Moon's Fury: Chapter Four: The Darkest Kiss

It hovered over the grassy plains like a silver disk in the sky; the thing Cymbeline stood watching. Her features arranged themselves into a frown as she pondered the meaning of it. It had been quite a while since she had ventured from the safety of her fortress and out into the world. She focused on the stillness of the night, as well as the rhythmic swishing of the long grass stalks caressing its neighbors. The night air vibrated almost as if a thrall lay upon world and some grand battle recently took place close by. 1

Her surroundings disturbed her greatly. This world was now void of all life, except her own; at least that is what she felt. Memory flashed: ragging fires consumed pillars of wood that was once her peoples' homes, the sky poured droplets of boiling silver acid, and then darkness set them all free. A whimper escaped her lips as pain sharp and fierce struck a heavy blow to her heart. 2

"They are all gone! My people, my lover, my children!" she said, barely speaking above a whisper, all determination had left her. "Mother moon, you forsake your own creations, and yet I am to blame. What goddess am I that walks this mortal plain, that falls ill to a mere sleeping drought?"3

She sighed, accepting the path fate had wrought for her. Her fist tightened over the hilt of her sword as a fierce gust of wind threatened to dispatch it from her waist. She wore only two purple sashes of the finest silk. Each wrapped meticulously around her body to conceal her womanly figure. Cymbeline was the striking image of a Amazonian, with charcoal hair down to her waist, smooth caramel skin tone, and a curvaceous body. She radiated beauty and danger, for all the deceptiveness of her femininity and some what fragile appearance, she was every bit a warrior and reeked of power. 4

Her eyes pierced the darkness around her as her mind lithely sought out a plan. "I, the wielder of your spirit mother moon, relinquish your powers for another who is worthy of your will!" Cymbeline spoke quickly, silver eyes instinctively scanning her surroundings as she made her way to her thrown, "I failed." 5

Sadness engulfed Cymbeline as she closed her eyes. She felt oddly at peace, as she thought about what was to come. She had to do this for herself, her people, and the next 'Nyx' . Her mind recognized the raised dagger, the blade shining a pale silver in the moon light. Her arms swung downward, and pain exploded deep within her belly. The silver dagger burned, its touch like a thousand fire ants eating away at her midriff. Her mouth opened in a silent scream of pain, until she felt the first tendrils of the Moon's presence shielding her in her last moments. 6

"The chosen one will come, and her name will be Elena." She whispered to the night as the steady thrum of her heart beat faltered and gave out. 7

Adrenaline coursed through my veins like hot lava as I bolted awake. My hands grasped my stomach where the dagger was buried as a strangled scream lodged itself in my throat. I gazed down at my belly confused. 8

"Where is it?" I asked, my voice shaking from fright. "The dagger was here! But, wher--?"9

"You were dreaming Elena." That melodic voice cut through the fear that grasped my heart like a vise, slowly receding as recognition dawned on me.10

"Jake?" I asked, my eyes searching the room for his figure. I spotted him lounging in a chair in front of my computer. The screen flickered as the monitor came to life; Jake's shoulder covering its contents from view. "How long have I been sleeping?"11

"Just through the night." He replied, eyes studying me intently; it was beginning to make me feel uncomfortable. 12

Becoming self conscious, I quickly ran a hand through my disheveled bangs, pausing to briefly rub my forehand and sooth it from the forming headache. "Jake, there have been some questions that have been," I sighed softly, "bugging me these past few weeks."13

I pushed myself into a sitting position on the bed, folding my legs Indian style. The covers slipped from my shoulders pooling against my legs, and I felt the intensity of his gaze increase. I followed his gaze down to my favorite pair of midnight blue pajamas. Blue. 14

Then I remembered. Running through the trees and foliage; faster and faster. The cool afternoon air caressing my skin and weaving its fingers through my hair as my anticipation built. Jake's paws trotted the ground like the steady beat of a drum merely inches behind me. Night came, and with it slumber. Something woke me up, other werewolves. We fought them the best we could, until they used golden daggers. Pain sharp and intense bloomed at my neck, a warm liquid spread down my chest. My nose caught the scent of blood; my own. Then the sea of blue clad bodies disappeared as a gruff voice spoke in my ear, and the horrible white cloth covered my nose and mouth. 'So, little one, your name is Elena?' I couldn't get away, and Jake couldn't help me. Dizzy. I had gotten dizzy, and the one with the gruff voice spoke again. 'It is done my lord.' Jake stood with the attackers help, and they bowed to him. 15

I was cold. My body began to shiver uncontrollably. I drew my legs upwards towards my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs burying my face against them. Jake appeared before me in seconds, his fingers gently digging into my shoulders. 16

"Elena? Whats wrong?" His voice quivered slightly in his concern, but I could not make my mouth work. "Elena speak to me!"17

Am I going crazy? Am I delusional? What the hell is going on? First I learn the change is coming, and with it the symptoms: nightmares, and heightening of the senses. But, these dreams I've been having aren't the normal type; they are so real! And, what about all this other weird stuff? Like this pheromone business with Jake, and his heart stopping before his change. Then those rogue werewolves attacked us, yet helped Jake for some reason... Why would they do that? Maybe they know him, but who is he really? What is he doing here? 18

"Jake tell me the truth," I asked softly, "please!" He lifted my chin upwards so I would look at him. A pair of mysterious green eyes stared back at me. 19

He has to tell me. I want him to; need him to. I feel so vulnerable not knowing. Can't he see what this is doing to me? 20

"I need you to fill in the blanks for me Jake, help me to understand. I have so many questions to ask, my mind is troubled by them all." I smiled slightly at him, pleading with my eyes for him to fulfill my needs. 21

"I'm not sure the truth would be any better, but I will tell you since I can't stand to see you look at me that way." Jake said stroking my cheek softly with one hand. I gently reached up and pulled his hand away. 22

"I need some distance right now Jake. I can't think straight with you so close. Your smell is very appealing, but distracting." He nodded more to himself, and pulled away to set on the edge of the bed with his back to me. I could sense the tension wafting off of him in waves. 23

He peered over his shoulder at me before asking, "Where would you like me to start?"24

Not wanting to meet his eyes I chose to stare at his back. "Do you know anything about these really vivid dreams I have been having?" I inquired. 25

"Just a little. With a werewolf's first change, he or she will have night terrors. Nightmares are different from night terrors because they are frightening and reoccurring. You" Jake said turning to face me fully on the bed,"are having night terrors, which is dreaming of something frightening, but you also wake up some where within the dream, and it causes anxiety."26

"But, what are the dreams normally about?" I asked choosing to stare at my toes.27

A smile began to form on his lips. "Blood, the hunt, sex, and that all over again." 28

"Oh, I see." I couldn't help from giggling in-spite of myself. "So then, there is no knowledge of werewolves having dreams about prophesies or ancient women named Nyx?" I asked shyly.29

Jake met my gaze quickly before looking away. He started fidgeting with the blanket. "No, not that I know of. If your having those types of dreams I would have to blame it on the amount of sugar in take!" Jake said laughing lightly.30

"Alright, what about this business with the pheromones? Can you explain that? I can't be walking with you in public and get dragged under by your scent like in the car!" I said, my eyes widening with the thought. 31

He chuckled openly. "I can't promise that won't happen. I mean, I am awfully gorgeous am I not?" Jake asked, ducking down towards my blushing face to peer up at me. 32

I grinned and play slapped him. Of course my hand never reached his face. Instead he caught it, turned it over palm upwards, and placed it in his. With his other hand he began lightly tracing the lines on my palm. 33

"Elena, pheromones are used within a pack. It is another form of communication, as well as individuality. By the scent alone a pack mate could tell if I was happy, sad, angry, or scared. However, it is also an individual scent, and what attracts other wolves to us, or our prey." Jake finished by trailing his index finger over my palm, and up to the base of my wrist. His fingers lingered there, playing over my erratic pulse. 34

"So I can smell the emotions?" I asked in disbelief. 35

"Yes, each of those has its own smell as well."36

I gazed at him, unable not to meet his eyes. "What does happiness smell like?"37

He merely smiled and said, "Scent the air." 38

I blushed slightly as I closed my eyes. I inhaled deeply, my nose sorting out each of the smells with canine expertness. I could smell the damp wood smell which could only be the White Oak that my house was built of. I kept sorting; plastic, the old attic smell from dust, washing powders, and something sweet.. Jake. Then my nose caught a hold of something warm, fresh, and slightly sweet. I gasped. "It smells kind of like sunshine!"39

I opened my eyes to see Jake smiling. My stomach did a flip, and I felt warm inside. "Jake, why didn't you tell me this before?"40

"I thought I was repeating something you already knew Elena, otherwise I would have done so a long time ago."41

"Alright. On to my next question. Right after the pheromones had affected me you had started acting strangely? You became really aggressive, fast! I had to turn off in the wrong area for you to change. But, when I did, you fell to the ground, and your heart stopped for a second... why?" I asked.42

This time he didn't meet my gaze, and instead he stared at my hand that he still held within his. Picking up his left, he began tracing the lines on my palm once more. All the happiness had left him. A damp smell tainted the air, lightly playing with my senses. 43

Is this what sadness smells like? 44

"Elena, you have to understand something. That day I had wanted to get you alone. Don't misunderstand me when I say this, but I wanted the freedom of the forest. The designated running area just felt so restricting, and I've never been one to take well to restrictions," he said with a small smile, "but in all truth, I do not know why that happened. If I did, I would tell you." 45

I highly doubted that. If he didn't want to tell me, then there was nothing in my ability to make him. I can't tell if he is lying. Wonder if that has a smell as well? 46

"I understand. Um, what about the werewolves that attacked us? Did you know them?" I asked hesitantly. 47

Jake looked confused. "Why do you ask that?"48

"Well, before I passed out from the chloroform one of the wolves," I paused and laughed to myself, "this is going to sound crazy, but it looked like one of them helped you off the ground. And the one behind me said 'it is done my lord '."49

"Ah, um, well to that I can only speculate. I'm guessing they took notice of my ring, and knew something about it that I didn't. They took it though, so I may never know just what that is." Jake paused here, his gaze roaming to the wall. "As for the one who said those words to you, I can only think it was a case of mistaken identity." He shrugged his shoulders, his finger beginning to slowly trek up my arm. 50

I didn't expect him to answer. Though if he hadn't then it would have just made everything clearer. Was it really mistaken identity? What if they know who he really is.. 51

His fingers found their way in front of my face. With his index finger, he gently tapped me on the tip of my nose. 52

"Is there anything else on your mind honey?" Jake asked, the depths of his green eyes swirling with mischief.53

"I would like to know you." I said. Jake raised one eyebrow.54

"You would like to know me? I always thought you had the hots for me, but were to shy to admit it." He said.55

"What? Oh, not like that! I meant I would like to know who you are!" I countered.56

"I'm sure you would," Jake smiled predatory, "and I shall show you."57

With that he brought my palm to his mouth and gently placed a kiss in the center. He pulled me to him and cupped my face in his hands. They were soft and smelled like him. I let the sweet smell of strawberries and sugar surround me. I couldn't help it. Those eyes were so magnetic, I felt myself falling into them with a willingness that surprised me.58

It has been so long since I let myself get close to anyone. Why does he affect me this way? Does that even matter? I feel so vulnerable around him. Yet, slowly, I'm wanting to see him more, talk with him more, be around him... more. Am I developing feelings for Jake? Should I let this continue?59

One of his hands began to wrap itself in my hair, urging me closer.60

Oh, what the hell. One kiss won't hurt anything. I may even like it. If it gets me closer to finding out who he is, then so be it.61

My lips were inches from his. I could feel the soft flutter of his breath against my chin. His eyes were glowing, a fierce emerald green. I could see the hunger in his eyes, and a deep sadness he was trying to hide. "Jake?" I mumbled.62

"Shh." He placed a finger against my lips, and let it drift away as I felt the soft contact of his lips upon my forehead, my nose, my left cheek, my right cheek. Anticipation made my blood hot, and my lips tingled for their turn. He kissed my chin, the corner of my lips, and with a brief pause he stared up at me. Hopeful. I kissed him.63

My hands burrowed themselves in his golden waves, as the first wave of his aura drifted over me. The air crackled with the surge of sensation; his hand in my hair, the feel of his chest against mine, his lips against mine. The pad of his thumb began to brush over the curve of my jaw, sending tingles down to my toes. His touch was mind numbing. My blood felt like liquid fire in my veins. I felt adrift a tide of emotions as that sweet smell tainted the air.64

"Elena!" a musical voice yelled out of no where. We broke off the kiss, both running our hands over our hair to smooth it out like kids caught in the act of something awful.65

My mind struggled to think. "Sam?"66

"What the hell are you two doing?" His voice rang out before his body appeared in the doorway. He wore a blue polo shirt, that draped loosely over a pair of beige pants and white sneakers. His blond hair hung down his back in a braid. I could feel his gaze on my face as he stared daggers at both Jake and I.67

"What are you doing here Sam?" Jake asked, barely keeping his annoyance out of his voice. "I thought you were going to pick up Tanya."68

"He did!" Tanya piped up from just behind him. She wore black pants and a white t-shirt, her long hair pulled up into a pony-tail.69

"Speak of the devil." muttered Jake. I lightly slapped his shoulder.70

"We came to check up on you Elena, considering what happened to both of you last night. We were worried about your well being." Sam said directing his gaze in Jake's direction. "But, I see someone already has that covered. Or at least he was about to have something covered!"71

"Don't get upset just because I did what you couldn't." Jake countered.72

Sam took a step into the room. In the blink of an eye Jake was in front of Sam, looking down at him from his five inch advantage. They locked gazes, each calculating the others abilities.73

"Sam, come on. Ignore the emotions floating around. I'm sure nothing happened. Plus, Elena is a big girl and your not her father." Tanya said pulling on Sam's arm gently.74

"You are right cousin." Sam said looking away first. "Some other time Jake."75

"You are on." Jake muttered through his teeth.76

I sighed. The flash of the computer screen coming to life catching my attention. One word stuck out among the head line. It felt oddly familiar. It was mentioned at some point in my dream. Nyx.77

My thoughts drifted back over the dream... the woman Cymbeline laid across her thrown, dagger buried in her abdomen. A whisper on her lips. She had killed herself to relinquish her powers. So that the next Nyx; there was that word, could arise. The next chosen one.78

I didn't find this article on the Internet. I had the dream just this morning! And Jake was the only one here with me. So then he must have searched for this. My conscious spoke up at that moment, spreading dread throughout my body. He knows!79

My gut clenched, and suddenly I was cold. It was hard to breath. My hand drifted up to touch my lips in remembrance of the kiss. Suddenly I felt sick.80

Jake lied to me!