Northwood

Light.

After the darkness he had just been through it felt like an oasis. It felt like freedom. It felt like life.

His eyes cracked open a small bit as his head spun wildly. His vision blurred as his eyes opened and closed rapidly.

“I’m alive?” His question rang through the silence as he pulled himself to a sitting position. “I can’t be alive....” He muttered as a million thoughts and memories came rushing back.

He had died. Adline needed for him to die so that she could trap Nox.

“Indeed you are alive,” came a voice that sounded as old as time itself.

Surprised and suddenly a little frightened Kane looked around and found he was alone. Or at least it looked like he was alone. His vision cleared bit by bit as he stumbled to his feet.

“Patience child.” Called the elderly voice again. “You must have patience.” silence fell again as Kane pushed himself up and fell headlong into the trunk of a tree. “If you don’t have patience you must learn it,” the withered voice called again.

“Who are you?” Kane called as he steadied himself against a tree and rubbed his head. Why did he feel so bad. “Are you here to kill me?”

His question was met with a gentle giggle, “my dearest child it is because of me that you live.”

Many questions soon formed in Kane’s mind, the foremost being was she good or bad.

“You needn’t fear me Kane. I am here to help you.” He heard her words and suddenly found himself understanding who she was.

The more he thought about the person speaking to him the more his vision cleared and his muscles strengthened. It was as though she breathed life into him with each fleeting thought he had.

“You are the goddess? The sister of Nox. You are the woman that we pray to

" He put the pieces of the puzzle together as he pushed himself up off of the tree and stood firmly on his own two feet.

“Say my name,” she whispered softly. Her voice different somehow.

“You are Luna,” his voice was strong and certain. “You are the Moon Goddess.” In an instant he felt strength, he felt heat, he felt life and as he glanced around turning in all directions he saw her. He saw the woman many of his kind called mother.

She stood a fair distance from him draped in fine silks and chiffon, she seemed to float above the ground gently. A soft but radiant glow emanated from within her as her pale skin glistened with the soft light of a thousand stars. Her pale white hair hung around her shoulders and she’d wrapped it around her neck like a scarf. Kane found himself in awe of her presence and beauty.

“Goddess,” he dropped to his knees. He had never heard of anyone meeting her before. She was a celestial body. How was she on earth?

“Rise Kane. Do not dirty yourself by bowing in the mud. I do not require subservience.” Before he couldove Kane felt a strange energy fill him.

He watched as his limbs moved gently of their own accord and soon he found himself standing.

“There is no need to fear me Kane. I will not hurt you,” Luna ensured him again.

“Why am I alive?” He asked her curiously. What did she have planned for him?

“Adline has taken on an important role that will see your kind safe from harm for the time being.”

Just the mention of her name sent a shiver of delight down his spine. The anticipation of seeing Adline again excited him in the most primal way.

“She cannot carry that burden alone nor can she carry it forever.”

Though he heard the words Luna spoke one thing was now solely on his mind.

“Giving you life does not come without compromise however.”

He suddenly found himself focused on Luna as the thought of being reunited with Adline diminished a little. “Compromise?” He questioned her carefully.

“Nox will seek a way to escape. He is wily and wicked,” Kane didn’t need reminding of just how wicked he was. “with this life I have no choice but to give with it immortality.”

Her words floored Kane as he stumbled. It felt as though he had been hit with a sledgehammer.

“If you choose to accept this life you will be entrusted with making sure Nox never escapes.”

“And what if he does?” Kane asked again.

“You will be tasked with capturing him again.” Luna responded quickly. “It will be a constant burden for you but know that by accepting this challenge your kind will forever flourish.”

Kane’s brow knitted in confusion. What was he to do? More than anything he wanted to love bit could he live a full life babysitting a rock?

“What about Adline?” His thoughts again turned to his mate. “She is not immortal. She will die eventually.” And with that he knew a piece of himself would die too.

“Worry not Kane. She will be alive forever in one form or another.” His head snapped up and saw a smile grace Luna’s lips. What did she mean? “Do you accept what I offer you my son?”

Though it seemed a devious way to keep her brother imprisoned it seemed a far better prospect than death. Again.

“I shall carry this burden for eternity,” he responded with both joy and sorrow.

“Off you go Kane Northwood. Your mate awaits you and her flame still burns brightly for you.”

Luna smiled and nodded her head at Kane ad he stood and took off running. A new life. A long life but at least it would be a life he’d get to share with the woman he loved.