Twice Awakened

Chapter 30

We all went into the heart of the base, games of dunk tank, ring toss, and similar games. We all laughed, joked, and played around. Vlad turning to me smiling, his smile lighting up my night. We were having fun releasing stress, just as so many surrounding us did.

Benni had made his usual jokes but this time Alex made a little deal. If Benni got up on the dunk tank and Alex could hit the target, Benni had to quite joking on Alex. Benni took the deal. Alex had gotten cocky and Vlad shook his head laughing at the two. I decided to make things a little more interesting, since I had learned to cast without speaking. As Alex threw the ball at the bullseye I had it swerve a bit, missing the target. Derek tried, same thing. Each guy missing.

The deal was if they hit the bullseye, not saying it had to be by the ball. I watched amused by the ordeal, the men puzzled by how they had all missed. Even Liz and Matty tried except I didn’t use magic with them, they missed on their own. Benni taunted each one, laughing as each had missed. My turn, smiling at Benni, he made a snarky remark. I c****d my head sideways as he plummeted in the tank. Everyone laughing as they had realized I had been playing a trick of my own.

Benni, shot up sputtering.

“A deal...cough….is a deal.” He grinned.

We won little prizes and trinkets, I felt at ease, but at the same time I felt a little uneasy for the talk at the end of the night. His words replayed in my head over and over. I smile knowing I had his support no matter the situation.

We stopped and had stewed apples dusted with brown sugar, cotton candy, hot apple cobbler with fresh vanilla ice cream, and a few other yummy foods. Vlad seemed a bit distant and I couldn’t help but feel I had pushed him away. Guilt dancing through me again as I watch the children run through with little streamers laughing. Maybe I should give up my wedding dream, he was my mate but the soon to be on Luna eerked and nagged at me. I fought myself numerous times with what ifs and reasons. Lost in thought I hadn’t realized I had been left standing by myself. Coming back to realization I had glanced around, too many people swarmed the streets to pick out where they had gone.

I went and sat at the nearest picnic table, glowing lanterns lighting pathways and stalls. Maybe he’s having fun without me. Maybe he just got tired of my insecurities. s**t I was tired of my own insecurities. Looking around one last time and not locating any one from my group I walk to the maple by the river. The glow was dim there and I could look at the stars. Sitting in the grass by the river’s edge. I watched the stars, my mind clearing. I looked at the water and began to play. Water men dressed in suits twirled ladies sin beautiful ball gowns dancing and swaying. I placed my arms on my knees, and my chin on my crossed arms. The men and women changed to a ballerina dancing, leaping, and twirling.

I missed ballet but I quit 8 months ago. Without my Earth parents I lost motivation to go. What was the point when you would just be criticized by your peers, daggers shot at you, whispers behind your back. The ballerina had shared my emotions as she fell to her knees. Sobbing in her hands as vile looking creatures hissed and jabbed at her from behind. She reaches out for help, everyone moving back away from her. I stand up, pissed at myself, smacking the water causing the droplets to shatter all around.

“You know you’re cute when you’re mad?” A familiar but strange voice came from behind. The voice belonged to the horndog second commander from the other day. I had unnumbered praying Vlad still gave a damn. Anger, confusion, and fear pulsed through me as my heart hammered.

“I do not think my mate would like that.” I held my ground. He chuckles looking around as no one was around, screaming was useless with all the commotion, I had to stand my ground, or wait for the opportunity to run. His face carried an eerily scary grin. He smelled of ale, and seemed as if he had no cares. He walked forward causing me to step back.

“Oh the wanna be Luna is scared of me? What a pity. You would think if your mate truly cared he would be beside you. He wouldn’t let you be mocked behind your back. You can’t be a Luna without marriage. You sit here as your mate runs around happy as you sit here broken.” My thoughts run rampart at his remark. He runs at me catching me off guard, slamming into me, grabbing my throat, and slamming against the tree. Pain surging through my back as the bark scratches and tears into my dress. Silver wrapped around his wrist burning my hands as I try to pry his fingers from me. He trailed his hand up my leg, kicking at him, I finally had enough aiming my palm at him.

“All you will ever be is his little whore.” My vision seared red from anger, my heart raging against my chest, I was close to losing control. Pain tormenting my lungs as I try to breath. “Any last words, w***e?”

“I have a few, get your f*****g hands off my mate.” I could hear him as a distant echo. I had hit an extreme high with my anger. My heart pounding in my ears. Control it control it control it. I repeated. Fighting to hang on, as a taunt he slammed me against the tree once more the silver dangled. Without realizing I had teleport ed behind him. Anger had pooled my eyes. Red was only to be seen. Vlad tried time and time again trying to get through. The man turned with horror on his face as a smile appears. Striking him sending him flying into the tree. He tried to come back at me as my anger raged higher. I could feel Vlad grabbing me. Yanking myself from him I began to fight for control again.

“Stay away!” My voice was laced with another. Vlad shook his head and kept trying to catch me. As his back turned to the man, he made his move striking Vlad with the chain. Vlad whipping to the man only to see a light wrap the man. Dropping the chain I smash him against the tree, crushing him slowly, Vlad wrapping me.

“Control Anya Control it. This is not you Anya control it!” I release the light lasso. The man falling to the ground, scrambling, hurt, and lesson learned as leaders had gathered, seeing the bloody mess of the attack that covered Vlad’s back and all over myself. The silver droplets trickling off my hands, down my back, and spots around my neck. His leader having him ripped up, screaming as he’s dragged away.

“Anya, please come back to me. You can control it. Listen to me. Please.” My anger dwindled, fear returning, pain. I looked at Vlad straight in his face.

“I am nobody’s w***e and I shall die before I ever face being one.” My words were cold, and haunting. Wriggling away from Vlad I took off. I had to get my head straight. The words of the man repeating. Slipping out of sight I stayed hidden, teleporting to our little hut. I stood looking in the mirror as the red in my left eye was accompanied by black. I watch as it leaves returning the red crimson color and my right staying silver. I could feel his heart shattering, his fear his anger, and confusion. I felt disgusting from where the man had touched me. Healing every spot I could. Ripping the dress off of me, I sat and scrubbed my skin. A towel around me as I hit my knees, and sob. Feeling arms wrapping me, the heartbeat I longed to hear every night, tears cascading my face. Kisses covering my face.

“Anya breath baby breath. I am here. I am sorry. I am here. Baby please.” I hiccup as I gain control of my tears. Control of the guilt I felt as the man had touched me. “You did nothing wrong. You are safe. You are in control. You controlled it. I am ok.” He repeated as he pulled my face up to look into his eyes. When I hurt he hurts, when I am sad he is sad, happy, mad, he matches me. Our bond has become extremely strong. Every event strengthening and bracing it more.

“Are you ok?” I nod and he embraces me. Kisses trailing all over my face. “I’ll go grab you clothes.” He grabs a dress that V-ed open from my knees down. He had chosen my ball gown. “I want to show you something. Please forgive me for not being there beside you, I had lost you in the crowd and I was foolish. Please come with me, I need you to see something.” He pleads as he hits his knees facing me. Numbed by everything I sat there motionless. Never interacting back.

“There is nothing to forgive for you have done nothing wrong. I am your mate not your warden. You do not have to be by my side every minute. You have done nothing wrong.” my voice was a mere whisper. Sadness and fear swirled in my eyes. “I will come with you. I am your mate and support any decision you make.” He helps me dress. As he manages to get me tug me around the corner. Looking up I saw everyone’s eyes, full of sadness, tears streaming even the men's faces. I had managed to connect to all of them. They felt all my pain as I screamed and sobbed as I scrubbed, as I tore the dress away, they felt my sorrow. Vlad’s arms wrapping me first, then each one surrounding us. I felt love drown out my sorrow, I felt the pain from my insecurities seep away. They had surged me back with how much they cared for me, how much each one loved me. Finally hugging Vlad back he knew I was in control again. He knew he was forgiven.

“Let’s go! I have to show you!” He smiled softly.