The Land Of Shadows (5 page)

Luna instinctively clings to me and buries her face in my chest as I carry her away. Shivers run through me and they match Luna’s trembling body. I can’t remember when last our bodies touched like this. It’s been too long.

A safe distance away she swings her body out of my arms. From damsel in distress to fighter in one move, that’s the girl I know.

“Thank you for getting me out of there. I will be all right, but you should get back before you are in trouble with Raighne as well.” When I get too close to her she takes a tentative step back. I’m not used to seeing her in such a vulnerable state.

“Just in case you have not noticed, I almost took down his door and went against him to get you out. I think it is safe to say he is already upset with me.” I clear my throat to try and gain control over my rampant emotions. Holding Luna so close and having to let her go again, it takes more strength than I thought I had.

Luna shifts her weight from one foot to the other, not sure how to respond now that we’re alone and she can’t bite my head off. The fact that I used my talents in front of everyone to help her must count for something.

“What happened back there? Why did you panic like that?” I throw my usual sarcasm and trainer voice out the window and for now, I’m the Storm I was in the desert, the one I seldom get to be lately.

Anger flashes across her face but it’s gone as fast as it came. It’s replaced with longing and I clench my jaw not to reach out to her.
She still feels something for me! I can see it in her eyes.

“I am being so silly.” Luna’s voice is wistful and she giggles stupidly, something that doesn’t suit her at all.

“Luna?” My heart skips a beat. She looks so normal, not a trace of aggression on her face. I give in and reach for her. When she doesn’t pull away, I take my chance and pull her into my embrace. Oh Awo, it feels so good to hold her in my harms. My heart cracks as I inhale her. She smells like the wildflowers you find in the valley. I reach for her cheek, but it only causes her to pull away from me again. My whole body screams at the rejection but I keep my face impassive.

She attempts a smile and I take what I can get. “It has been a long day. I am going to get cleaned up. Thank you for helping me back there.” And just like that Luna turns and walks away.

“Meet me at sundown in the forest,” I call after her. “You owe me for saving your backside twice. I will collect then.” She doesn’t stop to show that she hears me.

~*~

Luna~

The sun colors the sky purple as it settles in the West. I know Storm wants to meet but he will have to wait. I watch as Alchera makes for the lush green hills. It’s home to the trees that reach high into the sky. Just over the hill there is a nice spot that makes for an easy entrance to the great forest and whatever lies beyond its borders. She uses the entrance often, as most of us do.

Alchera got her hero’s celebration when she brought the “Chosen Ten” here, but now the nightmares have built a wall between her and the villagers. I can see they blame her for their own restless nights. They hold her responsible for their dreams that wake them and their frayed nerves during the day. They have quickly forgotten all she has done. But I have not! She will always be the bravest person I know.

I follow close so I can hear when she talks to herself. I’ve noticed her doing that a lot. We share that and I guess talking to yourself is something you do when you’re all alone and don’t really have someone who will listen and not judge. I’ve never been close enough to hear the exact words. Today I want to know what she talks about, and how she feels.

Alchera’s whisper drifts through the forest. “Elora, I miss your golden light and guidance in my life. The short time I knew you has left a hole in my heart. You, Aurian and Father have left me with these shadows inside. Soon … I’m afraid they will consume me.” She sounds as lost as she looks. I hope to change that tonight.

Alchera stops at the foot of a great tree. The forest is bursting at the seams with them, and further on they grow taller where the forest grows darker. The roots creep like fingers across the ivy-covered ground. Many ferns, cycads, orchids, and beautiful, mystical plants fill the forest. Our surroundings are breathtaking, but I can only focus on Alchera.

She places her hand on a liana vine crawling up the side of the enormous tree. I find a good hiding spot behind a big tree and swallow a warning when she begins her climb. I myself like the high tops of the trees, but Alchera’s so fragile. I fear what one fall can do to her.

My eyes must be tricking me because as Alchera makes herself comfortable on a branch, color returns to her gaunt features. It’s almost as if she is feeding off the tree for strength. Seconds later my mouth is hanging open when, for a brief moment, she looks like her old self again.

“Oh, Sid, without you, Raighne and dear ole’ Mother Nature I don’t know where I would be right now.” Alchera stares out into the faint starry sky and I follow her gaze. “But to know everyone’s gone and that I’m responsible for it…,” she shakes her head and pulls her knees to her chest, “has become unbearable.”

I can’t believe she holds herself responsible! It was all Adeth’s evil doing. She killed King Eryon and Aurian and, as for Elora, it was her time. She sacrificed herself for her destiny. I bite my tongue to keep from saying something I might regret.

“Carter, I need to talk to you so very much! My dreams are scaring me to death and I can see how it’s distressing the villagers. Everyone’s edgy. I can’t very well force myself to dream of rainbows. I see how they blame me for their restless nights.” Alchera drops her head and I swallow the lump in my throat. The longing in her voice is unmistakable. If only she knew what I saw.

“Please talk to me, Carter. I know you can hear me. We were best friends. I can’t believe that you’re just gone. Please!” A murky tear rolls down her cheek and I bite my own back.

Alchera sighs and her shoulders droop. She wipes tiredly over her face and starts to climb down. When she reaches the ground, she looks in my direction. “Is someone there?” I freeze and only the nocturnal life of the forest replies. I dare a quick peek and for a brief moment make eye contact with just as Alchera moves to the ground and looks in my direction. “Luna, I can see your hair.”

Ugh, always a dead giveaway. I pull a quirky face at being caught red-handed before stepping out of my hiding place to face Alchera.

“I did not mean to disturb you. I was passing by when I saw you climb the tree. I was only–” I stop in mid-sentence and wave my hand as the words to explain my presence elude me.

Alchera walks closer and surprises me with a smile. I really thought she was going to let me have it for spying on her. “You seem a little upset, Luna. Is there something I can help with?” I battle to gather my scattered thoughts. Should I tell Alchera about the flashes I’ve seen of her, and of Carter?

“Luna?” Alchera moves closer still and I know I have to say something.

“Storm will drive me to insanity!” I blurt out. It’s the first thing that comes to mind. “And in class today–” I catch myself before I complain about Raighne. He is her husband, after all. “The girls sit and giggle while we have to train. There is no time to talk about celebrations and graduations. All they think and talk about are men, men, men … and silly dresses! If I have to hear Storm, Rue or Arbor’s–” I take a breath, “or my
own
brother’s name one more time, I might just kill someone! I should–” It feels good to talk to Alchera, even if it’s about such a trivial matter.

“It is bad enough I have to tolerate being placed second to them. Stars, give me strength! Arbor cannot even do
half
of what I can but just because he is destined to take over from Alder, everyone thinks he is the best.” I take a deep breath. I can feel the energy rushing through me.

“My sweetest Luna, you’re a young woman. Don’t you think you’re pushing yourself a bit too hard? You should be enjoying yourself, not worrying.” My mouth drops open. Alchera is calling me sweet?

“Look at me. Why are you not scared of me?” I have to know how she sees me. Everyone else makes it clear that they don’t like me much.

“Is there a reason I should fear you, Luna?” Alchera breathes a heavy sigh that resonates all the way to the deepest parts of my soul.

“I want to say no with all of my heart, but …” Taking one step closer to her I decide to take a chance and trust Alchera. “My talent might be able to save you Alchera, but at the same time it will hurt you.” I try to think of a better way to explain it to her. “This is so hard! There is a reason why I keep my distance from everybody. It is not just because I am an outcast–”

“Luna, I worry about you. You’re too young to be thinking of things like talents and destinies. Enjoy your life first!” Her interruption throws me a bit and my temper rears its ugly head. Everyone treats me like a child.

“How can you say that? I am only a year and few months younger than you. Look at all you had to do at the age of eighteen. I’m already twenty four! I know–” I bite into my bottom lip to stop myself from saying too much too soon. Alchera caught my slip up, and frowns at me.

“What were you going to say, Luna?” For a moment there is a spark of the old Alchera flashing in her eyes.

“I meant to say … I am not a child anymore. I know what dangers are out there.” Alchera gives me a steady look. Her eyes are clouded with horrible shadows. I know she hates making eye contact, scared of what people will see in her eyes. Even the villagers are too scared to look at her. They still believe they can ignore the Shadowlands and what lies beyond its borders – the place that is mirrored in Alchera’s dark gaze.

“And what’s out there?” Alchera keeps her voice as impartial as possible, but still the tremor slips through.

“I know what you fear, Alchera. I see it too.” There! I’ve said it. There’s no taking it back now.

“What do you mean?” Her face turns ashen with shock.

My heart feels like the very life is being squeezed right out of it. I don’t want her to think badly of me! I want to win her trust. I hope I’m doing the right thing by telling her.

“Your dreams, Alchera. I see them. I see his face. I hear his voice.” How on Vaalbara am I going to explain it to her without her thinking I’m insane?

“But, we don’t share a bond. Raighne is my guardian.” I can see she’s trying to figure it out for herself. “How’s it even possible?”

“It is part of my destiny, Alchera. The night of the Celestial moon I asked for your afflictions to be made mine so I can help you. I thought sharing in your pain would make things easier for you. It is my destiny to stop him. I know I can!” At first my voice trembles, but I end with so much confidence she just has to believe me.

“You know no such thing. No one does!” Panic masks Alchera’s face and she steps right up to me. She catches me off guard as she grabs a hold of my hand.

My energy streams through her hand and into her body. Not even a second passes before Alchera is forced to her knees by the blast of power surging through her. My vision tunnels until my full focus is on her. I can hear the shadows screeching as they retreat from the invasion of my light into Alchera’s body. They claw at her mind as they try to hold their control on her, but my essence is stronger.

Alchera opens her mouth to say something, but the only sound she utters is that of a snake hissing. Her nails claw deep into my skin as her grip tightens on my hand.

“
Let her go!
” Alchera’s voice sounds hollow and eerie, as if it’s not her own. She slumps over and starts to gag on something that looks like black sludge. I try to yank away from her, but it’s Alchera who is holding on and her grip is surprisingly strong.

“You are holding onto me! You have to let go.” Alchera glances up at me, panic and fear filling her eyes. I try to break the link once more. I’m starting to feel fatigue closing in on me as my essence rushes to Alchera. I can only give her so much without my moon being out to replenish me! The same weakness from the other night washes through me and I fall to my knees in front of Alchera. I’m just about to plead with Alchera when it happens again - I feel her pain. A bright light flares up between us. My body collapses to the ground while my spirit is sucked towards Alchera. When the flash fades, I’m looking at my unconscious body from Alchera’s eyes. Somehow I’ve slipped into her mind!

‘I can’t let go. It feels like I’m fused to her. Today I’ll die by Luna’s hand!’
Her mind is a foggy bank. A thick swirling mist is all I can see.

‘Let go. Please, let go.’
A voice whispers to her through the mist. It’s tainted with despair. It doesn’t sound like the hollow eerie voice Alchera spoke with.

‘Carter?’
Alchera’s voice trembles under the strain of the light, but she focuses everything she has left in order to find him in the mist.

‘You have to let go, or you will die.’
There is no mistaking it is Carter.

‘Where are you? Come back to me.’
Alchera doesn’t hold back anymore. I feel her longing for Carter and her emotions feel like my own.

‘Let go!’
His voice is clearer now, sending strength through her aching body.
‘Please, let go. Look what you are doing to Luna.’

Alchera turns her head to me and sucks in a weak breath at the sight. It feels weird to see myself through her eyes. My face is a shimmering gray and my eyes are the lightest shade of violet beneath full black lashes. Against the black clothes I despise wearing so much, I look breakable, as if I might shatter into a thousand pieces at any moment.