Lunar Shadows: Awaken

Selene

Hazel grabs my hand again firmly in her heated palm as we pass through into the booming club. “Let’s go get some drinks!” she yells over the music, pulling me along toward the bar.

Ria takes the lead, easily carving a path through gyrating bodies. In the flashing lights, I can make out Treyvar behind the bar as he turns toward us from the far end. Melody squeezes in between Ria and I, giving him a wide smile as he approaches.

“Ladies,” he greets with an easy smile, his earlier awkward demeanor completely erased from him. “What can I get for you?”

Each of the girls order their drinks, laughing and flirting as he makes them. I watch as they take the glasses as he hands them out, all three of them being borderline obnoxious as they lean too far over the bar, pushing their chests out, and gliding their hands over his arms. Treyvar looks disheveled as he gets to me with the girls stepping back and forming a small group, laughing together.

“How about you, what can I do for you?” he asks, straightening his shirt and hair.

I just hold up my hand, shaking my head slightly. “Nothing for me, thank you, though,” I say politely. “Oh, Kyran has my purse, could you open a tab?”

Glancing at the girls, he just shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it,” he mutters, moving toward another customer.

“Come on, Sel, let’s dance,” Ria cheers, disappearing into the crowded floor.

Hazel and Melody each grab my hands, chasing after Ria. As the swarm of bodies swallows me whole, I briefly feel anxious, remembering last night. With my chest constricting, I breathe shallowly for a moment, wondering if Kyran is going to find me in here. I honestly cannot picture him in this club, I give a little laugh at the thought and my tension eases a bit.

Glancing up, I see Ria with her drink held high as her hair flies around her while she dances. We catch up shortly and the twins don’t let my hands go.

“Dance, Selene, have some fun,” Hazel says lowly, holding my gaze with a grin.

I feel my anxiety wash away, the music freeing me as laughter bubbles up from my chest while I dance. Time seems to melt away with the hypnotic energy coursing around the club and my body feels like it's floating with my movements. Tilting my head back, the colors of the lights swirl like a kaleidoscope and I laugh at the mesmerizing sight, spinning around and around until they blur into glittery streams. The bass of the music thrums beneath my skin and I can’t stop the euphoric feeling from taking me over.

Warm hands gently caress my bare shoulders, making me shiver with pleasure. Rolling my head to the side, I find Kyran close behind me and I step backward into him, taking his hands and drawing them down my sides slowly. Placing his hands on the front of my hips, I dance to the music, threading my fingers through his. The heat of his body is heady, making me feel as if I am weightless. Closing my eyes, I tip my head back against his firm chest as we move. I feel him bend, resting his forehead on my temple as his nose brushes my cheek and sends tingles down my spine. Smiling wide, I slide my hand up his arm and over his broad shoulder, gripping the back of his neck. Kyran pushes lightly against my hips, turning me around. I snake my other arm up around him, pulling him close. His hands press on my lower back as he gazes down at me, his amber eyes glowing in the neon lights. Kyran’s brow pulls down a little and he dips his head toward mine.

“Hey, you look a little flushed. Would you like me to get you some water?” he asks, his husky voice tickling my ear.

“Yeah, thank you, that’d be great,” I breathe, blinking up at him as he pulls away slowly with a nod and disappears.

Feeling a little hazy, I look around for Ria but she’s nowhere to be found. My gaze drifts past Melody, however, and I wiggle my way toward her, my head swimming a bit with my movements. Leaning over, I say loudly, “Hey, I gotta go to the bathroom. Be right back!” and give her a slanted smile.

Not knowing where the bathroom is in here, I turn toward the passageway and push through worming bodies, feeling a little uneasy. Seeing the curtains, I pull one aside and use it to support some of my body weight. Wow, she wasn’t kidding when she said it’s wild in here, I mumble to myself as I walk through with shaky legs.

As I push aside the curtains to the lounge, I run into the pretty red-headed waitress by accident. “Oh, oops, I’m so sorry,” I apologize, putting a hand to my forehead as sudden queasiness washes over me.

Her indigo eyes bore into me as she stares at me intently. Grabbing my wrist, she asks harshly, “Are you feeling alright?”

I am instantly overcome with severe dizziness as the room seems to spin and makes me feel off kilter. Reaching out, I place my hand flat against a wall, taking deep breaths. My stomach twists a little, and with another breath, things settle slightly. Opening my eyes, I notice how the waitress is gone as if she was never there to begin with. Standing upright, I unsteadily cross the bar toward the bathroom, waiting in line. I carefully make my way into a stall and sit on the toilet with my head between my knees. Squeezing my eyes shut, it takes a few moments for the dizziness to fade and I let out a breath in relief for not getting sick. Sitting up, I do a mental check over my body. Feeling mostly normal, I push to my feet and step out of the stall, my body careening slightly to the side and I let out a nervous laugh as I reach a hand out to steady myself against the sink.

A young pair of women give me knowing looks with sly smiles as they throw paper towels into the trash and giggle on their way through the door. My brow pinches with worry at how unsteady I feel as I turn to fix my makeup in the mirror and run my fingers through my hair. I smile at myself a little, thinking about Kyran and the way his body felt against mine as I smooth my hands over my clothes. As I carefully make my way back across the bar, I see the girls coming through the curtain laughing with Kyran and Treyvar behind them. I turn toward an empty table and drop into a seat as they all make their way over.

“I couldn’t find you in there, I’m glad to see you out here. I’ll be back with some more water, don’t go anywhere,” Kyran murmurs beside me, winking. “Would anyone else like another drink?” he asks, glancing at the others.

My head swims as I look around and I blink a few times feeling disconcerted. I watch Treyvar follow Kyran to the bar as the girls take their seats around the table. Melody and Ria are chatting animatedly about something I can’t focus on, their voices blending together incoherently. Hazel quickly gets up, going to the bar to grab the drinks, returning to hand them out and placing mine in front of me with a clunk.

Seeing the clear water and ice floating around, I gulp it down greedily as I suddenly feel really parched. Finishing the glass, I taste something off, something bitter. Scrunching my brow, I hold it in front of me, trying to smell anything from the glass. My vision blurs slightly after a few moments pass and I wonder, what the hell? Am I drunk?

Suddenly feeling pissed off, I push to my feet and glare at Kyran as I cross the floor unsteadily. He notices me coming and smiles, leaning over the bar on his elbows. Wobbling on my feet, I sneer at him and the glass slips from my slack fingers as I drop it on the bartop, sending shards flying everywhere.

“Selene?” Kyran asks, alarmed. “Are you alright?”

“How could you? I trusted you,” I slur as my chest constricts with my emotions, gripping the edge of the bar.

“What? What do you mean?” he asks quickly and I can’t focus on him as my vision blurs. “Selene? Selene, look at me,” his voice is hard as he takes my hand firmly, giving a slight tug and his bright eyes are tight with his intense gaze.

I close my eyes when his skin presses against mine, a warm clarity embracing me at his touch and my stomach drops out below me. I gasp, my eyes flying to his concerned gaze as realization dawns on me. I know I didn’t have any alcohol. Kyran didn’t—wouldn’t—do this to me. Only a monster—

“Ky, I don’t know—I can’t—” I stammer as my hand slips out from his grasp with my body rapidly growing heavy. “Help me,” I beg on a whisper, slumping forward.

I barely register my head hitting the bar top as my body crumples to the floor before passing out.

Kyran

The moment her hand slipped from mine, everything moved in slow motion as if time was freezing. Watching Selene collapse, I plant my hands on the bar and vaulting over it before pulling her limp body into my arms. I can feel her heart beating and hear her shallow breathing and I release a pent up breath of my own.

“Psh, lightweight,” I hear Treyvar tease jokingly.

I launch to my feet, cradling Selene with my rage lighting an inferno inside me. “She didn’t drink any alcohol you fucking bastard,” I snap, glaring at him, “what the fuck did you give her in there?” I seethe as my chest heaves in anger.

“Sh—I—she didn’t have anything,” he stammers, his eyes rounding with fear as he lifts his hands placatingly.

Sensing his truth, my skin crawls hotly at my next words. “She has been drugged, Trey. Someone in here dosed her with venom, I can smell it in her. Make sure her sister gets home safely and bring her things back to my room when you get home,” I order him tersely.

Turning sharply, the murmuring crowd parts quickly as I push my way toward the alley exit, holding Selene to my chest tightly. Shouldering the door open, I hurry to my truck, pushing my healing power into her body to no avail. Shifting her weight to one arm, I pull the door open, gently laying Selene on the bench and lifting her up as I climb in behind the wheel. Carefully setting her head and shoulders in my lap, I brush silky strands of hair away from her beautiful face, clenching my jaw so tight I fear my teeth may crack. My truck roars to life and I take off toward home, driving faster than I ever have before.

Eir, meet me in my rooms, immediately. Find and take whatever you need to help treat venom ingestion. I will be there soon, I mindlink our best healer, tearing out of town.

Has someone been bitten? There isn’t much I can do except comfort and sedate, her soft voice responds hesitantly.

No, she drank it, unknowingly. Someone intentionally drugged her at Howler’s. Please tell me you can heal her, I plead, glancing down at her unresponsive body.

Yes, Alpha, I believe I can, as long as no blood came in contact with her. I will be prepared, waiting by your door, she immediately responds in a strong voice.

Kicking the garage door open, the knob shatters as I burst through, racing up the stairs to my rooms. Seeing Eir at the threshold, her face is pinched with concern as I nod my head at the door and she quickly opens it, stepping aside for us.

“Put her in the shower, this is going to be messy,” she calls behind me in a tight voice.

Kneeling down on the cold tile with Selene, I gently lay her beside me and look to Eir helplessly. She sets a basket down on the floor and kneels next to me, placing her hands over Selene’s stomach. A soft, warm glow emanates from her palms and her brow pinches in concentration. Pulling her hands back, she murmurs, “This is the strongest venom I’ve ever felt,” as she hastily takes vials out of the basket and uncorks them.

“Sit her up, but be prepared to turn her sideways. I’m first going to purge her, then evaluate the toxin level and I may need to do it a second time. Afterward, I will need to purify her blood and we will have to move fast for this to be successful. Do not hesitate with any command I give you and please, trust me,” she says sternly, taking my hands in hers as her golden eyes burn into mine.

Nodding my head, I squeeze her hands tightly, whispering, “I trust you.”

Taking a measured breath, she nods once and releases me. “Are you ready, Kyran?” she asks lowly.

I move behind Selene, lifting her gently and resting her back against my chest, nodding at Eir. “I’m ready.”

She reaches up to open Selene’s slack mouth, tipping her head back slightly and pouring a cloudy vile down her throat. Dropping her hands, she motions around Selene’s abdomen a few times then quickly circles her hands upward twice, following a line up to Selene’s mouth. “Quickly now, turn her over,” Eir directs me and I twist away from her, holding Selene’s chest and head in my arms.

Her body convulses, heaving as she violently vomits, then falls still as her body goes listless once more. Rolling us back and sitting upright, I watch anxiously as Eir’s hands glow over Selene again, assessing her. Shaking her head, she pours another vial into Selene’s mouth and we repeat the process, a low moan leaving Selene afterward.

“Selene? Can you hear me?” I search her face for any sign of awareness, seeing no change. “Please stay with me, sweetheart,” I murmur into her hair and press a kiss to the top of her head.

Eir moves away, removing Selene’s shoes and begins unbuttoning her pants. I lift her body to help as Eir pulls her jeans down her legs, leaving her in the white bodysuit. My brow draws tight as I notice Eir takes a scalpel out of the basket but I remain silent as I trust her, waiting for direction. Looking at me, Eir speaks firmly, “When I cut her, hold her tightly, restrain her limbs and do not let go, no matter what. I am going to use an immense amount of magic and I will need to siphon your energy to complete her healing. When I touch you, please do not resist me. I will not harm you, Kyran,” she adds, quietly with a gentle look in her bright eyes.

I wrap my arms around Selene, pinning her arms to her body and grasp her hands in mine. Lifting my feet, I hook them over her knees and press my legs firmly down atop hers, using just enough pressure to immobilize her. Nodding at Eir, she nods back and readies herself, lifting her open hand with her fingers splayed above Selene’s left thigh. The air around her hand becomes blurry with the magic she draws forth. The moment Eir presses the blade to her inner thigh, Selene’s blood pulls upward and streams into the air, pooling into a swirling sphere suspended with Eir’s magic. I stare completely mesmerized as Eir keeps the shape with her left hand and raises her right hand which is glowing with her warm healing light. She shoves her hand into the globe of blood, illuminating it like a bulb as her healing magic purifies it of the venom.

“Take the blade and cut a vein, anywhere you can reach without letting her go,” Eir directs, her voice strained as she concentrates.

Grasping Selene’s wrists with my right hand, I hold firmly and take the scalpel in my left, quickly dragging it along a vein at the back of her hand. A thin rivulet of glowing blood flows into her hand and my gaze follows it up to Eir as she guides the blood, performing a magical transfusion. I’ve neither heard of nor seen anything like this in my entire life.

Selene’s body bursts with blinding light, her limbs straining against me as her back arches and she throws her head back. A keening wail similar to that of a howl rips from her throat and pierces straight into my heart. Valdr bristles inside as I hear a low whine in my mind. She remains like this with her body taught and writhing, an endless cry echoing, and the bright, pulsating white light emitting from her as Eir keeps the flow of her blood running until the glow streams out from her leg.

Removing her hand from the suspended orb, Eir guides both of her hands toward each cut, returning the blood into Selene’s body. Slumping down on shaky arms with labored breaths, Eir stares hauntingly at Selene, as if she’s seen a ghost. Glancing down, I notice the blood seeping out of her leg and my eyes widen with alarm.

“Eir, her leg. Eir? Eir!” shout sharply, snapping her out of her trance.

She abruptly grips my arm with both hands and I instinctively brace myself at the sensation, fighting the invasion. Her fingernails dig into my arm and I relent, allowing my energy to drain into her, fueling her healing power. I feel cold shudder against the shower tiles as I cling to Selene still trashing against me unconsciously. A few more seconds pass and I begin to feel faint—the same sensation as if I’ve lost too much blood—before Eir pulls away with her pale skin flushed warmly.

Pressing her hands to Selene’s gash, the bleeding abates slowly, taking longer than it should to stop. I lift my leg up slightly to make contact with Eir, pushing the rest of my healing power into her and closing Selene’s wound. Eir carefully removes her hands as our collective energies become totally spent and examines Selene as her body falls limp once more.

The white light glowing from Selene diminishes, barely perceptible now as she lies still, her skin looking almost translucent. The cut on her hand is gone, but there is a small pink scar on her inner thigh, unable to be fully healed away from the lack of power. Her clothes are ruined in a bloody mess from the thrashing. Her breathing is slow and even, as if she’s in a deep sleep.

I carefully release my hold on her, letting my limbs flop to the floor and glance at Eir. Sitting beside us, she hugs her knees with her thin legs folded close to her body. Bloody smears cover her arms and face, blending into her coppery hair. I watch her as she stares at Selene, her ageless face expressing the consternation she feels.

“That has never happened before,” she murmurs, not taking her eyes off Selene. “The thrashing, yes, but not that light,” her voice drifts off as she sits, frozen in place and staring blankly.

I glance down at Selene and her illuminated skin then flick my gaze back up at Eir, feeling completely exhausted and at a loss with everything that has happened in general at this point.

“Where—how did you find her?” she whispers, her gilded eyes flicking over to mine.

“The grocery store,” I say distantly, feeling quite displaced at the moment.

“The gro—ha,” Eir scoffs, wiping a bloody hand down her face.

Dropping her hand, she looks sideways at me as her mouth pulls into a line. “What do you know of this woman, Kyran?” she asks me seriously.

“In what way?” I hesitantly ask.

“As in, where she comes from? Where does she live?”

“Oh, yeah, about that. She, ah, lives with Hekate and her daughter, actually,” I gingerly reply with a wince.

Eir’s eyes round immediately then she barks out a laugh, looking toward the ceiling. “Hekate. Ugh, yes, I should have known,” she mumbles, dropping her head with a shake.

Taking a deep breath, she rises to her feet and swiftly gathers the vials and scalpel into the basket before placing her hands on her narrow hips. “Okay, first, I need to get her cleaned up then she needs to rest. Could you find some clothing for me to change her into? Also, she’ll need these in the morning,” she mutters as she hands me a small glass container.

Glancing down, I notice a few ibuprofen and look up at her bewildered, opening my mouth to ask her to explain herself but she raises a hand with a shake of her head. “It is not my place, Kyran, but you should go and speak with Hekate sooner rather than later. Some clothing, please,” she says with a sigh and gestures toward the door, turning to tend to Selene once more.

Stiffly leaving my bathroom, I cross my bedroom, placing the pills on my nightstand and head to my closet. Grabbing the first t-shirt I see and pulling open some drawers until I find some sweatpants, I make my way back to my bathroom. I hear Eir’s voice mumble softly, “Where is your wolf, ithildin? What happened to you?” as I enter, seeing her undressing Selene.

I abruptly turn on my heel, not intending to intrude on her privacy and place the clothes on the counter, leaving quietly. Running my hands through my hair, I suddenly realize how badly I need a shower. Grabbing a change of clothes for myself, I make my way to the door, averting my gaze as I cross through my bathroom. “I’ll be back in a moment. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call for me, I’ll be here right away,” I speak lowly, not waiting for a response.

I head down the stairs and into Trey’s room knowing he isn’t home yet. Closing his bathroom door, I turn the shower on to its hottest setting and peel my clothes off, tossing them in the trash. Stepping under the steaming water, I let it run over me as I tip my head back into the spray, thinking back on how quickly the night flipped from amazing to terrifying.

How could this have happened? Who the fuck would do something like this to her? I made damn sure the rogues were not in my bar tonight because of her attack last night. I was surprised she even wanted to come back at all, let alone so soon. No vampires remained at my bar after Caedes’ strange appearance, and he himself barely set foot in the bar to begin with. I was the only one to make her anything to drink tonight, and she only had juice and water. Treyvar swore she didn’t have anything in the club, and I didn’t smell anything on her while I was in there, either. How could this have happened? I feel frustrated and a growl vibrates through my chest.

Replaying the events over again, I cannot understand this. I scrub at my skin angrily until the water runs clean, shutting off the flow and harshly rubbing a towel over my body. Tugging on my clothes, I leave Trey’s room, flipping through images of everyone who came into contact with Selene tonight. It just does not make sense.

Wait, Valdr demands at the same time the realization hits me, recalling something off about the bar.

Clenching my jaw and fists, I slam Treyvar’s door open and stalk down the hallway, shoving the door open to a dark bedroom. Where the fuck is Vala? Valdr and I growl simultaneously.