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Thank you for 400K on Shadowed Hearts! WOOHOO!

PLEASE READ THE A/N I HAVE PUT UP BEFORE THIS CHAPTER.

Dedicated to Lectio-Album for all the amazing love and support. It means the world to me! Thanks doll!

A huge shoutout to lilsky29 for having supported me for so long. I really appreciate it. Thanks hon!

The absolutely mesmerizing banner above was made by Lectio-Album. You're incredible hon. Thank you!

NOTE: Bonnet is pronounced 'Bo-nay' or 'Bu-nay', according to the french pronunciation.

PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY WORK! If I find any followers copying my work, I will immediately REPORT and MUTE you. Do NOT test my patience or take advantage of my friendliness. You have been warned.

This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors. Enjoy!

____

Suzzanah's POV

"B-B-But I thought she works for the Shadow King!" Rino exclaimed in alarm, "In...what is it called? Maleficent Incorporated or something"

"Magnifis Incorporated", I corrected worriedly, "She was working for Terrence but just for that one Interior Design project. She is actually employed at The Fae Insignia, which is the Design House that Magnifis Inc. opted for this time around"

"I see", Alpha Penson said thoughtfully, "Well that was unexpected"

"Is that bad?" I asked feeling extremely concerned and Alpha Penson frowned in thought.

"Not necessarily", he replied, "Like I said, even though they are allied to the Shadow People, the Fae are usually peaceable creatures. Being in their care might actually be a good thing for her"

I immediately felt relieved, "Really?" I asked and he nodded.

"That having been said, it also depends on what kind of relation her Faery Boss Antoine has with the Shadow King", he added.

"He loves him", I replied making both men look at me wide eyed, "I mean like swooning over him because he's hot or something. Karina told me. But she also said that they aren't really familiar with each other, and before they began working on a project Magnifis Inc., both men had never personally met"

"How long have they been working on the project for Magnifis Inc.?" Alpha Penson asked.

"Maybe around 2 months", I replied, "It was a large-scale project"

"Two months is plenty of time to get to know each other", Alpha Penson said, "The Bonnet family are one of the Imperial Faery bloodlines so they aren't exactly subject to the Shadow People but almost all the Faery People fear Terrence Magnifis and would not dare go against him. There are only a few families who could even dare to stand up to him, and although the Bonnet family could be one of them if they wanted to, I have heard that the two families have been on good terms for many decades now"

"Great! So they're buddies", I said dejectedly, "That just makes things 10 times harder!"

"But didn't you say that there are Fae who don't get along with them too?" Rino asked Alpha Penson.

Alpha Penson nodded, "Not many, but yes there are", he replied.

"So if they're enemies of the Shadow people, does that make them friends of the Werewolves by default?" Rino asked.

"I'm afraid its not that simple", Alpha Penson replied, "Because its not that they're 'enemies' of the Shadow People, but more that they're just not friends. They don't care much for one another, and if we consider a hypothetical scenario where war breaks out between the Shadow people and the Werewolves, these particular Faery would choose to not participate in it at all, rather than choosing sides"

"Do you know any such families?" I asked.

"There is only one that I am familiar with", Alpha Penson replied, "Another Imperial Faery Bloodline- The Firestorms"

"Oooh! I've heard of them!" Rino exclaimed, "Wait, you mean they're real?! They actually exist?"

Alpha Penson smiled, "Yes they do", he replied, "But I'm not surprised by your reaction. The Firestorms are one of the most secretive Supernatural Families. They come from an ancient and revered bloodline of Fairies, and one of the few clans who still live deep in the woods, away from the bustling modern civilization. In fact they're apparently so taciturn that many in the present generation of Supernaturals doubt their very existence. Only the Royal and Nobel families of every Supernatural Kingdom actually know that they do. And I'm supposing that your grandfather told you about them, am I right?" he asked Rino who nodded.

"I've heard a few tales about them from my Oompa, but the other kids in school said they were all myths", Rino replied.

"They probably weren't", Alpha Penson replied.

"But if they're so secretive that they don't even come out into civilization then how do they make money? And where do they get food and clothing?" I asked.

"Like the Bonnet family, they also have large-scale firms and companies to their names", he replied, "Their money-making process is the same as any other rich Supernatural family's in this present era, but they prefer to monitor their franchise from the shadows. And personally I don't think that they never leave the woods. Its more like even when they do, nobody notices or recognizes them because they're so...unknown. Although, I have heard that they do make rare public appearances on special occasions, but for the most part they prefer to remain hidden in the woods"

"Hm, well for a family that doesn't get along with the Shadow People, they sure do sound a lot like them", I said, "Especially the whole 'controlling things from the shadows' part. So...why aren't they friends again?"

"Because of their particular Elemental abilities", Alpha Penson replied, "They are one of the exceedingly rare Fire Faery, able to wield the one Element that doesn't sit well with the Shadow People"

Fire Faery...

"For hundreds of years now the Shadow People and Fire Elementals have not gotten along", Alpha Penson said, "They're never actively at war with each other but there is an ever-present, unspoken tension between the two species. They are fundamentally different from each other. One is light and the other is darkness, so they inevitably end up clashing. And so, even though the Shadow King and the leader of the Firestorm family are not enemies, they prefer to stay away from each other, or so I've heard"

I nodded in understanding, "Do they have any special 'Gifts' too?" I asked.

"I believe they possess multiple of them", he replied, "But I don't know which ones though"

"Isn't there any way we can contact them?" I asked desperately, "If we can get into their good books, maybe they'll help us retrieve Karina"

"I'm afraid we have neither the time nor the means to do so at present", Alpha Penson replied regretfully, "Besides, a clan that has chosen to remain secluded so many thousands of years would not willingly put itself on the line to help strangers like us"

I sighed and closed my eyes. He was right about that. And it only made my worry for Karina heighten. I trusted Zuerien and General Reginald and I knew they would do their best to get her back, but I also knew my sister. She was a stubborn and reckless woman whose audacity was as fiery as her temper could be. And the only thing that kept it all in check, and also kept me from constantly worrying about her was her quick wit.

Karina had always been exceptionally smart, and unlike me, she worked brilliantly under pressure. And also, she knew her limits. She hated them, but she knew they existed. I just hoped that she remembered them before she acted spontaneously and did something dangerous.

Like yesterday. What on earth was she doing in the woods so close to the Border?!

Oh Karina...I hope you're okay...

I just wish I could talk to you...

My eyes shot open and I looked at Alpha Penson and Rino, "Hey, do you think...we can try and mindlink Karina now?" I asked hurriedly.

Rino immediately sat up, ready while Alpha Penson took a moment to think about it.

"Alright. Let's give it a go", he said and both I and Rino exchanged excited looks.

His eyes briefly glazed over in mindlink before he turned to us again, "I've informed Neil to ensure that we're not disturbed for the next couple of minutes. You ready?"

We nodded, and I immediately felt my heart rate spike.

"Rino, you go first", Alpha Penson said.

Rino nodded, "Right"

"Do it just like I taught you this morning", Alpha Penson said softly, "Concentrate on reaching out to Karina, as though you were making a mental phone-call to her and waiting for her to pick up"

Rino nodded and kept his eyes closed, trying to concentrate while I sat on my haunches, desperately hoping that if would work.

"Think about her and nothing else", Alpha Penson guided him, "Think about her...and call out her name"

"RINA!"

I jumped and Alpha Penson cringed as he shouted it out loud.

"I meant in your head, Rino", Alpha Penson said quickly while I looked around nervously, hoping that we wouldn't get kicked out for being so noisy in a library, "Call out her name in your head. Mentally"

"Ooh! Okay", Rino said nodding and probably did as he was told.

His brows knit together in concentration and I chewed on my lip anxiously as I looked at Alpha Penson. His face gave nothing away as his thoughtful gaze turned to mine. And it looked like he was about to say something when three abrupt things happened in extremely quick succession.

All of a sudden, my mind blanked, thoughts cleared and eyes glazed over and then I heard Rino's voice in my head, calling out to Karina. A second later a different and yet heart-wrenchingly familiar voice flooded my mind powerfully, shouting in shock, and lastly Rino's eyes then shot open, orbs blazing blue and he jumped out of his chair in complete disbelief, crying out once more.

Rinaaa!

Holy shit!

"Holy guacamole!"

In that second, two voices resounded in my ears, even though only one was spoken in the room I was in. And before I could even blink, my mind was blown.

Both mine and Alpha Penson's eyes flew to Rino in bafflement followed yet again by two loud voices.

Its you!

"It worked!"

My lips parted in absolute shock as I realized that it really had worked. Not just for Rino, but somehow also for me, even though I hadn't even tried to mindlink Karina. Not even subconsciously.

And I just sat there, frozen in shock for a few moments, unable to say a word.

"Rina! Yes its me Rino! We've spoken before", Rino spoke out loud out of habit, still looking absolutely shook.

And very surprisingly, so did Alpha Penson! I think even though we had all desperately wanted this to work, none of us had expected it to on the very first go. It was surreal!

"A-Are you okay?!" Rino asked looking at Alpha Penson hurriedly, silently asking what he was supposed to say to her next.

No no no no No! Karina's panicked voice said, and I immediately knew she was saying it to herself and not as a reply to Rino.

"No?" Rino asked concernedly, "You're not okay? What's wrong?"

Karina didn't reply.

Alpha Penson watched Rino worriedly, gesturing urgently to know what was going on, in response to which Rino shook his head, telling him he wasn't sure. And all this time, I was trying as hard as could to participate in the mindlink myself, but somehow, I found myself completely unable to. As though there was an invisible force stopping me from doing so.

"Hello?" Rino cried out, closing both his ears with his hands to block out other sounds, "Hello? Rina?!"

I gasped anxiously and it was around this time that Alpha Penson noticed my striking lack of interaction and it didn't take him even a split second to put two and two together.

"You can hear her too?" he asked and I nodded, feeling panicked.

Rino's wide eyes darted to me as he repeated, "Rina? Hellooo!"

Shh, don't talk! Came her prompt and urgent reply a second later making both of us inhale sharply.

Rino blinked in confusion, his mouth opening and closing as he frantically wondered whether or not to speak.

God, not now. Please not now, Karina's tense voice sounded, I can't let them find out. Please not NOW!

And the very next second, our mindlink shattered and our heads immediately cleared again. And instantly, I felt my ability to speak normally via mindlink return.

"Oh no!" Rino exclaimed, "The line disconnected! Wait I'll try again"

Alpha Penson lips parted almost as though in objection but before he said could say anything Rino grunted with effort.

"Why isn't it working?" he asked, rubbing both his temples, "It feels like I'm headbutting a wall"

Alpha Penson's eyes immediately widened, "Rino stop! That's a mind-block!"

"She blocked us out", I said worriedly.

"Did she say anything before doing so?" Alpha Penson asked.

"She said 'not now' and 'I can't let them find out'", Rino replied.

"She was probably with the Shadow People then", Alpha Penson said, "And she didn't want them to know that she was able to speak to you via mindlink so she subconsciously ended up blocking you. Did she sound alright?"

"She sounded worried", Rino said, "But her voice was pretty vibrant at the same time. She didn't sound exhausted or like she was in pain or anything. So I'm hoping she was okay"

So was I...

Alpha Penson then turned to me, "But how did you-"

"I don't know", I replied, even before he could finish asking his question, "I wasn't even trying to mindlink her"

"But why didn't you say anything Anna?" Rino asked concernedly.

"That's the thing. I couldn't!" I said anxiously, "I tried but it was like my mind couldn't form any legible thoughts or words that I could communicate through mindlink. That's never happened before!"

"Calm down, dear one", Alpha Penson said, placing a hand over my shoulder, "Its okay"

"But why didn't it work?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, but I would say it probably has something to do with the missing fragment of your soul", Alpha Penson replied.

"But that hasn't stopped me from mindlinking Zuerien normally though", I said.

"Alpha Zuerien is your mate and things often work differently for soulmates", he replied, "Try mindlinking me"

I did as I was told.

Can you hear me?

I kept my gaze on Alpha Penson who was still looking at me expectantly.

I frowned, Alpha?

His eyes glazed over in acknowledgement, Yes, I can hear you Suzzanah

Oh thank God, I said, I thought it wasn't working.

Its seems to be working fine, Alpha Penson replied, keen eyes directed at me.

Thank goodness, I replied before breaking the mindlink.

"So the problem is only with mindlinking Karina?" I asked.

"What was the last thing you said to me via mindlink?" Alpha Penson asked.

I blinked, "I said...thank goodness?" I replied confused.

"And what was the first thing?" he asked.

"Um...it was 'can you hear me'", I replied and he ts-ked, immediately telling that something was wrong.

"What?" I asked worriedly.

"Its seems its not working perfectly fine after all", he replied with a frown, "Because the first thing I heard from you was 'Alpha' and the last was 'I thought it wasn't working'"

My spirits dropped. Oh no...what was going on?!

"To me it felt like you periodically kept mentally blocking me out of our mindlink"

"But I wasn't", I replied.

"Yes, you weren't", he agreed, "But Karina has established a block, and now it seems that that's interfering with us mindlinking you"

"Huh?" Both Rino and I looked at him utterly muddled, "But why?"

"Probably again because of the missing fragment of your soul", Alpha Penson replied, looking worried, "I think that yesterday when you willed that silver energy out of your body along with a fragment of your soul, Karina may have absorbed it"

"WHAT?!"

Alpha Penson nodded, "And because she now possesses a shard of your soul, whatever she commands herself to do must involuntarily be acting on that part of your soul too, and thereby on you", he told us, "So since she has decided to block everyone out from mindlinking her, her will is acting on the portion of your soul within her and simultaneously distorting your ability to mindlink too"

Oh my God...

"That is some twisted mumbo-jumbo!" Rino exclaimed, "Is there anything we can do about it?"

"I can't be certain", he replied still looking at my gobsmacked face, "But seeing as we could still mindlink even if not perfectly, it seems like the extra fragment of your soul that you ended up giving away is resisting Karina's will because it doesn't rightfully belong to her, and its true owner is still alive"

"Besides which, I'm guessing that Karina's soul is probably overflowing right about now", he added thoughtfully, "Because she has it in excess, her own and a part of yours"

"Is that bad?" I asked, apprehension flooding my body, "It won't be detrimental to her in any way will it?"

"No Suzzanah, it won't cause her any damage", he replied, making me relax a little before he added, "However, depending on how much of your soul you ended up transferring to her, it may or may not cause her to acquire some of the abilities you possess"

"Some of my abilities?" I asked, "Like...seeing spirits?"

Alpha Penson nodded, "Yes but Karina seems to already possess that ability, seeing as she did briefly see your spirit when it was teleported to Canada during the Annual Games", he replied.

"So like her silver streak you mean?" Rino asked, "Do you think Rina will end up with a silver streak like Anna's? Is that why it seemed like it had faded a little from her hair even before the Elder concealed it with magic?"

I looked at him surprised, Was it that evident?

Alpha Penson mulled over that question for a second, "Somehow...I don't think she will", he replied after a moment of thought, "But the reason for Suzzanah's silver streak having faded could be the loss of a piece of her soul"

So they had all noticed.

"Although, when I mentioned her acquiring some of your traits, I was referring to your strange and unique ability to transfer other people's injuries onto yourself", Alpha Penson said and both I and Rino gasped in unison, distress washing over me immediately.

Oh no....Karina...

"Don't worry so much, dear one. This is but a hunch", Alpha Penson said comfortingly, "It all essentially depends on how much of your soul she absorbed. As of now, based on what Elder Abé said, you are in possession of less than half of your soul. But he hadn't met you before you lost a part of it to Karina, so he doesn't know the initial picture. And we can't say that you lost that entire portion of it yesterday in the woods to Karina"

"Huh? But why not?" I asked confused.

"Well because...", Alpha Penson hummed in thought, "How should I put this? The aura of soul, when you first joined the Royale industries, was vibrant and thriving...but I can't say that it ever felt...complete"

"What?" my face scrunched up in befuddlement, "You've never told me that before"

"I honestly wasn't certain because the feeling was extremely subtle", he replied, "I'm not surprised that not many others noticed it. You are largely human and human souls have less 'presence' as compared to the souls of Supernaturals so in the beginning I thought that was why your soul felt just a tad bit vacant. But then I noticed that you possessed an uncanny ability to creep up on people without them realizing that you were even there"

Rino's eyes widened and I immediately cringed, "That sounds so shady"

Alpha Penson smiled, "Its actually a skill that a lot of powerful Supernaturals possess", he told me, "Even though the auras of their souls are usually overpowering, they have the ability to conceal them so that they can hide their presences when they need to. But in your case it seemed to be happening subconsciously which made me realize that you had no control over it. That's just how you were, and I began to wonder if it was possible to attribute that to the slightly lacking state of your soul"

"When did you realize all this?" I asked, completely confounded.

"I noticed it for the very first time on the day you joined work", he replied, "I took you to the Alpha's office with me remember? And you threw that glass of water at yourself"

How could I forget?!?!

"You threw a glass of water at yourself?! Awesome!" Rino exclaimed looking both shocked and thoroughly awed.

"Yes but what about it?" I asked, trying not to blush in embarrassment.

"That day, Alpha Zuerien and Cole realized immediately that I had entered the room", he said, "But it took them a good 4 to 5 seconds to realize that you were in it too"

The memory replayed itself in my mind and my eyebrows rose in recollection, "Oh yeah"

"And not just then", he replied, "Its happened multiple times. Once with me, the day I first told you about Emily. I didn't even realize you were there till you had walked up to me and spoke to me. And another time, with Rino", he said turning to look at him, "The day you first met him and he jumped on Annabelle calling her his Luna, do you remember how long it took for him to finally notice that you were there?"

I looked at Rino in wide-eyed realization and he looked just as shocked as me.

"Oh you're right!" Rino exclaimed, "I didn't sense her there at all. But I thought it was because she was human!"

"Most people do", Alpha Penson replied, "Its natural for a human's aura to get snuffed out especially in the presence of a large number of powerful Supernaturals but I don't think that's the case with you, Suzzanah"

"Souls have the ability to replenish themselves to some extent over time, at least enough to sustain their bodies, which is probably why your soul didn't seem too obviously lacking when we first met", he said, his eyes serious, "But I have a feeling that yesterday may not have been the first time you lost a fragment of your soul. But if I'm right, then your soul hasn't been 'complete' for a very long time."

The weight of his revelation was heavy on my shoulders, the realization bringing forth a tumult of emotions that now raged inside of me. Shock, fear, confusion, dread- they all bombarded me like bullets to my skin and I was left completely and utterly baffled by it all.

"But how...", I breathed out, "I don't understand. And why haven't you ever said anything about this before?"

"Like I said, I wasn't certain", I replied, "And I didn't want to jump to hasty conclusions, especially when your life was already so chaotic all the time. In fact, after the Alpha marked you, your aura grew considerably and I thought that I really had been wrong after all. But now I don't think I was anymore. Because slowly but steadily I can sense that what is remaining of your soul is trying to replenish itself again, at least enough to mask its obvious deficiency. And once again your aura is slowly starting to feel a little like it did when you first joined the Royale Industries- bleak but not necessarily questionable"

His frown deepened, "The only problem here is that one's soul can only repair itself to a given extent. It doesn't have the ability to completely regenerate. And the more fragments of it you lose, the more difficult it becomes for your soul to replenish itself"

My skin prickled and a thin stream of panic began to seep into my blood as I sensed the foreboding nature of the conclusion he was getting at.

"According to Elder Abé your soul is currently just at the borderline", he told us, "Which means that it does still have the power to replenish itself, but the extent to which it can do so is small. And it definitely can't afford to lose any more fragments. Which leads us to the pressing question. How and why are you losing parts of your soul in the first place?"

Rino looked at me, features painted with concern. I didn't know what to say. I had no idea how and why this was happening.

"Suzzanah", Alpha Penson bent closer to me, "Tell me again what happened yesterday in the woods. We still don't know what exactly those silver beams you saw yesterday were, but you told me that when they flooded your body they made you feel more powerful right? Then why did you will them back out?"

I tensed as the scene began to replay in my mind automatically. Every sound, every visual and every feeling from then was still crystal clear to me. The thundering shouts of Rino, Zuerien and Cole, the blinding light radiating from those silver beams of energy...and the fear.

The spine-chilling fear.

That something bad was happening.

That someone was...

"I felt like as the energy flowed into me, it was flowing out somewhere", I told him, not knowing how exactly to put the feeling into words, "I felt like it was destroying something by doing so. I know I'm not making sense but the simplest way I can explain this is, I felt...like I was sucking out someone else's life. And I was afraid..."

"That it was Karina", Alpha Penson completed softly as my voice started to tremble.

"I don't know why", I told him quietly, "But it didn't feel right. I didn't want it. So I willed it out"

"You were so terrified of the idea that you were potentially stealing someone else's life-force that you ended up giving away some of your own to ensure their sustenance", Alpha Penson said before placing a hand over my head, "Ever the generous one, aren't you?"

"I don't regret what I did, Alpha", I told him honestly and he nodded.

"I understand that", he replied, "As of now we can be at ease because both you and Karina seem okay. And despite its lack, your soul seems to be holding up alright as well. But please remember, you can't lose any more of it"

"I don't know if I can control that", I replied worriedly, "I mean seeing as I have lost parts of my soul more than once and haven' t even realized it, it obviously means that I don't do it consciously right?"

"So it appears", he replied, "But it seems to occur whenever you put another person's existence before your own, a little like your ability to transfer other people's wounds onto yourself. And for now, if we want to avoid it, I think we need to keep you away from any and all situations where there is potential danger to those around because you might unknowingly give away your life-force to try and protect them"

He sighed, "I never thought I would ever encounter a problem like this in my life", he said and I gave him a sheepish look.

"Sorry"

"Don't apologize dear one. You have not done anything wrong. But those who care about you can't help but worry", he said tenderly.

He then looked at Rino, who had fallen very silent. I followed his gaze to find Rino staring at me with, blue-rimmed eyes brimming with anxious concern.

"Is Anna really going to be okay?" he asked Alpha Penson.

I smiled, "Of course I am bud", I replied, "I'll be fine"

He didn't look convinced as his gaze turned to Alpha Penson for confirmation.

"Rest assured Rino", Alpha Penson told him, "Suzzanah will be okay"

I could tell that there was more he wanted to add to that sentence, but for Rino's sake, and probably also mine, he chose not to say it. And I didn't press him about it either. I had already had too much shock therapy for one morning and desperately felt like I needed a bit of a break.

I think we all did.

Rino nodded in reply to Alpha Penson, but I could tell that he was still worried about me, and it made me feel very guilty. Alpha Penson then announced that this was a good time to break for lunch and the two of us agreed wordlessly. Setting our books in order we headed towards the librarian's desk, where Neil was waiting for us.

We found him by the door to the 'Hall of Fiction' and he immediately straightened up as he saw us approaching. He said that there were a few nice restaurants in the neighborhood. As we were about to head out of the room, the librarian boy Gale emerged from one of the nearby aisles, carrying a stack of books in one hand and his walking stick in the other. I wondered what he had thought of my odd behavior earlier when he had caught me mindlinking Zuerien.

I had kainda made a fool of myself after all.

I noticed that Alpha Penson too was watching the lad as he made his way to his desk, and as he did, his eyes narrowed, almost as though in question.

And as if he had sensed our eyes on him, Gale suddenly raised his head and his gaze met mine. He immediately came to a halt, spectacled eyes glued to my face, as though he had fallen into a trance. But before I could react Neil called out from behind me,

"GALE!"

The boy jumped a little before he tore his eyes away from mine to look at Neil, "What is it O'Neil?"

"We're going for lunch", Neil told him, "We'll be back in about an hour. Make sure no one takes the books we've left on our desk, will you?"

"I shall do so", he replied with a smile, "Have a good meal!"

His eyes fell to me again and he gave me another warm smile before looking at Alpha Penson and quickly turning away. He was a strange boy.

I too turned to look at Alpha Penson to find him still staring at Gale thoughtfully but when he noticed my eyes on him he smiled.

"Is something wrong?" I asked and he shook his head, "No. Let's go", he said.

We were about to leave when Gale suddenly cried out from behind us, "Oh! And please do help yourselves to the umbrellas by the door. Its pouring cats and dogs outside"

Huh?

Just as he had said, it was raining heavily out in the corridor and immediately all three of us looked at Rino whose eyes went wide before he gave us a sheepish smile.

"Sorry", he said, "I'll stop it right away"

"No, leave it be", Alpha Penson said, "Its best not to make any sudden distortions in the weather while we're here, alright?"

Rino nodded and we headed out, taking a few of the the umbrellas in the stand next to us. Rino offered to make an umbrella out of ice for us, even going as far as demonstrating its creation, but all three of us quickly refused while trying desperately to hide both him and his frosty parasol from the nearby public.

The restaurant we headed to was pretty close and we managed to get there without getting ourselves too wet. Neil offered to take us in the car but it seemed pointless to travel to a place just a block away in an intimidating SUV because of a little rain.

Lunch was uneventful. We all ate in silence, lost in our own thoughts. It seemed that there were suddenly so many questions that even the answers we found seemed useless in comparison. The problems and worries continued to pile up like a mountain and now I was afraid we couldn't even see what was on the other side of it all.

Having Alpha Penson on our side was my biggest comfort and reassurance sometimes, but the man was actually an enigma himself. Still, seeing as he was calm at this point, I decided to be too, even though I felt like I was on the verge of a mental breakdown from the question after question we kept facing.

So many things were happening altogether. Us discovering the beast and his possible connection to all my predecessors. My soul's connection to the Luna Ethereal and Emily but Zuerien's lack thereof to the Alpha Almighty and Alpha Micheal. The sudden moments of déjà vu I kept experiencing and the shocking lack of my soul.

And that blue-green eyed ghost whose identity was still a mystery to us all.

Something told me that that all these happening were interlinked. That maybe all the questions we had were born from the same source. But when and how would we find it?

After lunch we headed back to the library, ready to immerse ourselves into the books again. The rain was still falling, albeit not as heavily as before, which told me that Rino was still worried about me, even though his face didn't really reveal much.

Once we got back to our table, Alpha Penson told Rino to try and mindlink Karina again, but he found himself unable to. Apparently the mind block she had put up was still there.

I couldn't help but worry that Karina may have gotten herself into trouble with the Shadow People. I didn't know for sure but something told me that her presence by the Northern wall yesterday was her own reckless doing and not something planned by the Shadow People, and if so, wouldn't they have been mad?

The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became, but Alpha Penson assured me that now that a part of my soul was in Karina's body, if something bad really happened to her then I'd probably be able to sense it right away. It was a small reassurance, but I was grateful for it nonetheless.

A few minutes after we got back to the library, we got news that Mr. Talon had reached the Central library and was about to meet with the Overseer to look through the 'Book of Royals'. We had still to hear from the Overseer about any new information regarding the Beast and my predecessor who was Intercession's friend in a past life.

Speaking of the Beast, Zuerien had mindlinked us earlier while we were eating lunch. They still hadn't gotten any leads on that Beast, but were supposedly gathering other important details which he said he'd let us know about later tonight. I thought he had sounded a little tense, but when I asked, he denied it.

We in turn told them about the mindlink with Karina and how I was experiencing a few problems with mindlinking others but not him. He immediately told me to return to the hotel and get some rest but after a little persuasion, I managed to convince him that I was alright and could stay here.

We didn't however tell him about the theory of Karina being in possession of a part of my soul and my having probably lost fragments of it before too, deciding to let him know all that later this evening. He had enough to worry about already.

He also asked about the gloomy weather again. Apparently it wasn't raining where they were like it was here, but it was still pretty dark and cloudy. And although Rino kept telling us he was alright now, neither we nor Zuerien whom we told this to, believed it.

Beta Darren had also mindlinked Alpha Penson a short while after Zuerien. Their search too had so far been unrewarding. They hadn't even found a trace of Megan or her comrade yet but we couldn't let ourselves get too disappointed about it. We needed to hope for the best and keep trying.

I had been hoping to hear from Marco, but I didn't. Nor did Alpha Penson, or Neil, but Beta Darren told us that Marco's party hadn't found them yet either.

Alpha Penson had just mindlinked Laura, the Beta female to ask about Prophecy. She too hadn't woken up yet, and despite knowing that this was probably normal for her, I couldn't help but be concerned.

According to the Teleportation Manuscript, Prophecy had been teleported to Dublin a total of 4 times now, which made this place incredibly important with respect to the lost Lunas, and I could understand why now. If Prophecy woke up, she'd be able to give us many more details about her teleportations which could help us find Megan and Karina faster so we were all desperately hoping that she did soon.

But as of now, we had nothing to do it seemed, but to wait, which frankly, was much harder than anything else.

I picked up the Book I had initially been reading about Supernaturals and began skimming through it again. I tried to read it, but my mind kept wandering to everything I had learnt this morning and I mostly ended up just blankly staring at the pages or looking at the pictures of different Supernaturals.

There were so many different types of them that I could hardly even remember half of them. And although it was interesting to learn about them, I soon started to feel tired and drowsy. Putting the book aside, I briefly put my head on the table, looking at Alpha Penson and Rino.

They were seated on the opposite side of the table, across from me and were talking about something, but I was suddenly so sleepy that I could barely hear them. My vision blurred and my eyelids weighed down on my eyeballs heavily but I thought I saw Rino hand Alpha Penson one of the crystals which he could sense his Lunas presence from. And I soon felt myself drifting off to sleep.

Before I closed my eyes, I saw Alpha Penson and Rino give me a smile. I think I smiled back and said,

Just a few seconds of shuteye

Just a few...seconds...

_______

"Do you believe in reincarnation...?"

"Do you think...that if you and I were ever reincarnated...then we'd meet again...?"

"And if we met...do you think...do you think we'd still be friends...?"

"Do you..."

"Luna?"

A wide green meadow glistened under the sunlight that peeked through the clouds. A thick tree stood in the meadow, its beautiful canopy a blend of reds and whites.

A woman stood underneath the tree, her dark robe flowing onto the green grass. Long red hair cascaded down her back, a striking contrast against her dark garment. Her arms were wide open on either side of her and her head was raised to the heavens above.

She was singing.

The breeze was gentle, the land was calm and the song...was heartfelt.

Like a wish.

Like a prayer.

Her aura filled the beautiful meadow, being carried all the way across it by the soft wind. The aura was calm, passionate, magical!

And...familiar.

So familiar.

I had never met that woman.

And soon, the beautiful scenery and the melodious song faded into the black.

I wonder...what she was singing...

"Did you know...?"

"What the mind forgets...the heart often remembers..."

"It remembers...even that which the rest of the world forgets..."

"It remembers the bonds that are important"

"And those bonds never break"

"They never fade away..."

"Because it remembers..."

"And no one knows why"

"But you know what?...That's okay..."

"That's okay..."

.

.

.

"For-"

My eyes flickered open and I blinked in the darkness, feeling like I had just awoken from a trance.

Why is it so dark? Weren't we in the library?

The side of my neck ached and I flinched as I got off the hard surface I had been using as a pillow. It was a table. And next to me were a stack of books. Several of them.

I looked around and found myself exactly where I remembered having dozed off. I was still in the library, but for some reason, I was alone.

Or was I?

I turned my head to the side slowly, feeling a slight catch in my neck from how I had been sleeping and I found Neil sitting on a chair a few feet away from me, still reading the same book on soulmates beside a small lampstand. Alpha Penson and Rino were nowhere to be found.

"Neil?"

He looked up from his book and immediately got off his chair, "Luna, you're awake", he said, "Are you feeling okay?"

I nodded, "Yes but why is it so dark?" I asked looking towards the window. It was pitch black outside.

"We had the lights switched off in this part of the library so you could sleep comfortably", he replied and my jaw dropped.

"What?! But that would be such an inconvenience to the others though", I said looking around.

"Not at all, Luna", he replied, "There is no one else here. In fact its almost closing time now time"

"It is?" I exclaimed alarmed, "Just how long was I asleep?"

"About three hours"

"Three hours?!"

I blinked in shock, I've been asleep for three hours?! I'm turning into a second Prophecy

"Why didn't anyone wake me?" I asked feeling my cheeks redden in embarrassment.

"Alpha Penson said not to disturb you", he replied, "He said you needed the rest"

I sighed, disappointed in myself. I couldn't believe I had fallen asleep at the library when we had come here to collect important information. What a waste of a good day!

"Ugh, this is a disaster", I said dejectedly, slumping over the table, "Were you here guarding me all this time?"

He nodded.

"I'm sorry"

"Not at all. This is my job", he replied, expressionlessly.

"Well thank you, then", I said, "Where are Alpha Penson and Rino though?"

"Alpha Penson is in the restricted grounds", he said gesturing towards them with his head, "And Master Rino just went to the use the bathroom a few seconds ago. Also, I believe the King will be here soon"

"Really?" I said sitting up again.

"I was asked by Alpha Penson to escort you outside if you woke up before the King arrived", Neil told me.

"Oh, okay then", I said getting off my chair. My butt was so sore I could hardly feel it, "But wait, what about Alpha Penson and Rino?"

"Alpha Penson said we could go ahead and that he'd catch up", Neil replied, "And Master Rino dragged one of my men with him to show him the way so I'll mindlink him to bring him outside when he's done"

I nodded smiling and quickly ran my hands through my hair as we began walking. I was pretty sure my appearance wasn't very presentable right now.

"Do I look like a mess?" I asked Neil who seemed taken aback by my question.

"Uh..." he blinked, "You want an honest answer Luna?"

"Yes?"

"A little bit", he replied and I groaned as I pulled my hair into a bun quickly.

"Better?" I asked skeptically and I was surprised to see him give me a smile as he nodded.

"Yes, Luna", he replied.

I smiled back, "That's good then", I said before my eyes fell to the book about Soulmates in his hand.

"You must really like that book huh?" I said and his face immediately fell.

"Not really", he replied quietly and I immediately got a hint that the topic of mates was forbidden territory to him.

So I dropped it immediately, looking away from him wondering why almost every other werewolf I met seemed to have some or the other kind of aversion to their mates. I always thought the concept of soulmates was beautiful, and I still do.

But I guess different people are different.

Like Marco...

Speaking of Marco.

"Hey, did anything important happen while I was asleep?" I asked Neil, "Any news from Zuerien or Marco and the others?"

"I'm afraid none that was very fruitful", he replied and my shoulders slumped, "Oh..."

I wondered if Alpha Penson had heard anything from the Overseer or Mr. Talon. I hoped he had. Any new developments would be great at this point.

"Is Prophecy awake?" I asked as we reached the door to the Hall of Fiction.

"I'm afraid not", he replied and I nodded, "Please wait here for me, Luna. I just need to go return this Book and have a word with the librarian"

"Sure", I said and he hurried to the librarian's desk where I noticed that a different person now sat in place of Gale.

I wonder if his shift is over...

I turned to the door behind me and walked outside to stand in the corridor. The minute I did, fresh air from the open lawns on either side hit my flushed body and I took a deep breath, relishing the rich enticing smell of wet soil.

Zuerien's scent

I smiled at that thought, taking a few more deep breaths. I hoped that they had at least discovered something helpful today.

It was still drizzling out and I wondered if Rino was okay. I really hoped he wasn't blaming himself for what happened to me again. Closing my eyes, I let the cool breeze caress my face as I listened to the sound of the softly falling raindrops all around me. Despite all the chaos that was happening in my life right now, in this moment, I felt peaceful.

And for that, I was truly grateful.

I would remember it.

"It remembers..."

I sucked in a sharp breath as the words from my dream resounded in my head once more.

"What the mind forgets...the heart often remembers..."

That dream...

It had been so surreal and yet so captivating. Like I had been teleported to a different realm. An ancient realm.

Those voices...

That meadow...

And...that song...

They were all so...spellbinding!

I recollected the events that had taken place in it one by one. The voice that had spoken in the very beginning was the same one I had heard in my mind earlier this morning when I had been sitting with Rino.

But that one that had spoken in the end was one that I had never heard before. It was a boy's voice, youthful and yet wise at the same time. And the words he had held an undeniable weight to them.

A meaning...

And then...there was that woman. The red-haired woman who was singing under the tree. She had had a beautiful voice- sweet yet powerful. And her song...it had seemed magical. Almost...prophetic!

She was another person whose aura had seemed familiar, and yet I didn't remember ever having met her before. Just like with that Beast.

Could she also have been someone I had known in a past life?

I was about to delve deeper into that thought when someone behind me cried out, "Aaaah!"

A heavy body crashed into my back making me tumble forward from the impact. I barely had the time to let out a gasp of shock before I landed on the ground hand on my hands and knees.

"Owowowowow", I mumbled in pain as I sat up wincing.

"Blast! Oh I do beg your pardon! I'm so sorry!"

I recognized that voice immediately as I turned around.

"Gale", I said as he blinked at me through his glasses which now sat crookedly on his nose.

"Miss Suzzanah!" he cried out, looking even more horrified, "Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry. Are you alright?"

I nodded, "I'm okay, don't worry about it", I said before looking around at all the scattered books.

So he tripped while carrying a stack of books again...

"I didn't see you at all because it was dark out here", he told me, features painted with genuine guilt, "Here let me help you up"

"I told you I'm fine", I said with a smile, "Falling is sort of in my everyday routine. I'll help you with these books"

"Oh no please! You don't have to trouble yourself with these!" he said hurriedly collecting them and standing up, lending me a hand.

I took it and pulled myself up to my feet again, picking up his walking stick as well.

"I'm truly and most profoundly sorry, Miss", he said again and I shook my head.

"Gale, its okay!" I told him smiling, "Please don't apologize anymore. It wasn't a big deal"

He cringed before bending towards me slightly and whispering, "Well then...if I may, could I burden you to please keep this encounter clandestine?" he asked worriedly and I grinned.

"Not tell Neil you mean? Sure", I replied and he immediately grinned back.

"Oh thank you! You have my deepest gratitude!" he said happily.

"I thought you left", I said, "You sure do have long working hours"

"Oh I don't mind. I adore this job!" he said, "Are you certain you are not injured? Mayhap your knees?"

"No Gale!" I said, shaking my head, "Honestly you almost worry as much as my ma-boyfriend", I quickly caught myself.

"O-oh! Your boyfriend", he said nodding, "I hope he treats you well"

"He does", I replied warmly.

"Splendid!" he said, "Miss Suzzanah its been a pleasure conversing with you but I'm afraid the shelves are quite lonely without their occupants and I must deliver these to their rightful destination at the earliest, so if I may be excused"

"Oh sure", I said moving out of his way, "Have a nice evening"

"Thank you! I wish you the same", he said and began walking away.

"Oh Gale, wait!" I said quickly running after him, "You forgot your stick!"

Gale's head whirled around so fast, I was afraid he had gotten whiplash from it. And for a second he just stared at me as though I had caught him stealing gold from a safe before he quickly snapped out of it and smiled.

"Oh, I do beg your pardon", he said hastily grabbing the walking stick, "Thank you again, Miss"

With that he turned and hastened away leaving me blinking in confusion. He really was a strange boy.

"Luna?"

I turned to find Neil come up behind me, "I'm so sorry for the delay. Shall we go?"

I nodded, "Yeah", I replied and we began walking again.

As we made our way out of the library, I noticed that the dark night sky was still heavy with grey-black clouds that were pouring down a soft drizzle, and promising heavier rains to come.

"The Alpha King and his company will be here in about 10 to15 minutes", Neil told me.

I nodded, "Okay. Hey, is there a water cooler around here somewhere?"

"They've already put all the coolers away for today", he said, "But there is a small convenience store right next-door. I'll have someone go buy you a bottle"

"If its right next door I can go buy it myself", I said, "I don't want them to have to run errands for me. Besides I really need the walk. My feet seem to be falling asleep", I told him, "Is that okay?"

"If that's what you want, Luna", he replied, "I'll come with you"

I smiled, "Lets go", I said and began walking in the direction he had pointed.

Neil grabbed an umbrella and held it over my head, and I thanked him before adjusting it such that it covered his head too. Personally, I would have liked to just walk in the rain but if I caught a cold, Zuerien would kill the bodyguards.

The thought of him made me smile. It had been a long day without him and I was looking forward to seeing him again.

Like he had said the store was just a block or two away from the library. The walk was pleasant, the cool breeze feeling wonderful against my skin. Neither of us said a word, but the silence was comfortable.

The inside of the convenience store was extremely hot and stuffy. Apparently the air-conditioning wasn't working but thankfully there weren't many people at the cashier's counter so billing wouldn't take too long. Neil asked me to wait outside under the sunshade while he finished the billing.

Thanking him, I did as I was asked because I was starting to feel suffocated and a little nauseous inside the store. But honestly who would have guessed that a guy as rough looking as Neil would be so sweet? His mate was lucky.

But then...

Deciding that I didn't want to start thinking about his personal matters, I quickly stepped out of the convenience store standing under the sunshade where Neil could see me, and taking deep breaths of the fresh air.

The rain had gotten heavier now and the wind was blowing harder than before but it still felt good to be outside after having spent the whole day indoors. This place was pretty isolated, with a store or two on this side of the road but most of them were closed down, and on the other side there was nothing but tall trees and vegetation, probably leading into the woods again.

I wondered if Zuerien had already reached the library. If he had he would definitely come down here to get me. I was about to mindlink him when a soft breeze blew towards me and I suddenly I heard the sound of someone crying. Surprised, I immediately looked around wide-eyed. The road was still completely deserted with no one around as far as I could see.

So then...

I heard it again in the wind a second time, more evidently this time. It was a soft voice, gentle and young. Feminine, for sure, I noted, and it was followed by the flutter of a very faint aura that immediately caught my attention. I turned to look in the direction where the breeze was coming from, searching.

That aura...

It was extremely faint, but undoubtedly...familiar.

And it didn't seem like its source was too faraway. I took an involuntary step in the direction that I thought I had felt it come from when I heard the soft sobbing for a third time followed by that very same aura.

I took another step towards my right and instantly my body was bombarded with a thousand distressing emotions. I gasped as feelings of extreme fear, helplessness and despair washed over me all at once, followed by an overwhelming sense of self-loathing that was slowly expanding into an abyss of hopelessness.

They were all powerful emotions.

And they were not mine.

My gaze continued to search for the person around the small shops next to the convenience store. Since most of them were closed for some reason and the street on that side was dimly lit, it was hard to see but suddenly my eyes zeroed in on something behind a stack of boxes a few shops to my right.

I squinted before walking out from under the sunshade with the umbrella over my head to get a better look behind those boxes and my eyes immediately zeroed in on a small figure sitting huddled up in the dark against a closed shutter 2 shops away, and sobbing into her knees.

My eyes widened at the sight of her. Who was she? And what was she doing here all alone? There was no shade above her head and she had no umbrella. She was completely drenched.

And the sight of her made my chest ache.

I turned to look into the shop behind me. It was almost Neil's turn to get billed and the girl was only a short distance away. I was about to call out to him when her emotions hit me hard once more. They were so intense that they made my voice catch in my throat.

Pain...

My head whipped towards her again. Was she injured? But when I sensed it again, I realized that it didn't feel like physical pain. And the longer I looked at her, the more her aura struck me.

This aura...

Where have I felt this before...?

Almost as though without conscious control, my feet began to carry me towards her, and with every step I took, the emotions coursing through me grew stronger. As I got closer I began to get a better look at her even though it was quite dimly lit where she was sitting huddled up next to stack of boxes.

She was a small person, a teenager perhaps. Her white dress that fell to her ankles, completely drenched much like her hair and skin as she sat there sobbing and gasping for breath.

And I immediately felt my heart clench in pain for her.

"Hey, are you okay honey?" I asked softly and she immediately tensed and stopped crying, gripping her knees tighter.

I took a careful step closer and immediately noticed that she was shivering and backing away from me, her breathing ragged.

She is afraid.

"Its okay, its okay, I won't hurt you", I assured her gently.

She didn't look at me or say anything, just stayed pressed up against the shutter, trembling and hugging herself, her face still buried in her knees. My heart welled with compassion as I watched her.

"Sweetie I wont hurt you I promise", I told her, taking another hesitant step closer, "What are you doing here alone? Are you lost?"

She still didn't reply, but I immediately felt her fear and despair surface once more.

"Please talk to me", I pleaded, "I want to help you"

She remained silent, never saying a word, but her powerful emotions spoke volumes for her as they coursed through me. There were many feelings that hit me then, but the one that stood out most was...definitely...

Longing...

A deep, insatiable longing...

"Do you need a phone?" I asked, "Do you want to call your family?"

The longing instantly grew, but with it came uncertainty.

"I'm sure they're worried about you", I said gently, "What do you say? Let's get you home-"

"Can't"

My eyes widened at the unexpected reply. It was muffled but she had definitely spoken to me just now.

Can't, she had said. She can't go home?

"Why not?" I asked but she didn't reply.

Did she not have a home to go back to?

The longing she was feeling stayed unchanged, but an undeniable sense of guilt slowly began to seep into me. And that ever present feeling of self-hatred grew even more.

The feeling of being a coward.

The feeling of being too weak.

The feeling of not being good enough.

But what did any of that have to do with not being able to go home? Did she not want to...or did she feel like she couldn't?

The wind howled, blowing against us making me shiver. It was cold and she was sitting here completely drenched. And it didn't seem like she would come with me even if I asked her to, so I knelt down in front of her instead.

I felt her grip her legs more tightly, her body trembling- partially from the cold and partially from the fear. But I could tell she was forcing herself to not cry in front of me. She was trying to be strong.

Almost as if she had to.

Because there was something she needed to do.

"Are you here for a reason?" I found myself asking and she tensed again, "Is that why you can't go home?" I asked and her despair intensified.

I was right.

"I can help you if you want", I offered.

There it was again, that feeling of self-hatred for being too weak.

I smiled tenderly at her, "Hey, its okay you know. There is nothing wrong with asking for help sometimes"

Ordinarily such words wouldn't mean much coming from a stranger, but I could tell that, albeit infinitesimally, my words were slowly getting through to her. And yet, her feelings of self-hatred, cowardice and not being good enough continued to grow. 

"Asking for help doesn't make you a weak hon", I found myself saying as though in response to her emotions, "And being afraid doesn't make you a coward"

She sucked in a sharp breath and surprise flitted through me. She was surprised at how I could tell. I smiled, glad that she was listening.

"Everybody gets scared", I told her, "Everyone does. And that's okay. It doesn't make you a weakling, it just makes you human. And being human...isn't that bad"

Tilting the umbrella towards her, I covered her with it. Cold water droplets began to cascade down my exposed back, but I didn't mind. Because slowly but surely, I could feel her apprehension begin to quell.

"Don't worry about not being good enough for others", I told her gently, going purely by what I could sense in her emotions, "You will always be good enough for those who really love you, just the way you are. They are the ones that matter and not everyone else who considers you weak. The only person you need to prove your worth to is yourself. And the first step to doing that...is loving yourself"

I didn't know if what I was saying was helping her in any way, but I could tell that she wanted to hear this. Needed to hear this.

"Everything will be okay", I told her, meaning it with all my heart, "Maybe not immediately, but one day, everything will be okay. And I can say that...as one who can remember being in a situation very similar to yours when I was younger"

Painful memories from my childhood began to flood my mind but I quickly pushed them away. The young girl before me slowly began to lift her head. She was no longer trembling and although her distressing emotions remained, they had calmed considerably.

"Just hang on and believe in yourself. It'll work out, I promise", I assured her again, "So if whatever you came here to do today didn't work out, don't be too hard on yourself. There's always tomorrow"

It was vague, but I definitely sensed it. The faint glimmer of hope that began to take root inside her and I smiled, relieved. However little, I was glad that my words had managed to comfort her.

Her feelings of uncertainty remained, but the helplessness was no longer pronounced. Instead, there was the will to take a chance. A will to perhaps...hope for better.

Despite the cold that was beginning to make my teeth clatter slightly, I smiled, warmth welling up inside of me.

"There's always tomorrow", I told her again and held my hand out to her, "So what do you say we call it a day for today, huh?" I asked her, "Let's get you home"

Her despair and insecurities suddenly began to vanish and a strange feeling of realization followed by an overpowering sense of awe began to flood my veins.

And with it once again arose the aura that had drawn me to this girl in the first place. My eyes widened as she started to feel more and more familiar with every passing second.

Where have I sensed this aura before?

And...who is this girl?

I still hadn't seen her face. My lips parted and I was about to ask her name when I heard a loud, panicked bellow.

"LUNA!"

I gasped at the same time that the young girl before me did. Neil?

I quickly turned my head towards the convenience store where I could hear his panicked voice coming from. He probably couldn't see me where I was sitting just a short distance away because of the boxes that were that blocked the view, so I quickly shot to my feet.

"Just a second, kay?" I told her before walking out from behind the boxes to the side of the road.

"Neil!" I cried out and he whipped around, wide-eyed.

"Luna!" he exclaimed rushing up to me, "Oh thank god! Are you alright?"

"I'm alright but you're getting wet-"

"I'm getting wet?! Luna, you're soaked!" he cried out, quickly taking off his jacket and holding the dry surface of it up over my head, "What happened to your umbrella?" he asked me worriedly as he began to usher me out of the rain.

I turned towards the young girl behind me, "Oh it's right-"

My voice immediately caught in my throat, words dying in my mouth as I now stared at an empty spot against the shutter. The young girl in the white dress was no longer there.

What?!

"That girl..." I breathed out shocked, "Where..."

"What girl Luna?" Neil asked confused, still trying to get me under the sunshade.

"She was...she was just here", I said shocked, stumbling towards the shop where my umbrella now lay upturned.

She just...disappeared...!

So she wasn't...human...?

"Who was here?" Neil asked again rushing to get my umbrella, "Someone you know?"

I found myself nodding before I caught myself, "Huh? No. I didn't know her- I mean...I think I didn't"

A cold gust of wind blew against me as Neil grabbed the umbrella and I gasped as whatever remained of that girl's aura suddenly hit me hard one last time.

And I recognized it.

The red-haired woman from my dream earlier suddenly flashed in my mind and I realized that it was her aura. It was the presence I had felt in my dream that had also drawn me to that young girl. They were...the same and yet, they were not.

Because I had never met the red-haired woman from my dream, but...I felt like I had met that young girl before. My soul had been too weak to sense her aura well enough to recognize it. But I felt like I had met her before.

But...where...?

Neil held the umbrella over my head, "Come on Queen, lets get you to a dry place", he said, hurriedly leading me out of the downpour. I was too shocked and lost in my thoughts to protest.

"The King is going to kill me", Neil said worriedly, "Luna, are you sure you're okay?"

I looked at him and nodded absently.

"Then why did you block me out?" he asked and I frowned.

"I didn't-", I remembered the mind block Karina had put up. So it was still there then?

I shook my head, finding it hard to speak, "I-I'm sorry I...I-I just I...", I sighed and held my head, "I don't know", I told him.

He looked at me concernedly as he quickly led me to the convenience store and under the sunshade, out of the heavy rain. It seemed that the first thing I needed to figure out was how to remove the mind-block that Karina had unknowingly put up on my mind too.

"Do you need to sit down?" he asked me and I shook my head.

"No, thank you. I'm alright", I told him and drank the water he offered me.

"The Alpha is on his way", Neil told me and I nodded, putting my arms around my shivering frame. I was normally so cold intolerant, I was surprised I hadn't frozen over yet.

My eyes then fell to the Gem Ignis bracelet on my wrist and I realized that all this time, it had actually been keeping me warm to some extent.

"You said you saw a girl there by that shop?" Neil asked and I nodded. He frowned, "Was she human?"

I shook my head, "If she was then she must have been a magician", I replied, "She disappeared in but a second"

"All this heavy rain is making it really hard to sense any auras", Neil said before looking at me worriedly, "Luna you really shouldn't approach strangers like that. Its dangerous!"

But she didn't feel like a stranger though...

I cringed, "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you", I replied apologetically, "And now you're completely drenched too"

He shook his head, "You don't have to apologize Luna. Its just a little water", Neil replied.

"I'll make sure you don't get in trouble with Zuerien, I promise", I told him and he cringed, looking embarrassed that he was actually worried about it.

I looked down at my feet where a small puddle had formed around me and sighed.

What a day...

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, not quite as shocked I should have been about that girl having disappeared. Things like this had sort of become an everyday thing for me. It seemed now I had something new to tell Zuerien, Alpha Penson and the others after all.

I just hope she got back home okay...

Somehow I never managed to have an uneventful day. Only problem being that the events that did occur always left me with more questions and no answers. At least it seemed like this day was finally coming to a close and there would be no more excitement for today.

But I needed to at least ensure that I didn't catch a cold or I wouldn't be very productive tomorrow. Opening my eyes, I was about to ask Neil if they had any towels in the convenience store when all of a sudden my mind blanked and I recognized the familiar feeling of mindlink.

Queen

And my eyes widened in alarm, Marco! I exclaimed, Can you hear me?

Yeah, he replied and I gasped. Could Karina have lifted the block?

I...

Huh? What? I asked, my mind still on Karina when I realized that his voice sounded a little off, Marco...is something wrong?

Queen, he said meaningfully and realization hit me just a second before he finished his sentence,

I found Megan

*****

Random Question of the Day: What is your favorite overall chapter in the Book so far?

A/N

Muhahahaha *evil laughter*

Hey guys,

Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who have nominated me in the Fiction Awards this year! I really appreciate it! I don't think I'll win but its the thought that counts, so thank you!

So, lets dig into this chapter's questionnaire.

How do you feel about the Firestorm family?

Karina has a part of Suzzanah's soul and its interfering with her mindlink! OMG waht?

Gale is ever the strange one right? Thoughts?

And Suzzanah had another dream! Does that red-haired woman who was singing under the tree sound familiar to anyone? *wink-wink*

Also, who could the poor girl by that shop be?

And finally, MARCO FOUND MEGAN! WHAAT?!

I worked very hard on the last 2 chapters so I hope you liked it. I'm super busy in the weeks to come and I'm travelling a lot so please don't expect an update next Sunday. This was compensation :)

As always, thank you so much for the support!

Did you enjoy this chapter?

If you did, please do VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE!

Until next time,

All my love,

May