Chapter 42:
Unknown Woman: “What are we going to do now? How do we go back? Our Prince needs us, we’ve been stuck here for over a week now and our people are dying.”
Unknown Man: “I know but the most important question is how did she do it? How is this possible? How did we end up here?”
Unknown Woman: “Should we just go talk to her, maybe she’ll help.”
Unknown Man: “I don’t think she willingly brought us here but if she could help us fight our war, if she’ll be on our side…she’ll change everything.”
Unknown Woman: “Then let’s go talk to her.”
Unknown Man: “No. She has a family here. Why would she willingly go with us?”
Unknown Woman: “Then what’s the plan?”
Unknown Man: “I’m gonna force her to open the door, you’re gonna go back with her.”
Unknown Woman: “You can’t force her. She’s way too powerful to be controlled by any of us. Even the spirits were scared to whisper about her. It took us a week to find her.”
Unknown Man: “That’s why I’ll have to tap into the very depth of my powers.”
Unknown Woman: “It’ll get you killed.”
Unknown Man: “I know but we don’t have any other choice.”
Unknown Woman: “You’re the last of your kind, there would be no whisperer then we won’t be able to connect with the spirit realm and if she came with me she won’t be able to come back here.”
Unknown Man: “I’m aware but our world needs all the help we can get.”
Unknown Woman: “Mhm. (the next day in the woods)”
Phoenix: “The prophecy that bound us together has come to an end and our task has been fulfilled. It’s been an honor to stand by your side and see the prophecy come true.”
Amara: “I’m forever grateful for your guidance and unwavering support. You all have played a pivotal role in bringing about this momentous event. Your commitment and loyalty have not gone unnoticed. We all faced trials and tribulations. I acknowledge the sacrifices you’ve made to fulfill this prophecy. I, as the last heiress of Arnoha, declare that you all are free from everything that binds you to this prophecy. I hereby release you from your tasks and responsibilities. You’re no longer compelled to follow its path. You have the freedom to choose your own path. Whether you live freely in this realm or journey to the spirit realm to be reunited with your loved ones, the choice is yours.”
Circe: “I miss my dear departed family for so long. The spirit realm beckons me and I long to embrace them once more.”
Hermes: “I too yearn to join my ancestors.”
Amara: “Go forth and be reunited with your loved ones. Your service to this prophecy has been fulfilled and your souls deserve peace and solace.”
In Amara’s head: I raise my hand and a soft, radiant light envelops all three of them. Their forms start to fade gently, and a serene smile graces their faces. They dissolve into the light, vanishing into the spirit realm.
Amara: “So what’s your plan now?”
Vasileios: “I think I’m gonna figure it out on my journey.”
Amara: “Where would you go?”
Vasileios: “I don’t know yet.”
Amara: “Let me change the question. Will you ever return?”
Vasileios: “If destiny allowed me to.”
Amara: “I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.”
Vasileios: “Thank you.”
Amara: “Of course. (in the living room)”
Ryan: “Are you still having that strange feeling?”
Amara: “Yes, but I’m fine. (unknown building)”
Unknown Man: “I’m ready, are you?”
Unknown Woman: “Yes, let’s do this.”
Unknown Man: “Tell my prince I kept my promise. For our people and honor of My Blood Oath and for Alrhena.”
Unknown Woman: “For Alrhena. (Ryan’s living room)”
In Amara’s head: Something’s wrong. My head.
Amara: “Ahhhh…”
Ryan: “Amara? What’s happening?”
Amara: “Get away!”
Ryan: “What?! No!”
Amara: “Stay back! Ahhhh!! (the unknown woman grabs Amara and vanishes)”
Ryan: “AMARA!! (one month later on the balcony)”
In Ryan’s head: What’s this feeling again?! (in the living room)
Ryan: “Nothing…again. (portal opens). Amara…”
Amara: “NOOOO!!”
Ryan: “Hey, hey…it’s okay. It’s me. You’re safe. I’m here, you’re home now.”
Amara: “They’re all…they’re all dead because of me.”
Ryan: “Just breathe. Amara…baby!! Shit. (in the bedroom)”
Rita: “She’s fine, just exhausted.”
Ryan: “Fine? Her body is full of scars. She was screaming like she had just witnessed the most horrific sight of her life.”
Rita: “I believe she was there for longer than we think. And whatever place she was, for us it’s been a month but looking at her I can tell it wasn’t a month for her. Do you smell that? She has a different scent on her body. It’s not our world or time. We have to wait for her to wake up. (later that night)”
In Amara’s head: How long was I out? My head…
Jamila: “Diavolo, your coffee. Who the fuck are you?”
Amara: “Oh, I’m the person you brought the coffee for, I’m his mate.”
Jamila: “No you’re not. If you’re his mate then why don’t I see mating marks on him? And there’s another male’s scent on you. And why can’t my wolf pick up the scent of your wolf? Are you even a wolf or are you delusional? You know what? It doesn’t matter, leave the room. I’ve spent these hours with him alone for the past month and he loves to have a coffee at this time, especially the one that I make.”
Amara: “What happened? You don’t want to say anything? Speak!! (Ryan runs in)”
Ryan: “Amara…leave her. What happened?”
Amara: “Are you saving her from me?”
Ryan: “No, I’m saving you from yourself. You’ll regret doing it later.”
Amara: “I won’t, I wanna kill her and you’re coming in between that. Is she that special to you? Was I gone that long that you started sleeping around again?”
Ryan: “What? What are you talking about, love?”
Amara: “You’re saving her from me after everything I’ve been through. Do you know what I fucking did to get back here? To get back to you?”
Ryan: “No and that’s why I need you to tell me. Please.”
Amara: “Fuck it. Enjoy your fucking coffee. (Amara teleports out)”
Ryan: “Amara…?!”
Ryan’s Mindlink: “Luca, come to my room now.”
Ryan: “You have ten minutes. Pack your shit and get the fuck out of my pack.”
Jamila: “What? What did I do? She was a psycho bi-”
Ryan: “If one more word leaves that filthy mouth of yours I’ll rip out your tongue. She’s my mate and you made her upset and because of you she’s gone again. I’ll gladly kill anyone who’ll try to come between me and her.”
Luca: “Yes alpha?”
Ryan: “Get her out of my fucking territory.”
Luca: “Yes alpha.”
Ryan’s Mindlink: “Walter, get your men and search everywhere.”
Walter’s Mindlink: “What are we searching for?”
Ryan’s Mindlink: “Amara. She got upset and went somewhere.”
Walter’s Mindlink: “On it.”
In Ryan’s head: Where did you go, love? Damon’s grave, maybe. (The Seyah’s place)
Amara: “Seyah…!!
The Seyah: “What? Are you here to murder me?”
Amara: “I’m done asking you what didn’t you tell me. No wonder your serpent, you trul-”
The Seyah: “I’m deeply wounded by your words, heiress.”
Amara: “Oh, I fucking dare you to laugh.”
The Seyah: “Fine, you know there are things I can’t tell you.”
Amara: “You said you can’t go back to your own world which means you can’t really travel between worlds but you can travel through time. So why didn’t you tell me that I’ve also been given this cursed ability?”
The Seyah: “Last time you came, I told you to not be afraid of your gifts…to embrace yourself. I gave you hints about how powerful you are.”
Amara: “Embrace myself? Did you see what I fucking did to get back here?”
The Seyah: “I did.”
Amara: “And for whom? He was busy drinking coffee with the hands of another woman.”
The Seyah: “Are you upset about the lies the woman fed you? Is there something else?”
Amara: “I’m feeling suffocated in my own skin, those people are gonna die because of me. They’re probably dead already. I ceded them to a cruel fate none of them deserve. Go ahead, tell me how horrible of a person I am. I called people that their souls are rotten and here I am. Do I even have a soul?”
In The Seyah’s head: You’re not a horrible person.
In Amara’s head: If they’re dead, that means the past I know would change. That means the present wouldn’t be the same. If all the faes are dead that means the war that led to the prophecy wouldn’t happen and that means I wouldn’t be born. So what will happen now? Everything and every magical being vanishes? What the fuck did I do?! But wait…it’s already been hours since I got back and nothing has changed yet. Does that mean…? I’m too tired to think right now. (the next morning Ryan’s living room)
Reanto: “There’s no trace of her. Rita couldn’t help. Our men are out there looking.”
Ryan: “And she blocked the mate bond as well and it’s because of that fucking bitch.”
In Ryan’s head: I’m gonna find her and kill her. (Lucia walks in)
Lucia: “Why didn’t you come home last night?”
Walter: “Mom? You know we were searching for Amara the whole night.”
Lucia: “You didn’t have to sacrifice your sleep for a psycho maniac. Why did she leave in the first place? I’ve told you multiple times she can’t be our luna. She can’t even take responsibility for this pack.”
In Ryan’s head: I know I’m in the worst head space right now and hearing those words only fueled my anger. I warned her about talking shit and I’ve had enough. I was ready to banish her right here, right now but then the whole atmosphere changed and Lucia started choking like some invisible force head sucked the air out of her lungs. Then I saw her coming through the main door.
Amara: “Didn’t I warn you last time, Lucia about spewing venom like your daughter used to do? You called me a psycho maniac. How do you know that? I never showed you that side of me but since you already know then I’ll gladly give you a show.”
In Ryan’s head: No, don’t look at me. Not gonna repeat the same mistake twice. I’m not gonna upset her again. You wanna kill her baby? Go ahead, kill her.
Rico: “Angel. Nana…what’s happening to you?”
Amara: “Nothing. Just teaching your nana the lesson she never learned.”
Rico: “I missed you, angel.”
Amara: “I know kiddo, I know.”
In Ryan’s head: Then she took Rico’s hand and left the room. Lucia…well she’s still alive thanks to Rico. (later in Amara’s room)
Ryan: “Your scent has changed.”
Amara: “Not really. I was in the past, the world wasn’t like this as we see it outside today. It had a different air and essence.”
Ryan: “I looked everywhere for you but no one had any answers. No one knew where you vanished to. I don’t know what lies that bitch tried to sell you but I didn’t know that she used to come into our room because for the last month I haven’t even been in this room. There’s no way I could sleep without you, I was out there searching for answers.”
Amara: “I didn’t get upset because of you. I’m upset because of me, of what I did.”
Ryan: “Love, tell me everything and I’ll do anything to make things right for you so you could be at peace again. (two months later)”
In Amara’s head: And he did. It wasn’t easy to deal with an unnatural situation but Diavolo’s support makes everything easy. He meant everything he said, he meant it when he said he wants to be my peace, he wants to protect my peace and I’m grateful to have a partner like him. He’s truly the man of my dreams. A normal part of me wanted to have a person like him. I always thought God stopped creating men like him. The last two months were a hell of a ride but to be honest at this point, we’ve witnessed so much weird and unnatural shit that nothing actually surprises us anymore.
Ryan: “I was thinking, you never told me what your full name was.”
Amara: “At this point, I’ve lost count of how many names I have. A lot of people call me heiress. Then there’s my old non-existent name Lyra. Then the name my biological parents gave me that’s Amara. The Seyah called me by my full name which is Amara Mooncrux Shadowvale and in the criminal world, they call me ’The Shadow Huntress. So yeah, too many names.”
Ryan: “The fuck?! Go back. Did I hear that right? You said ‘The Shadow Huntress’.”
Amara: “Yeah, why are you surprised?”
Ryan: “I don’t know, maybe because it’s The Shadow Huntress you’re talking about…is a legend. The whole criminal world fears that assassin who hasn’t been seen by no one because she vanishes like the darkness in the night. Who killed each member of the Albanian Mafia and put someone else on the throne and who has a hobby of blowing up buildings and you’re telling me it’s you? It was you the whole time?”
Amara: “I thought you would’ve figured it out by now. When did you last hear about my adventures? I mean The Shadow Huntress’ activities.”
Ryan: “Like a year ago and she was inactive for a few months before that as well.”
Amara: “Yeah, I was busy dating you but then when I left the city I was active again but then The Legion happened so she’s been MIA ever since. You can collect your jaw off the ground, darling.”
Ryan: “No really. Give me a few minutes to wrap my head around this fact.”
Amara: “Sure, take your time. Tell me, is this dress too short?”
Ryan: “You can wear whatever you want. I’m not letting any man see you in a wrong way and live. they can’t do both.”
In Amara’s head: That’s why I love him…because he can talk dirty in many languages.
Amara: “Help me with the zipper.”
Ryan: “So when did it start? I know for a fact that you weren’t doing all of this when you were just a human without any powers.”
Amara: “It’s a long story. It started after I woke up from the coma. Actually when I was in the coma. You never asked me who my first kill was. It was actually the ward boy from the hospital I was in. He tried to sexually abuse me when I was in the coma but Damon saved me. After waking up I used to have headaches all the time, I couldn’t sleep and Damon provided me with video recordings of my room each and every hour I had spent in that hospital bed for my sanity and I watched it and found out about the ward boy. It was obvious for me to figure out if I wasn’t the only one he had tried to assault so I dug deeper. You’ve figured it out by now how good I am with hacking systems and such. It came in handy and I was right, he had been assaulting women for a long time without getting caught. He also used to keep an eye on every woman who came in the hospital and I found out a lot of women had been missing. I killed the ward boy of course but not before I made him sing like a bird. Turns out he used to tell someone about the women and after just a few days those women used to get abducted. I followed the chain and after months of searching, hacking and torturing people…a name. I finally reached a name. THE MANES. Have you ever heard this name?”
Ryan: “No, I never heard of this name because I never dug deeper into the matter. My whole life revolved around The Legion. I thought we could get rid of them and the world would be at peace but I did have an idea that humans are not exempted from this plague of sex trade. How could I help any other people when my own kingdom was on fire? I wanna ask, are supernaturals also being involved in these gruesome businesses? Did you ever come across any supernatural being until me?”
Amara: “No. Your world revolved around The Legion and mine…after Tacoma revolved around this human filth and no I never came across any supernatural being. I think they were only involved with The Legion. They didn’t want to blow their cover, I guess. When I was living with Zak, he actually helped me with his resources and he was just glad I was cleansing his city.”
Ryan: “He knows your The Shadow Huntress?”
Amara: “Of course. You know why I hate people, I don’t show mercy because I’ve seen what they’re capable of. What they do to other humans without feeling any remorse. The things I just told you aren’t even 5% of what I’ve witnessed or seen. You can’t imagine how many kids, women are getting abducted as we speak. (later on in the kitchen)”
Luca: “Hey luna.”
Amara: “Stop calling me that. You can call me Amara.”
Luca: “Okay…Amara. I wanted to talk to you about…”
Amara: “Your mate.”
Luca: “Yeah, Melora.”
Amara: “Beautiful name.”
Luca: “She’s beautiful as well, just like her name.”
Amara: “I’m sure but what’s bothering you?”
In Amara’s head: Actually, I know what’s bothering him.
Luca: “It’s been three months and there’s no improvement in her condition. Physically she’s healthy but mentally I don’t think there’s any improvement. I was thinking that maybe you could help her.”
Amara: “Are you asking me to mess with her head?”
Luca: “Not mess. I mean, can you make her forget those things that are tormenting her? I can’t see her like this, this is unbearable.”
Amara: “I understand, I do but this is not how it works. If I make her forget everything that happened to her she wouldn’t be how you would want her to be. She’ll have every happiness of this world but she’ll still feel hollow inside, though she won’t understand why. It’s a very bad idea. Healing takes time. These kinds of traumatic experiences can’t be forgotten overnight. It’ll take a lot of time, you can’t rush it.”
Luca: “So you’re saying she’ll keep having panic attacks, sleepless nights for God knows how long?”
Amara: “Can I talk to her?”
Luca: “Good luck with that because even I haven’t heard her talk, ever.”
Amara: “She doesn’t respond at all?”
Luca: “Sometimes she just smiles at my jokes but that also fades too soon.”
Amara: “I have to try. (Luca’s room). Hey, I’m Amara. You don’t know me so I completely understand if you won’t respond.”
Melora: “I know you. It feels like I’ve always known you.”
Amara: “I don’t understand.”
Melora: “When I was a kid I used to have these visions where I used to see a raven haired, blue eyed girl. She always looked like a savior to all of us. When I told my mom about this she told my sister. They thought I was a Sheer. They were happy about it but they didn’t know it was in fact a curse. The Legion attacked us when I was eleven. They killed everyone but my aunt wanted to live so she gave them something more valuable than her life. My secret. They took me with them and I was there for twelve years. Until you came. You don’t know but you were the only light in that darkness. They wanted to know about you but I always lied and they punished me for it and I had no choice but to suppress my abilities to the point where I finally stopped having visions.”
Amara: “Why didn’t you tell them the truth?”
Melora: “You were the only hope for all of those people who were held captive.”
Amara: “Your parents?”
Melora: “They were killed.”
Amara: “I’m sorry for everything you had to endure.”
Melora: “It’s no one’s fault. I just have complaints to God. Do you believe in God?”
Amara: “Surprisingly I do. I’ve seen things that are beyond anyone’s imagination. No matter how much I hate this concept I can’t deny the fact that those things couldn’t get created on their own. Someone has to be the creator of those things.”
Melora: “If he is there…then how come he let a child endure all those things?”
Amara: “I don’t know, Melora. I know life puts us through unimaginable pain and suffering that we don’t deserve.”
Melora: “Life or God?”
Amara: “You can blame whoever you want but I know that we’re also provided with the strength to deal with that.”
Melora: “But I don’t have any strength anymore. Death looks easier than trying to live.”
Amara: “I know the feeling but sometimes strength doesn’t come from within. It comes from another person. I had my brother when I was about to give up on life. Now I have Diavolo. Who do you have?”
Melora: “My mate.”
Amara: “That’s right. Do you not like Luca?”
Melora: “It’s not like that, he’s really good. My wolf loves him.”
Amara: “What about you? Why do you push them away?”
Melora: “Because he’s too good for me, I don’t deserve him. He looks at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. I can tell he loves me but how can he love me? How can anyone love me after everything that’s been done to me?”
Amara: “They can love you because of how strong you are. Don’t you see how strong you are? They tried everything but couldn’t take your hope away. You feel broken and scarred but that doesn’t make you undesirable. It makes you a true warrior that you are. And yes, Luca loves you and now he loves you even more because all this time he had only one wish…that you don’t give up. And you didn’t, he sees your strength.”
Melora: “I can’t see him suffering like this everyday. I don’t know if I’ll ever be normal, how long will he wait for me?”
Amara: “Till his last breath but you don’t have to feel burdened by this thought. You don’t have to rush your healing and let Luca decide what he’s willing to do for you. You have to focus on yourself for now and take all the help you need and strength you’re being offered. Start by accepting what happened in order to conquer the fear and demons you have. You have to accept them and face them and with time you’ll be able to tame them. But know this not every demon is trying to haunt you, sometimes they are scared too and if you try, you can use them as your weapon. With time you’ll learn. All you have to do is try and see what life has to offer, give it one more chance. Not for Luca, but for yourself because you deserve it. Tomorrow I want you to meet someone, she’s a good therapist.”
Melora: “I don’t think a therapist can help me.”
Amara: “No one can help you unless you want to be helped. Just have one session with her and then you can decide. Your wish will be respected here, you don’t have to worry. And I’m here if you want to talk, anytime and if you don’t want Luca around you, you just have to say the word and I’ll take care of it. Heal, Melora. Because you deserve it. You deserve everything this life has to offer. (the next morning in the bathroom). So you’re telling me all those particles just vanished out of nowhere?”
Karl: “Yes, the foreign particles you had in your uterus just disappeared.”
In Amara’s head: When I had that car accident my healing powers got activated, I was injured very badly and some of the debris that pierced inside my body and organs got stuck there because of the healing powers, skin, and wounds got healed but those four particles stayed inside and later on the doctor didn’t try to get it out as it could lead me to death, I was already in a coma. It didn’t cause me any harm though, it never bothered me but now that it’s vanished, did it get destroyed on its own? What does that mean? I guess I have to wait and find out. I have to get ready for the meeting. (Amara’s room)
In Ryan’s head: Damn. Don’t think about it…don’t think about it. But seriously, if I ripped that dress, will she be angry? Let’s find out. (one hour later). She’s so cute when she’s angry. Cute but deadly.
Ryan: “I already ordered new dresses for you. It’ll be delivered by tomorrow.”
Amara: “What’s the point, you’re gonna rip them to shreds anyway.”
Ryan: “Then I’ll buy you new ones.”
Amara: “Ugh, you’re hopeless. Some of them were my favorite dresses and lingeries that you ripped to shreds.”
Ryan: “You know I’m not a patient man, love. And your clothes always test me, it’s not my fault I can’t control myself around you. Don’t pretend like you don’t like it. You love how obsessed I am with you. Let’s put on those heels. The blue one or the red one?”
In Amara’s head: How can I stay mad at him?
Aamra: “The red one.”
Ryan: “I can’t wait to have your legs wrapped around my waist wearing these. You love it when I get on my knees for you as well.”
In Amara’s head: His hands…those sinister skilled hands.
Amara: “Stop, we’re gonna be late.”
Ryan: “Now who’s getting turned on?”
Amara: “You’re doing it on purpose.”
Ryan: “Fine, almost done. You look damn gorgeous, mami. (in the living room)”
Luca: “What the fuck is that? Did you cheat on luna?!”
Ryan: “I would never do that, you idiot.”
Luca: “Then what is that filthy mark doing on your neck?”
Ryan: “It’s your luna’s doing…”
Luca: “Do you take me as a fool? Only a person with fangs could leave that mark.”
Ryan: “Yeah.”
Luca: “Then you’re admitting that you cheated on her with some she-wolf bitch.”
Ryan: “God. I said Amara bit me. She’s the only one who can mark me.”
Luca: “When did she grow fangs?”
Amara: “I can grew a tail too, Luca. Chill.”
Luca: “Are you fucking with me right now? When did this happen? How?”
Amara: “You remember I vanished for a month and then Diavolo and I both went back there and you guys couldn’t tell when because we came back at the same time we disappeared. It was like we never left.”
Luca: “Yeah.”
Amara: “That’s where I explored my powers more, that’s where it happened. I marked him for the first time.”
Luca: “Oh my God. This is a lot to take in.”
Amara: “Poor thing. You look good baby…with that bite mark.”
Ryan: “If you call me baby again then I’ll have no choice than to take you back in our room and make you scream my name. (one week later in Amara’s room)”
In Ryan’s head: Hmm…?
Ryan: “AMARA!”
In Ryan’s head: Where is she?
Ryan: “Love? Are you in the bathroom?”
Amara: “Don’t come in, just go back to sleep.”
Ryan: “What happened? Amara?! What happened? Okay, I’m coming in.”
Amara: “No! God, do you wanna watch me while I’m puking my guts out?!”
Ryan: “I could hold your hair.”
Amara: “Close the door!”
Ryan: “What happened, love? Are you sick?”
Amara: “I’m nauseous and the smell of chicken coming from the kitchen is making me even more nauseous.”
Ryan: “Now it’s closed. But why are you nauseous?”
Amara: “I think I’m starting my period.”
Ryan: “Give me a few minutes. I’m back. We can keep the door open. There’s non-veg in the kitchen or anything that will make you feel nauseous and I got these things.”
Amara: “Lavender?”
Ryan: “Yeah, I heard it calms the mind. Let’s run you a hot bath, you’ll feel better.”
Amara: “Okay. (few minutes later)”
Ryan: “Are you feeling better?”
Amara: “Yeah, I’m just gonna sleep for four to five days I think. Is it just me or does this room smell really good?”
Ryan: “Because of the flowers I brought. I know natural fragrance soothes you.”
Amara: “Thank you. (ten days later by a lake). Can I open my eyes now?”
Ryan: “Yeah.”
Amara: “It’s beautiful.”
Ryan: “Yeah, so beautiful.”
Amara: “You’re not even looking that way.”
Ryan: “How can I look at anything else when you’re in front of me? My eyes refuse. That’s why I desperately wanted to keep you by my side, always. So, Amara Mooncrux Shadowvale…(Ryan gets down one knee)”