Chapter 22: Moon Goddess

AsaLynn

I rub my eyes and feel an electric tingle around my waist. Levi’s arm is wrapped around me in a loving embrace. I snuggle up against him, enjoying the comforting feeling.

Levi pulls me closer.

“It’s about time you woke up, sleeping beauty,” he jokes.

“How long was I asleep?” I ask.

I fell asleep somewhere on the way back from captivity.

My body was on such an adrenaline high that, finally, as we went home, it all faded and my body felt drained, so I rode Levi’s back most of the way home.

“It’s been about a week,” Levi replies nonchalantly.

“A ~week~!” I exclaim.

“Asa, you have been through a lot, and your body…

“Well, I don’t know what exactly happened back there, but whatever happened, you had so much power nobody could believe it.

“Using and holding that much power all of a sudden would take a toll on anyone’s body.

“You may be physically fine, but mentally, you needed the rest, so we let you,” Levi explains.

I guess that explains it. I don’t exactly get what happened either, but I know I needed this. Waking up in his arms after everything makes me feel a little better.

Flashes of my prior weeks run across my mind in a blinding fury.

“Flora…” My heart sinks as I remember my best friend.

“She didn’t make it, but we gave her a proper burial. Her mother came and has been keeping an eye on you as well.

“She is actually downstairs and wants to meet with you once you feel up to it.”

I nod my head and nuzzle my head into the crook of Levi’s neck. I know I need to get up and face reality, but in this moment…

Just for a few more moments, I want to enjoy this.

A little while later I force myself to get up. I shower and change into some formerly loose clothes. They seem to hug my body now.

Levi waits for me on the bed, and we head downstairs to the kitchen to meet with Julia.

I walk through the entrance, and Julia looks up and instantly begins to cry. She runs over to me and squeezes me.

“I’m so sorry, Julia. I’m so, so, so very sorry I couldn’t protect her,” I say, choking back sobs.

“No, child. Do not apologize. It was written long ago. There is no escaping destiny written by the Goddess,” she mumbles.

Levi keeps his distance but watches over me protectively.

“I will leave you two alone to talk,” he says.

“No, Leviathan, I need you to stay. The reason I am still here is because the Moon Goddess wished to have an audience with the both of you.

“AsaLynn is the one to appear before her, but she wishes for you ~and~ Zade to be nearby. When Asa comes back from the meeting,” Julia states cryptically.

“I understand. You may use the library. I will get Zade, and we will stand post outside the doors.”

“Thank you. Let’s go, Asa. I know it’s short notice, but it is not polite to keep the Goddess waiting.”

I nod and make my way with Julia up to the pack house library.

Once we arrive, I see Levi and Zade standing on either side of the entrance. I look at Zade and give him a brief hug, giving my silent condolences.

Julia and I walk into the library, and she has me sit on the sofa.

“Okay, all I need you to do is sit and concentrate on your breathing. I will do the rest. I will not be able to go with you.

“I will open the portal, and you will step through alone.”

“Okay. I understand. Do you know what she wants?”

“No. The Goddess only told me up to the capture and sacrifice. I was never told what was to happen after.”

“Julia, do you know what my mother was?”

“I do. But it is not my place to say, AsaLynn. Now, please… We need to start.”

I sit on the couch and begin counting my breaths, relaxing my body as Julia stands in front of me, arms raised, chanting.

I watch her eyes turn white with fog as she channels her powers.

There is a ripple in time, and I see an oval of golden light appear between us. It’s warm and looks like liquid gold. I rise to my feet, take a deep breath, and step through.

“My child, it is so nice to see you.”

I look up after I gather my balance. I see nothing but white around me. Then I see ~her~.

The Moon Goddess stands before me in all of her glory. I couldn’t describe her beauty if I tried. She stands before me in a magnificent, white flowing gown.

“Goddess…”

“I have brought you here because I believe it is time you understand a few things.” Her voice sounds like a thousand angels.

I simply nod.

“In the beginning, there was the first born. Born of human and bird. She lived by the water and watched the world around her.

“Throughout the years, she saw the way men belittled women and the way they hurt them.

“She grew hateful of men and used her voice to lure men to their watery graves. Over time she grew lonely and prayed to the river god for children.

“He ignored her pleas for she was a woman, but I heard her pain and sorrow. I gifted her with three. Peisinoe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia.” She pauses.

“Aglaope. That sounds like my mother’s last name, Alga.”

“Yes. You see, over the centuries, Aglaope fell in love with a sailor she meant to lure to his death and had a child. Lilliana…”

“My mom?”

“Yes, Asa. Your mother was the child of one of these beings.”

“What were these beings?”

“Sirens.” The Goddess left a long pause to allow me to process.

“So I’m… I’m a…siren?”

“Yes, my child. Sirens were known as horrible half-bird, half-woman creatures who only wished to kill men, and because of this, I sent Julia to your mother as a child.

“To watch over her and keep her safe and hide her. I had many plans for her.”

“Me?”

“Again. Yes. During that time, the world was not ready to appreciate what they did not understand. So I kept Lilliana hidden and then you.

“You will bring to this world a new species that has been gone for centuries upon centuries. You will be the start of a new beginning.”

“But why did Flora have to die? Why did you tell her to kill herself?”

The Goddess rubs her temples and sighs. “That was actually a miscommunication. I told Flora you needed her blood to awaken your true powers.

“I meant for her to cut herself and give it to you, not kill herself.” She laughs.

I grow angry with the Goddess’s laughter.

“You find it funny that she lost her life because you wanted to play with words!?”

“Calm down, now. Do you really think I would let one of my favorite creatures’ bloodline die off? She is a true witch. My connection with the current world.”

“But she is dead… Like ~dead~ dead!”

“No. She has been here with me. Waiting for you.”

Flora appears through a white fog. I fall to my knees and begin to cry at the sight of my best friend. Flora runs over to me and takes me into her arms.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m right here, Asa. Don’t cry!” She holds me and tries to soothe me.

Flora’s head snaps up, and she glares at the Goddess.

“You mean to tell me I didn’t have to go off and kill myself? I could have pricked my damn finger and the same shit would have happened?!” she yells accusingly at the Goddess.

The Goddess begins to laugh. “So much sass. But, yes. It’s not my fault you went into overkill… Literally.”

“Bitch,” Flora mumbles and begins to laugh with the Goddess.

I can’t hold back my own laughter at Flora’s rude, blunt comments to the Goddess. She speaks as if the Goddess is her casual friend.

“Okay, okay. Now rise, please, so I may finish. Julia will not be able to hold the portal open much longer.”

We listen and stand up.

“Okay, now, Asa… You have the powers of the first born. Your voice can manipulate. It is more powerful toward men, though.”

“That explains a lot.”

“Yes, you, as you saw, also have the ability to grow wings. They can be weapons if needed but do not give you the ability to fly.

“You also have the ability to control water. One day you will need these powers, so please take the time to learn and teach your pups as well.”

“Okay. At least I have plenty of time to learn before I have to worry about teaching.”

The Goddess laughs. “Not as much as you think. You have about—three or four more months. Oh, and it’s a girl…” She winks.

“Wait, ~what~!!” Flora and I both say at the same time.

“You are part wolf. Wolves carry about five months. You are a little over a month or so along, so, yes, three or four more months, give or take.”

“I’m pregnant?!”

“I’m gonna be an auntie! Aunt Lala. Yup, your kid is gonna call me Lala! Imma spoil the fuck out of her!” Flora bends down and begins rubbing her hands all over my belly.

“Okay, it’s time for you both to go now. Thank you both.”

I’m still in shock when Flora begins to walk me to the portal.

“Oh and, Flora…” the Goddess says with a sly smile.

“Apologize to Zade for me and make sure he has your own litter checked out once you’re back.”

With that, we are thrown through the portal.