The Rise of Lunar's Light (The Story Before Mateless)

Amethyst’s Pov:

In an instant, Timothy vanished from view, but his panic lingered. I accepted he wanted to be here to help with Joseph. This was something I needed to do alone. It was the only way to reach Joseph.

Stars speckled my vision as Joseph continued to squeeze the life out of me. His eyes, even in their cursed state, revealed his desperate fight within himself. He wasn’t the one who wanted this. Whoever cursed him, they were in control. Somehow, they masked their thoughts.

“Joseph, you need to keep fighting.” I prayed my link made it to him. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed at me, his face twisted in a menacing sneer. It was now or never. I placed my hand on his temple, touching him ever so gently. I wanted the one in control to feel like they truly had the upper hand.

“Amethyst!” Joseph screamed through the haze which enveloped me. “Shut up, you whiney thing,” a scratchy voice hissed. Much to my relief, they both were unaware of my presence. Even here, his mind was trying to reach me. As I pushed through the fog, his pain threatened to swallow me whole. He was fighting a battle he couldn’t win.

“I beg you, please, anything you want. But just leave her alone,” he sobbed. “Her life or yours,” the voice hissed back. “Mi...” Joseph started. “Neither. You may have tricked him into accepting you trapped him; but I know better,” I growled. A loud shriek filled the air as the beast searched for me while I searched for Joseph.

“Hide all you want; you will lose consciousness soon. You won’t be able to keep this little trick up when you are dead,” the voice taunted. The pain from Joseph intensified. Even here, my lungs burned, desperate for air. “There is nothing you can do,” the voice laughed.

“Is that what you think?” I taunted the beast back as another shriek echoed all around. “You have no power here,” it sneered.

I closed my eyes and conjured a strong wind to cut through the blood red haze and expose Joseph. “Really? You forget, I have all the power Joseph will allow me. After all, it is his mind,” I smiled, walking to my mate, who was confined to a small cage in the depths of his own mind.

He gaped at me with utter confusion. “This is your mind, Joseph; that thing has no control unless you allow it. You are a prisoner of your own choice. That beast has twisted its words to make you think they are in control. Thus, making you believe they trapped you when really you are not,” I explained. To emphasize my point, I took his hand through the cage. “Lies!” The beast screamed, grabbing me by the hair, pulling me away from him.

Stunned, I glanced at the twisted creature. Its grey skin was decaying straight off the bone. Much of its skeleton and vital organs were visible through the various rotting holes throughout its body. Worms writhed throughout its skin and entrails as it meandered around the inner depths of Joseph’s mind. Sparse, wispy hairs still somehow covered its head. The beast’s blood-red eyes stared menacingly down at me. It removed eyelids long ago. I couldn’t believe what this beast was. It was once a witch before the Coven left. Without the love of the Goddesses, it rotted and decayed, twisted by its new God.

“What is it you feel you are going to accomplish?” it spat. “Freeing you both,” I mocked. “Joseph, I can’t do this without you. Come to me.” I reached for him. His desire to break free warmed my heart. “Hurry, I have little time left,” I pleaded, sensing his hesitation. “Awe, we still trapped the babe. You failed,” it laughed.

“Deceived, not trapped,” I growled, fighting back. Suddenly I was all too aware of the battle which was still raging outside of here between this beast masquerading as Joseph and myself. I glanced at Joseph. If he didn’t soon find himself, I would need to act.

My eyes burned and throbbed as my blood vessels were bursting. Even here I gasped for air my body was giving out. There was no way I could last any longer. “Amethyst!” his panicked cries reached me as my vision darkened.

Then, without warning, something jerked me free from the beast’s grasp. A sudden wave of air rushed into my lungs. The warmth of the sparks which traveled up my body as Joseph pulled me into his arms, lifting me up. “Are you ok?” he whispered. His worry dripped from every word.

“Yes,” I replied, rubbing my throbbing throat. “We still need to deal with that.” I nodded towards the entity which was still attempting to regain control of his mind.

“What do I need to do?” he asked. I nestled my body closer to his and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, causing him to blush. “Remember, this is your mind. You are in control. Only you live here. We are the ones invading your mind,” I explained. “I think I can do that,” Joseph winked. My cheeks burned as his wink sent my heart fluttering.

The beast screamed, robbing us of our tender moment. Angry with losing control over Joseph, the beast made a desperate attack. With a flick of my wrist, the creature sailed backwards. “Awe, you can’t do magic here. Poor thing,” I taunted.

Its blood-red eyes enlarged with rage before turning a deeper shade of red. “Enough,” it hissed, posing itself to strike. Unwilling to allow it another chance, I took my place in front of Joseph. “You are right, enough is enough,” I grinned. A deep-throated growl echoed before it charged us for a second time.

I refused to stand down. This was my mate, my life. A strong current of wind swirled around the beast. Chains made from thorns and nightshade entangled themselves around the former witch.

With great satisfaction, I watched it writhe in pain. The scream that left its lungs was enough to chill even my heart. I glanced at Joseph. I needed to make sure he was ok. None of this would work if he lost control.

To my horror, he collapsed to his knees and doubled over, his hands covering his ears. The witch’s screams hid his. Gently, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Please trust me, I need you to stay strong,” I pressed.

His eyes, although filled with anguish, met mine. “Whatever you need, my love,” he replied. I offered him my hand, helping him up. “It will all be over soon, I promise.”

The beast snapped at me as I approached it. “You will never win. We’ve tainted his heart,” it cackled. “Not even you, the great chosen priestess of the traitorous Goddess can save him.” The beast boasted before I plunged my hand into her chest. I dug my hands around until I found my prize. Once my hand was around it, I tore out the still beating heart of the beast.

Rage filled its eyes as they fell upon its blackened heart beating in my hand. Wails of anger ripped through Joseph’s mind as it struggled against its bindings. “You bitch,” it hissed.

A satisfied grin tugged at my lips as I slowly crushed the heart of this relic of a witch. One last shriek filled the air as the beast’s heart turned to ash in my hand. The witch’s rotten skin suddenly appeared like a riverbed during a long, hard drought before shattering like glass.

Tim’s Pov:

I transfixed my eyes on the barrier which stood between Amethyst and myself. There was absolutely no way she was going to last much longer. Why did she feel the need to fight this battle alone? I didn’t understand it.

Without warning, the barrier shattered, clenching my heart. To my relief, the sound of her choking filled the haunting silence. Best of all, Joseph was slumped beside her on the bed. I rushed to her side, gathering her up in my arms, and moved her a safe distance away from her attacker.

“Timothy, I am fine, really,” Amethyst insisted. But her voice was nothing but a horse whisper. “I have freed him. But I still need to find out more. The witch told me they tainted his heart,” she said. Amethyst’s eyes showed her worry. My heart hammered against my chest. Was it possible that she could never mate with Joseph?

“Free him?” Jennings asked. Ensuring Amethyst was painfully aware of how many people were currently in her room. “Those things cursed him,” she blurted out coldly. “As you can tell, he’s not been himself. And he should be again, at least for a little while,” she explained.

“What did you do to him?” Sanders spat. Amethyst’s eyes flickered to me, then to Sanders, studying him closely. “Hmm? Didn’t I already explain that I freed him? He just needs to rest. Having to share your inner mind is too much for most people,” Thyst shrugged.

“What happens if you don’t find the witch who cursed him?” Sanders asked. Amethyst furrowed her brows, placing her index finger on her lip. “He stands at a high risk of being lost forever,” she sighed. “Then it’s best we get started,” Jennings insisted. “What do you need?” Madeline asked.

Amethyst contemplated the issues she faced, lost in deep thought. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and a smile curled across her lips. “A shield,” she grinned.

All the colour drained from Madeline’s face as she gaped at Amethyst. “How will this help you?” Madeline asked. “So I can crack you over the head and repay you the favor,” Amethyst growled as Madeline’s eyes darted to mine. “Traitor, you just had to tell her, didn’t you?” she groaned.

“For that, I should turn you into a toad,” Amethyst continued. Amused, I stifled a laugh thanks to Madeline’s eyes growing wide with confusion. “Right now, Joseph needs to rest. So do I,” Amethyst announced before abruptly kicking us all out of her room, locking the door behind her.

Madeline’s eyes shone with awe as she peered at me. “You don’t think she could turn me into a toad, do you?” she asked with a mischievous smile on her face.