Chapter 11

Aurora’s POV:

My brows furrowed at what Elder Miriam said. What did she mean by that?

“Um, what am I supposed to notice?” I ended up asking after a beat, where she didn't explain.

She smiled, her eyes gleaming with a sharpness that was meant for someone surely younger than her current age.

“This,” She spoke, revealing something hidden among swathes of the cloth bundle in her hand. My heart lurched when I caught sight of the purple sachet, looking so similar to the one that I had confiscated from Asher’s room that one time. And now, there was another one. The feeling of unease intensified.

“Where did you find this?” I couldn't help but whisper. Even Lyra beside me could feel the strange energy emanating from it, her breaths sharp and shallow as she took a step back.

“Oh, I will tell you but first, there's something you need to learn, and then, we shall try something new,” Elder Miriam seemed unbothered. “I have nullified most of its effects, do not worry. The cloth in my hand isn't a normal one. She reached her hand out, and I could see a shiny thread embroidering the cloth upon which the purple dark object sat.

My breath caught and I leaned in closer, my eyes catching the embroidery, not into stars, flowers or anything that spoke of fashion, but symbols, some of them foreign, others familiar but hard for me to understand their significance.

“Runes.” Elder Miriam’s voice was heavy. “Soon, I will teach the art of making them to you, just like this sachet, runes can be affixed on anything to channel power, be it good and protective… or terrible, chaotic power to consume.”

I shivered, clearing my throat.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Step forward, and I shall instruct you,” She smiled gently.

I relaxed, doing as she instructed, not because I wasn't afraid but because I trusted her.

Soon, the purple sachet sat on the runic cloth atop a high stool, with me facing it, seated on a chair across from it.

I closed my eyes, my brows knotted together as I tried to meditate.

This time it was far easier. Like Elder Miriam had said, meditation was a muscle, once you started to exercise it daily, you would get better at it, doing it without thinking.

But the darkness of the aura emanating from the purple sachet still stung, it was like a force, repelling me with every second.

I remembered the dark aura last night that tried to envelope my room, to swallow me whole. And the way I had fought against it without hesitation.

I channeled my power, finally able to catch wisps of the silvery thread.

“Good. Direct it outward. You know where to aim it at. Aim it to destroy, Luna,” Elder Miriam’s voice rang like a bell in my head and I hummed, extending my right hand. My body vibrated with warmth, and my mind buzzed, thoughts and voices and fears and doubts filtering in and out. I paid no attention to them. I let the warmth burst free from my hand, my fingers growing hotter and hotter until I felt a spark leave shudders from my hand down to my chest and even to my toes. My entire body shook, and I let out a loud gasp.

I thanked the Moon Goddess then that I wasn't standing or even sitting crosslegged. My body went numb for a few seconds and I could not move, resting against the chair like a lifeless doll, only my eyes watching as the purple sachet was devoured bit by bit in flames. I heard something akin to a scream, but it didn't sound human, nor like a wolf’s howl. It was contaminated energy, and had become a monstrous force to wreak havoc.

By the time the purple sachet disintegrated fully, the scent of burning paper in the air, my body had begun to feel again.

“That was…”Lyra gasped.

“It was something,” I said, my breaths heavy and chest heaving.

I glanced at Elder Miriam who gazed at me with approval shining in her eyes. I had done the right thing. My smile was wan but it was there.

“You’re far more powerful than I expected, Luna Aurora,” She intoned, her hands clasped in front of her. “I half-expected you to fail.”

I swallowed down the hurt that those words brought. The truth was, she was right, I had not expected that of me either.

“I didn't," I whispered, my voice low yet carried across the entire room.

“No, you didn't," she smiled. “And that’s why I believe your fate is tied to the fate of this pack, and possibly this entire region. This region has rarely seen a True Luna in decades.” She moved to sit beside me, reaching her hand out to clasp mine. Her hands were warm, her eyes too, like the maternal love I had not experienced ever since my mother died.

I couldn't refute her words, I was speechless, my body tense.

The fate of the entire region? Was it truly that serious? All I wanted to do was to ensure my safety and expose Seraphina for all that he was doing, not contend with a larger destiny.

But… I thought of the way I had been reborn, an act that even I had never thought possible before.

Could it be that those words had a measure of truth? Was my fate truly tied to the region’s fate?

I exhaled, pushing those thoughts out of my mind.

“You said you found it somewhere, but didn't say where exactly,” I gestured to the empty high stool which held nothing but the embroidered runic cloth atop it. The purple sachet was gone and that oppressive energy had dissipated entirely from this house.

“Ah, that,” she nodded. “It was found in the forest, close to the western borders. I had gone apple picking at the orchard close by and sensed it.”

That wasn't right.

“The Western border?” I repeated, confused. “But why?”

“Surely you understand, Luna? It was placed there on purpose. The western border is one of the strongest parts of the border where energy passes. The pack is a veritable bank of this energy. Enough for someone to feed off of it.”

…