Ties to the Blood Moon 2nd Edition Read online

  Following Luna’s directions it seemed as though we were headed straight toward a dilapidated fishery. The building sat next to the water beside a few broken down, decaying fishing boats. She had us park behind a tall bank to hide the Jeep from view of the factory and the road.

  “Why are they having a town council meeting here? Shouldn’t it be at, like, city hall or something? Isn’t that where towns have their town meetings?” I asked sardonically.

  Luna furrowed her brow. “Shh. Keep your voice down or they’ll hear us,” she whispered. “Stay down and follow me.” She then looked briefly over her shoulder at me. “Quietly.”

  I felt silly following Luna’s zigzagging motions, and thought maybe she’d watched Rambo a few too many times.

  When we got to the building my heart was pounding so hard I could feel the pulsing in my temples, which was giving me a major headache. We eased around to the back of the building. I had a sneaking suspicion Luna had done this before after spotting a few old crates strategically placed directly underneath a broken window.

  “When we get to the window you have to be super quiet,” she whispered.

  After nodding that I understood, we dropped to the ground and belly crawled until we were both by the crates. I swallowed hard when I heard a man’s voice shouting.

  “My people fought for peace for many years. There was too much bloodshed between the Lycan, Adlet wolves, and Blood Drinkers.”

  Luna tapped me on the shoulder. “That’s my grandfather talking,” she whispered.

  “When the pack of the Lycan rebels came, somehow, they were able to get past our warriors, standing guard. The Lycan only left after feeling certain they had killed everyone. Royal family, warriors and all. This is the way our tribe left it until someone betrayed our trust and told them of a female infant that had been safely smuggled out.

  “In my vision quest I was shown that the princess has returned, and the time is near when she will once again bring peace between our worlds.”

  “Do you think they know she is here?” I overheard a woman ask.

  “Who is that?” I tapped Luna on the shoulder, and mouthed the words.

  “My mother,” she whispered.

  “You’re not even certain Genevieve is the princess. Her life is in danger, and it might be for nothing.” My jaw dropped and it felt like all the blood raced away from my brain when I heard what my aunt was saying.

  “All the signs lead to her, and I know you have seen the book. Even the picture bares a family resemblance to her,” Miss Baylor said.

  “That picture could be anyone of a hundred people,” Bev snapped, but her voice wavered. “Gen hasn’t shown any signs of the transformation. It might not even be her. Why can’t one of the local daughters reign?”

  “Quiet,” Luna’s grandfather shouted. “Only a pureblood can ascend to the throne. We didn’t decide. The gods decided for us.”

  “Yes, Uncle, and the fire ceremony has proved that theory. It must be her,” Miss Baylor argued.

  “Everybody … please settle down.” Luna’s mother spoke calmly. “We all know there is one more test that will tell for certain. Have Annalisa perform the test, and if it proves that she is indeed the princess, we will start the preparations.”

  The long silence made me extremely nervous.

  “All right,” Aunt Bev uttered, sounding completely exhausted. “Perform the test. I won’t stand in the way.” She paused momentarily. “I will do whatever is needed to stop the killing.”

  Chapter 13

  I sat frozen in disbelief, still not believing what I’d overheard. My eyes were closed letting the cool air to seep into my skin when Luna suddenly jerked on my arm.

  “Come on,” she whispered harshly, dragging me behind. “We have to go before they find us out here.”

  We ran as fast as we could all the way back to the Jeep. We both jumped in and I didn’t bother taking the time to fasten my seatbelt; I just wanted out of there. It was becoming quite clear to me these people had gone mad.

  Luna didn’t talk as we headed toward her house, except to tell me she’d make sure to send the brothers to get their boat. From the corner of my eye I saw her taking sidelong glances at me off and on the whole way. A couple of times, she acted as if she was about to say something but stopped herself. She seemed almost angry about something.

  Finally, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Do they really believe all that stuff about Werewolves and vampires?” I asked.

  “Yes … they do. And so do I,” she said imperiously, glaring at me.

  I couldn’t wrap my head around all the things I had heard. It seemed like I had fallen asleep in L.A. and woke up in a fantasy realm in Alaska.

  “Are you mad at me?” I asked as we turned onto her road.

  “No,” Luna replied severely.

  “How do you expect me to believe all that crap?” I asked, not wanting to believe Luna was as crazy as the rest of the fine people of Haven.

  “I know it sounds crazy—”

  “Sounds crazy? It is crazy, Luna. You’ve all gone freakin’ mad.”

  “You have to see it with an open mind.”

  When I glanced at her, she had this look on her face, peaceful, like she’d been brainwashed. Kind of like Stepford wives, only way crazier. At least with that movie it was more believable because a lot of scientists had found evidence leading to the possibility that aliens existed. This was just stupid crazy. Everyone in their right mind knows werewolves and vampires are fictional monsters created to scare people.

  “I’ve read about what happens to people that live in a place where the sun never sets completely for months at a time. After a while they begin to lose touch with reality.”

  “I’m not crazy—none of us are crazy. I’ve lived my whole life hearing the stories and believing in the Adlet princess. It should be me ascending the throne, not some outsider … not you.”

  “Well, you can have it Luna because I don’t believe it and I don’t want it,” I snapped after losing my temper.

  We pulled into Luna’s driveway, and she opened the passenger door. Instead of getting out she stared out through the windshield like she was thinking about something, probably what I had said. Her eyes filled with tears. “Being the Adlet princess is not only a great honor, it’s also a huge responsibility. Whatever happens, I will not let you make a mockery of my people’s heritage.”

  She jumped out, slammed the door, and ran into her garage. I yelled for her to stop, but she didn’t even slow down.

  On the drive home my knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel as I thought about everything I’d overheard at that meeting, and what Luna had said. I’d seen movies about brainwashing, and wondered if that could have been the case.

  William’s image popped into my head. He seemed to be the closest thing to sane I’d found in Alaska. I heard the song “Kryptonite,” which was the ringtone I’d assigned to his name. I promptly dug my cell out of my pocket as soon as I pulled into my garage.

  You haven’t texted me. Are you still mad? : ( William wrote, adding a sad face. I was over being angry before I’d gotten out of his car, but I wasn’t quite ready to let him know that.

  I told you I’m not mad. That was the truth. I just wanted to make him wonder for a while.

  Then … what? You don’t want to see me anymore?

  No, I definitely do. The ever-popular butterflies had once again returned at the mere thought of seeing him.

  You wanna go on a picnic tomorrow? he texted.

  My heart raced faster with each message. I mentally drooled at the thought of being on a picnic with the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen. How could I refuse.

  Maybe. my trembling fingers wrote, but my mind screamed yes.

  Close enough.

  Close enough to what? I didn’t understand what he’d meant until he wrote right back.

  Did I forget to tell you? Maybe means yes. I’ll pick you up at noon. Bye. ; ) William replied within sec
onds and had thrown in the word ‘bye.’ My guess was he had done that just in case I might try to say no.

  The garage door slowly started to rise, and startled me. I realized Aunt Bev was back so I jumped out and ran in the house, not wanting her to know I had been anywhere.

  I ran to the den, scooped the remote from the end table, and flipped on the television while diving onto the couch all in one swift move. I had just gotten my breathing under control when I heard the kitchen door open and close.

  “Gen?” she called out from another room.

  I quickly hit the info button to read the name of whatever was on the TV, so if she asked what I was watching I’d know. E.T. was over and The People Under The Stairs was on.

  “I’m watching a movie,” I shouted. “You want to come watch it with me?” I asked, but secretly hoped she’d say no. I hated that movie; it gave me the creeps.

  She stuck her head around the corner. “No, thanks.” Her smile was sad and she appeared frazzled. “Can you come into the kitchen please?”

  I had no idea what she wanted unless maybe someone had seen my Jeep. “Uh … yeah, sure.” I was trying to come up with a lie that she would believe, just in case.

  When I rounded the kitchen door I stopped abruptly. Miss Baylor stood at the counter with her back turned to me. She was doing something but I couldn’t see what. I furrowed my brow. “What’s up?” I asked, shifting my glance between the two.

  “Annalisa is here to talk to you.” It quickly became apparent that Annalisa and Miss Baylor was the same person. I remembered hearing Luna’s mom say something about having “Annalisa” perform the test. I stood in the middle of the kitchen wondering if I should run away. It was clear beyond all doubt that Aunt Bev had also been in the sun too long and she believed in monsters.

  “Hello, Genevieve,” she smiled, opening her hand, arranging a series of small objects and different colored stones on the kitchen table. “Have a seat right here, please.” She patted the back of the chair in front of her

  I looked at Aunt Bev, pleading with my eyes, but I guess she didn’t notice.

  “Would either of you like a cup of jasmine tea?” Aunt Bev asked.

  That’s just great. Here I was stuck in the kitchen with two women, both who had obviously allowed the long lasting Alaskan sun to fry their brains, and my aunt was acting as though we were at a freaking tea party.

  “No thanks,” we both answered at the same time.

  “Genevieve—” Miss Baylor started to say something but I cut her off.

  “It’s Gen. Call me Gen,” I said severely.

  “Gen … see these objects I’ve laid out? I want you to pick three of them, any three you want.”

  “Then can I leave?”

  “Yes, then you can go … to your room,” Aunt Bev scoffed.

  I randomly picked two really fast, but for some reason I couldn’t decide on a third object, which I thought was great. If I didn’t pick a third, then it would mean I wasn’t the one they were looking for. “These are the only two that seem right. So … I guess I’m not who you thought I was, am I?” I smiled, feeling good about outsmarting her. Maybe now they would leave me alone.

  Satisfied I had gotten over on her, I started to push my chair away from the table when she stopped me.

  “As a matter of fact, you are exactly who I thought you were.”

  I suddenly felt nauseous. “Huh? You said pick three, but I only picked two.”

  “I know.” Miss Baylor picked up the two objects I had chosen, and when she placed them together they formed the base of a ring. She smiled broadly at my aunt.

  When I looked toward Aunt Bev, I could tell she was forcing herself to smile.

  “I don’t understand,” I stated.

  “I purposely asked you to pick three objects, but only the true princess would have been able to pick only two.” She held up the ring made from the two pieces I had chosen. “See? This is the ‘Blood Moon’ symbol.” She let it dangle between her thumb and finger. “This is the symbol marking the Adlet princess.”

  “I don’t believe it … and nothing you can say will convince me otherwise.” I stared at it briefly. “It sure is a funny looking ring with the big hole in the top.” I stood and folded my arms tightly across my chest.

  “Nothing?” Miss Baylor paused for a moment, then came around the table and stood next to me. “Bev, do you have a handheld mirror?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Without questioning her reasoning, Aunt Bev left the kitchen and came back a few minutes later holding a make-up mirror.

  “Nothing you can do with a mirror is going to change my mind. You’re both nuts.”

  “Trust me, Gen. Please.” She spoke in a calm even tone, holding out her hand for me to take, which I reluctantly did. I figured why not? I’d let her show me whatever it was she’d wanted to show me, but in the end it wouldn’t change a thing. I wasn’t the princess now, nor would I ever be.

  She led me through the den with Aunt Bev trailing behind. We stopped in front of the large mirror in the hall.

  “Pull all your hair up and hold it on top of your head.” Miss Baylor instructed.

  I shook my head and shrugged, but still did what she asked. She gently placed her hands on my shoulders and turned my back to the large mirror, and signaled for my aunt to give her the smaller one.

  “Look in the mirror at the reflection of the back of your neck,” she instructed.

  I glanced at first, not expecting to see anything. I then quickly did a double-take, looking harder. I stared in disbelief at a faint tattoo-like picture beginning to form on the back of my neck. I rubbed it hard with my hand, thinking somehow they’d drawn it and I could erase it. In the end, all I managed to do was make my neck really red, and the picture was still there. My jaw still hung open when I looked at Miss Baylor.

  “The closer time gets to the blood moon, the clearer the mark of royalty will become.”

  “But—” I floundered and trailed off, not really knowing what to think or say. I was lost in thought when a loud banging at our front door startled me. Aunt Bev’s head spun toward the door, and when the banging came again, she went answer it.

  “Wait,” Miss Baylor shouted at her, before turning to me.“Put your hair down,” Miss Baylor whispered appearing quite panicked. “You must not show or tell anyone. Do you understand?” She placed her hands on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes.

  “Why not?” I asked confused.

  “Your life will be in danger if anyone finds out. Remember … show no one,” she whispered firmly.

  Chapter 14

  My aunt answered the door and I heard a familiar male voice. His voice sounded panicked and I heard him saying something about Luna.

  I saw Luna’s twin, Joseph, when me and Miss Baylor hurried into the foyer.

  “What is it, Joseph?” Miss Baylor asked.

  “It’s Luna,” He said very agitated. “She’s disappeared into the woods … we have to find her.”

  “I’m sure she’s fine, Joseph. You know she does this all the time when you boys upset her.”

  “Not this time. She went into … the dark part of the woods.”

  “She knows that part of the woods is dangerous. It’s Lycan territory. What would compel her to go there?” Miss Baylor searched Joseph’s eyes.

  Joseph looked briefly at me, and I could tell he knew where Luna and I had gone earlier. I quietly shook my head at him and mouthed the word please while he had my aunt’s and Miss Baylor’s attention.

  “I don’t know,” he lied. “She was upset about something, but she wouldn’t say what.”

  They all three looked at me. “I don’t have a clue where she is.” Which was the truth. I really didn’t know where she went, but I’m sure everything that happened tonight had a lot to do with why she ran away.

  “Where are your brothers?” Miss Baylor asked.

  “They’ve already gone searching. Dusk will be here soon.” His gaze shifted away from Miss
Baylor, to me and Aunt Bev, then back to Miss Baylor. “We have to hurry.”

  “I’ll go with you,” I said to Joseph.

  “No.” he said, not unkindly. His gaze was hard at first, but then his large golden eyes softened. “It’s not safe for you out there.”

  “I don’t care. It’s … my fault she ran away.” She had wanted to be the “chosen one” more than anything, and maybe she felt like if I hadn’t come to Haven she could have been. I would have gladly given it to her if I could, but unfortunately for me I was pretty sure it didn’t work that way.

  “Stay here,” he demanded before disappearing through the sliding glass door.

  I tried to run after him, but by the time I got to the door he had disappeared. I stood at the open glass doors, with my arms wrapped around myself, staring out toward the lake. Tears stood in my eyes when I thought about Luna out there with God only knew what.

  Miss Baylor left a few minutes later, promising to let us know as soon as they found Luna.

  My mind raced. I had to help find her, and I had an idea. “I’m going to my room,” I told Aunt Bev.

  “Do you want to talk about anything first?”

  I shook my head and walked past her to the stairs. I glanced back at her and forced a smile that fell away quickly. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  When I got to my room, I quickly figured out how to remove the screen from my window. I made sure to turn up my music to make sure she couldn’t hear me sneaking out.

  It turned out to be quite easy. When I climbed onto the lower roof and peered over the edge, it looked to be a bit higher than I originally thought. The temperature was dropping quickly. I climbed back in and grabbed a hoodie. Before leaving again, I yelled downstairs to tell Aunt Bev I was going to bed. That’s what I did almost every night, so I felt sure she didn’t suspect anything. I stuffed clothes and pillows under my covers to ward off Aunt Bev, just in case she got nosy, then grabbed my flashlight, and out the window I went.

  Inside the thick tree line behind my house it was dark and very frightening, but I couldn’t risk Aunt Bev seeing the illumination from my flashlight. I fumbled my way through the woods, running into briars and tripping over roots or rocks—I wasn’t sure which— and kept looking back until I could no longer see the lights from my house.