by Elaine Marie
Joshua steps towards me just as the window in the back- corner shatters inward, throwing shards of glass throughout the air. It startles Jeremy and Joshua. Jeremy backs further into the opposite corner and Joshua runs towards the stairs.
Kato, Levi, Nate and his pack surround the room. As Jeremy focuses on them, I spring forward. My jaw widens and I clamp down on his arm tearing it from his body. He reaches around with his other arm and takes hold of my throat.
“You killed my father!”
He squeezes tighter, pinning me to the cold wall. The darkness fills with light and a vision of my father and mother kissing my forehead fogs my thoughts. They’ll never meet their grandchildren. I whimper and then change the course and become furious.
The rage inside me boils over and I place my front legs on his shoulder, pushing him back. I look deep into his soulless beady eyes and become judge and jury. Guilty! –His punishment is his life.
I clamp my jaw on the side of his head and claw through him, leaving nothing to identify him.
I step back breathless and satisfied. I glance around the room. Most of the wolves have left and light filters down the stairs.
“Nevaeh, are you okay?” Kato’s calm voice comes from behind me.
“I’m good,” I snarl, confused how destroying someone could lift a weight I’ve been caring around for so long.
“Nevaeh, listen to me. You are stronger than you think. Especially since you’ve changed. We need to get you home to heal.”
My breathing becomes more erratic and my legs feel weak. I need to know.
“Luci? Is Luci—” My body changes form and collapse to the ground.
Nineteen
KATO
“SHE’S BURNED OUT. I thought the change would help her, but she needs more.” I pace back and forth. “Luci, can you help her? You are the healer, aren’t you?” Guilt is written all over her face.
“I’m not sure if I can. Her body and mind have to accept the change,” She says and wipes a tear from her cheek. Levi joins her on the couch and pulls her hand into his.
“Take it easy on her Kato. She hasn’t been feeling well.”
Lucienne’s head snaps toward Levi and she is angry. I’ve never seen her so pissed off.
“What the hell do you know about me not feeling well?” Lucienne stands folding her arms against her chest.
“We’ll talk about it another time,” Levi replies shaking his head.
“Can we get back to the matter at hand?” As the words leave my lips, the front door to our home opens and the coven, along with Barbara Wolfe and the doctor, enters.
“Boys go check on something. I don’t care what. Let’s leave these young ladies in the proper care.” Mrs. Wolfe ushers us out, giving us no choice. When we climb down the stairs defeated, Nate and the boys are there to keep us company.
They push us toward the cars and we pull away as I stare back at the house hoping and praying for our family to be okay.
***
NEVAEH
I wake up to chanting. I’m surrounded by the coven. My mother’s spirit appears before me. She’s beautiful. I have her chin and her smile.
“Mommy…” A tear rolls down my face and I sob. She’s so beautiful, and I’ve missed so much time with her.
“It’s not your time, my dear. You are stronger than you think. Take one breath at a time and let your body heal.” Her soft glowing hand touches my cheek. I’ve never known love like this before.
“A mother's love can’t be explained. It’s deep devotion and sacrifice and even pain. It is endless and unselfish. Nothing can destroy it or take it away. I will always be here.” Her hand leaves my face and hovers over my stomach. “And soon you, too, will carry the mother’s love.”
Happiness fills my heart and my eyes close. I too will be a mother—a mother who will protect and endure all pain for whatever may come our way.
“Nev?” Luci’s voice trembles by my side. “Nev, I’m so sorry I can’t do it anymore.” She’s begging for forgiveness. I open my eyes and the coven surrounds us.
I push myself into a sitting position. “Luc, what? Tell me so I can help you.”
Her cries fill the air and it pulls at my heart. “I’m sick and there is no turning back. The treatment hasn’t worked. I’m dying. I can’t heal myself.”
I gasp and pull her into my arms squeezing her. I turn to the coven. “Can’t we help her?”
Each one looks to the floor except Ryann. She says, “We’ve done what we can. The rest is up to her.”
One by one they leave the house. There is nothing anyone can do. Why didn’t I see this coming? This is my entire fault. If I had learned to use my powers, I would have been able to stop my father from going out that night. If I had known how to use them, I would have gotten Luci help sooner.
Twenty
IT’S BEEN A FEW WEEKS of cleaning up puke and sleeping beside Luci. Some days are better than others. Levi has insisted on moving in and helping but I can’t draw myself away. No matter how many times Kato tells me to take a break.
Today is not a good day.
Luci asks me to leave and move on with my life. She says it’s time to let go. Levi storms out of the room because he loves her and can’t bear to see her give up. I can see it in his eyes.
“Luci, I will fight until my last breath to keep you here with me. You’re not only my cousin. You’re my best friend and I don’t want to live without you.” The tears drift down. I can’t lose her. I try and see what’s to come but at the same time, I’m scared to know.
“Take me to bed. I’m weak and tired.” Luci shifts on the couch and I hold out my hand. I walk Luci to her room and I tuck her in. She slips her phone from the nightstand and she sends Levi a message.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Can I get you anything?”
She shakes her head and rolls her exhausted body over. Once I know she is sleeping, I slide into my running shoes.
With my phone in hand, I shoot Kato a text: Send Levi. I need you.
Levi returns a few minutes later and nods as he walks past and into their room. I run up the sidewalk and onto the road. A few minutes go by before I notice Kato’s truck stopped ahead. He jumps out and runs toward me.
“Nev, is it Lucienne? Levi is losing his shit. Is there anything we can do? Are you okay?” he bursts out in one quick breath. I wrap my arms around his waist and the heat from his body engulfs me.
My body trembles against his. “No. It’s up to her. All we can do is wait.” My tears soak his shirt and my heart hurts for everything Luci may not live to see.
I pull back and look up, but my vision blurs before a bright light engulfs me.
The Catalinas line the walkway. I hear laughter in the back yard as I round the corner. Two girls sit playing. If I didn’t know any better, I could swear it was Luci and me.
They run around the yard catching butterflies, giggling and playing. I hear a chuckle and turn to the right. Levi stands with his arm around Lucienne, smiling. Luci squeezes tight around his waist giggling at the two little ones we’ve brought into this world.
“Catch them! Go get them, Tricia. You, too, Catalina!” she calls out to our girls. They extend their arms and the butterflies one by one begin to land. The giggling and laughter which escapes them fills my heart.
Kato moves up behind me and kisses my neck. “Back so soon?” he asks.
“Yeah. Ready for another one?” I nod towards the girls playing. He spins me around and holds me at arm’s length.
“Yeah?”
I nod confirming we are having another baby.
“Hey, Levi, you better get to work, or you’ll never catch up to us. Baby number two is in the oven!” he proudly calls out pulling me in tighter. Levi laughs as he comes over and shakes his hand.
Luci embraces me and whispers, “Me, too!”
I push her back. “Really?” She nods and we jump up and down with excitement.
“Kato?” My tears of sadness change to
happiness. I have seen the future and it’s as if I read it from a book. My powers are still with me even though I’m a wolf. Luci was wrong!
“Tell Levi not to give up on her. She loves him and she’s a fighter. She’ll be around for a long time.” I smile and wipe the tears away. He searches my eyes, holding me close.
“He would never give up on her. She’s his mate. Besides, how do you know?” he asks and I smile as he places his arm over my shoulder and we begin to walk.
“I just do.” My visions may not always be clear, and I may not have control over them. But I can’t blame myself for that. I can’t control someone else’s actions. Only my own. When Julia told me the truth will set me free, she was right. Knowing about my father and the truth of my family roots has set my powers free and allowed me to learn who I really am.
Regarding the punishing the wrong person…she got what she deserved. And I won’t continue to blame myself for the past. I couldn’t stop what happened, but I can look to the future.
My parents blessed me with gifts. Love for the family came from my father. The ability to look forward to the future came from my mother.
THE END
About Elaine
I’m a true Jersey girl at heart, and my accent and attitude are the only forms of proof there is that I originated from the Bronx. I currently reside in the beautiful Garden State—northern New Jersey—with my hubby, three amazing children and our dogs and cats.
I love football and hockey because who wouldn't (those uniforms!). In my spare time, I enjoy cheering on my kids during their after-school activities and reading.
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