Red Moon ~ Chapter 25 ~ Red Moon; Tears of Blood

Chapter 25: Red Moon; Tears of Blood

For some time –it could be minutes, it could be even hours; I couldn’t know– I was sliding down. It was pitch black and the tunnel was really smooth and cold like polished marble. I didn’t have control over what was happening and for a while I wondered if gravity even applied here.

When I reached the end, I landed on a soft patch of grass and got on my feet quickly. I jumped aside just in time so that Jacob and Nessie wouldn’t fall on top of me. as I looked up I noticed Bella, Nessie’s mother. Relief washed over me, I could never believe that I’d feel so good just by seeing a familiar face! Next to her was standing Athenodora, looking more beautiful and dangerous than ever with her blond, long hair being blown around from the wind. Jacob leaped towards the battlefield and Nessie buried her face in her mom’s arms.

I examined the place. I shuddered at the view. Two big fires burned on the sides, the thick, purple-gray smoke towering up towards the sky and blending with the dark clouds. I couldn’t make out sides fighting. Most faces were unknown. But I did recognize some. The Cullens. Zafrina. Senna. A man who looked like Nahuel. Probably was Nahuel too. My parents… My parents!

I felt the urge to run towards them. But I couldn’t go like this. I was a fox. I don’t think that they were really used to this change. And I wanted to actually hug them. I slipped silently away and phased back. Athenodora smiled at me and then disappeared. I didn’t know where she was heading but I saw a pale flash at the neck of the woods. Phillip, Cole and Dawn appeared at the opening but I was already running towards my parents. I had to get to them.

The sky was dark and I could hear thunders above me but when I observed it more closely it had began to clear. Here and there the clouds were thinner and I could see the stars sparkling playfully. It felt like eons since I last saw a clear sky. I knew I probably looked totally out of shape, my face felt dirty and dark with smudges, my hair hadn’t been brushed for days and my shoulder felt still sore from putting it back in place. It was way better than before though.

I wondered what would happen if any humans approached us. What if they saw all this? We were completely exposed. This mess should be cleaned up soon.

Vampires were all over the place. But nobody attacked me. Were all these on our side? No wonder that there was a loud buzz on the other side of the line when I talked to my parents. There were more than twenty here. And wolves… I hadn’t seen so many wolves again. Not even on the TV. A sandy one was running from wolf to wolf like he was… checking on them. Making sure they were alright? I couldn’t know. Two others were standing really close to each other, a dark gray and a silverish white. A black one, bigger than the others, a bit bigger than Jacob was standing and a brown-red flash –Jacob– approached him. I saw Carlisle running towards another wolf that had fallen on the ground and was breathing hard. I felt sorry for him. I didn’t even know if he could make it.

I stopped thinking about it, there was nothing I could do. I focused on my parents. I was close. Very close. I heard someone shouting my name behind me. The voice was Cole’s. I didn’t know what he wanted but I couldn’t turn around now.

Before I could realize what was happening I was on the ground. A satisfied smirk was the only thing I could focus on. She was looking down at me and her brown hair wasn’t anymore in a tight bun like usually. Jane.

I never liked her. I don’t think that I would even if we had met under normal circumstances. Maybe not even if I was human. I didn’t know.

‘If they do it, you won’t have time to give them permission. You won’t realize a thing,’ Cole’s voice was there again. Echoing like the last time.

That was what he wanted to tell me. That’s why he shouted my name.

I felt stupid for not turning around. But there was no time to think now. Just act. Act like a vampire. I couldn’t remember where I heard that from but I was almost sure that the twins, she and Alec, were not trained to fight. They were based on their talents and that was it. If it was true –which I really hoped that was– I was lucky. And I could finally take revenge on Jane.

I snarled at her and she widened her eyes, as if she was offended. Such a snobbish, erratic vampire. Who does she think she is?

Nobody was around. No Aro, no Caius, no Marcus. Wrong. Marcus was there but he was standing motionless. Maybe waiting for someone to kill him? I didn’t really know. Maybe. I remembered Didyme’s story. Probably that was it. He missed Didyme. He wanted to find her again. Soon enough a wolf was there and I turned my eyes the other way.

Surprisingly Jane hadn’t made her move yet. She was just grinning and I looked at her, trying to find out what she was doing. What was she doing? I felt little pinches, but they were nothing, almost non-existent, like this numbing sensation that I had on my legs when I was sitting for too long. She was trying to hurt me. But why wasn’t she making it? The last time she was using her power and it stopped. That was because Cole distracted her though. I didn’t get it. Now there was no one to distract her.

‘My mom has a power too. She is a shield. She told me that she was protecting us from the twin’s power when they came to kill us,’ I remembered Nessie saying, when we were in Sherrill. When we were home. Seemed like such a long time ago…

So was it Bella? She was protecting me?

A smile that I didn’t mean to show escaped my lips and Jane’s eyes glistened in annoyance. So, so, so spoiled.

She growled at me and her hand reached to punch me. I dodged her just in time and found myself jumping a couple of meters away from her. This was just me and her this time.

Okay, think, Eshe, think! What did Cole tell you? I replayed the whole scene, me and Cole in the back of the house, Cole showing me how to kill a vampire… Fire! You tear them apart and burn them! It was so obvious, I did it in the tunnels already. But I didn’t do it on my own. Dawn was close with a torch. As soon as I had made my move she set the pieces in fire. Now I had to do it all by myself.

I thought about asking for help but nobody was really paying attention. After all this was a matter of pride. I couldn’t look like a coward because a selfish vampire from the Middle Ages decided to bully me!

I jumped on her and pinned her on the ground. She rolled over and ended up on top of me. Darn! Ugh! Think something fast! If I gave her enough time she could choke me to death. I don’t think she would have any morals holding her back from doing it. Her red eyes showed that she had done it over and over again with countless humans. I shuddered and brought my legs to my chest and kicked her away.

She didn’t flinch but it made her stumble. Then she straightened her back and stood there proudly just like before. I stood up too. She came for me once more and tried to make me trip and I found the chance to kick her again. Her red glare was angry, furious and burning. I didn’t see how she hit me but my head hit hard on a rock. I felt dizzy and black spots darkened my vision. Instinctively my hand reached for the back of my head that was already hurting. There was some blood.

Not again… I cried inside my head.

I had to get up soon or she’d have her chance. I felt a rush of dizziness as I got on my feet but tried to focus on her. She was observing me, laughing. Without thinking I ripped her arm off. A shriek of pain echoed in the air and she pushed me back with her good arm and I ended up on the ground… again. I didn’t know how I could get up again. I felt numb. My eyes were closing.

No! I need to get up!

I was trying to fight it off and open my eyes but my eyelids felt so heavy… A pair of warm hands helped me sit up but before I could see who it was Cole was in front of me fighting with Jane. He was way better than I was and I could only sit and stare for a second. He was so fast and strong!

Jane looked even more annoyed that I was still conscious and standing –well, sort of. But she was more angry because Cole was getting in the way. And she couldn’t beat him.

Dark spots still danced around my vision but I was struggling to make them go away. When I could focus well enough I realized that Jane was whole again but Cole was giving her a really hard time. She was trying to avoid his attacks and didn’t have time to make her own moves; she looked exhausted. I didn’t know that vampires could get tired, but if they could, Jane was the perfect example of that. Her eyes looked to have darkened a shade or two, as if she had spent a lot of energy on that.

I got up slowly but I felt good. I could keep fighting.

“Eshe, stay back!” Cole shouted at me without glancing back. He was busy punching Jane at the moment.

“I’m fine!” I objected.

“Please, Eshe, just listen to me!” He sounded tired too. And very, very anxious.

I jumped forward, ignoring him and Jane gave me another glare. What she wanted to say was obvious. ‘You’re still standing?’ Her eyes were mocking at me and anger sparked inside me too. I hadn’t forgotten how horrible she was to me.

I punched her hard and fell on top of her on the ground. Cole was standing still, looking shocked, because I didn’t really listen to him. I was struggling with Jane and when he tried to get involved I hissed, “Stay back!” at him. It wasn’t nice, I know, but this was my fight. Jane was strong but I could fight her. I bit her arm and tore it apart from her torso again. I didn’t know where that hunch had come from but I was right about her fighting skills. She just knew the basics.

She growled at me and I felt someone pulling me away from her, just for seconds before I punched him in the face. Then I realized that it was Alec. I was startled by his sudden appearance; I had almost forgotten him. I didn’t have to bother with him because Cole began fighting with him. When I glanced at where they were standing again they had disappeared. Or it was me who had moved away. The bonfire that used to be really far away from me was just inches away. It was so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from it.

Jane’s eyes for the first time didn’t show anything mean. No jealousy, no anger, no hatred. She was scared. The feel of being so close to the flames was scary for her. It brought back memories. I could remember Cole telling me the twins’ story one day.

* * * * *

We were cuddled together in his room and I admitted to him how much the twins –especially Jane– scared me. How I felt that they hated me in some way.

He stroked my hair and smiled. “They’re with everyone like this. There are many reasons about this. It’s kind of sad actually. I understand them,” he told me softly.

“I want to know,” I insisted.

“Alright then… Let’s see… They lived in the Middle Ages. Not a happy season for gifted people. It’s the time of the witch trials.”

“We had learned about that in history when I was in France last year.” I realized excited.

He smiled again. “I know.”

Of course you do. You always do.

“They lived in a small village, the people were affected from the climate that existed in general in Europe. They were simple and scared. They didn’t know how else to react. Alec and Jane were twelve by the time the villagers realized what they could do. These two could have hidden best. But they used their powers the wrong way. Especially Jane. She had the tendency to be cruel all along.”

“Yeah, I can imagine her like that,” I agreed in a bitter tone. Vampires usually didn’t change. They were the same people. Someone nice could stay nice and someone mean would stay mean. I had learned that by now: People don’t change. The way we look at them changes.

“Their mother protected them at first. She made up excuses and kept them protected. She hoped that they still could change. But when she died they were left alone. And didn’t even think of the consequences. They were almost dead when the Volturi arrived. Aro was furious. He had spotted them since they first used their powers and was excited at the possibilities. He’d wait just long enough for them to be mature enough to be changed. He had always spies near the village. When the word that they’d accuse them of witchery and would burn them he left Volterra and literally destroyed the village to get to them. And the only way to keep them in the guard was to change them on the spot.”

“That’s sad…” I looked up at him and hugged him tighter. “Must have been scary too.”

“It was. But these things don’t happen anymore,” he assured me and kissed the tip of my nose and I pulled him closer and kissed his lips.

“And why are they so mean? Because of what the humans did to them?”

“There are many reasons. Part of this was because of these events. They also envy that you get to get older. They are stuck in twelve for the rest of eternity.”

“That’s awful.” I looked at his eyes to see if he agreed. He totally did. “Wait… They were too young. Weren’t they considered immortal children?” I winced at the sound of the words. I hadn’t said it aloud since my mom had explained to me about them many years ago. Because of fear, and of the knowledge that immoral children were still a taboo in the vampire world I didn’t dare to say it very loud, it was barely a whisper.

“Not really. They were just on the limit. And they were after the Volturi’s protection. Who would do the trial? And as long as their coincidence was developed enough to have control over their killings they had the right to live just like any other vampire.”

“So this is why?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

* * * * *

I knew that the sight of fire would frighten her. It was only normal. When you’ve been at stake and been almost burned to death it makes sense to be scared of it. Especially when it could destroy you, even as an immortal.

“Scared, Jane?” I was taking advantage of the situation, I was being mean, but I had every right after her actions.

Her wide eyes looked at the flames and then just back at me and she struggled to get up. Before she could I ripped her head off, just like Cole had showed me. Disgusted by what I did I threw it quickly in the flames, along with the rest of her body.

I couldn’t think about what I did. Even if she was mean it felt wrong. Sick. Just like what the Volturi used to do. Jane had been the reason for who knows how many vampires to die. But I still didn’t find this as a good enough excuse for killing her. I had to stop thinking.

I scanned the area searching for my parents again. As soon as my eyes met my mother was by my side and I hugged her as tight as I had ever hugged anyone. Her familiar scent was all the comfort I needed. My dad was there soon enough and hugged us both. Finally. Finally it was all over. I didn’t know if it could get any better.

Someone behind us put off the fire and the sky cleared. A bright, deep red moon shone above our heads. I had never seen one before. And I would remember it forever. I would remember this day forever.

After what felt like ages they let go of me and my mom helped me sit and Carlisle was by my side cleaning the wound in my head. The adrenaline was still running in my body and I didn’t really feel any pain.

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

“Please, Eshe, it will just take seconds.” He kept cleaning the wound with quick and methodical moves like he had done it thousands of times ago.

I pleaded that he’d finish soon so that I could go get Cole. I had to make sure he was alright. And he would finally meet my parents! I was so excited! But Carlisle pushed gently me back so that I’d stay put until he finished.

Jacob approached us, in human form and dressed in clean clothes that some other vampire must have given to him.

“We lost two wolves,” he said in a sad voice. Alex and George.

I couldn’t recognize the names. Jake had never mentioned them.

“And one of the half breeds who had come to help. Nahuel’s sister? Awiti. He’s a mess, Dawn is sitting with him. And Charlotte. We almost lost Collin. Can you go help him, Carlisle? Someone else could take care of Eshe. Edward or Rosalie maybe?” He didn’t say it in a bad way, he just was taking care of his pack and being a good Alpha. And this way I could slip away and get Cole here. “Eshe? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I said as Carlisle run a light in front of my eyes checking my vision.

“Have you seen Cole?” he asked and for a second I felt as if my stomach was filled with knots. His voice was dark. Worry filled me.

I wanted to sound confident and calm but my voice came out shaky and weak, “Y-y-you haven’t?”

“I hoped that he was with you.” His eyes looked at me seriously and I felt the tears coming.

No! There’s no reason to cry! I commanded myself. I couldn’t panic now. I had to look around and he’d be somewhere around. There was nothing else that could have happened. I wasn’t ready to accept that anything else could have happened.

“W-w-what do you m-m-mean? Isn’t he any-whe-e-re else?”

My mom hugged my shoulders and I felt on the verge of tears. She didn’t even know! Carlisle let go of my head and asked me to keep a bandage over the wound until someone would come and I jumped on my feel despite my parents’ protests. I was looking everywhere, literally, I almost had checked under the stones to see he wasn’t there. The reality hit me hard. Really hard.

“This can’t be,” was the only thing that I could say. I wasn’t ready to accept something like that yet. I was sobbing. But I wouldn’t cry yet. He might be around!

Nessie came to where I was sitting. She looked really sorry. It made me hurt even more. Don’t be sorry! It’s not over yet! I wanted to say but I started crying. Really crying. I pushed my knees to my chest and forgot what had happened, forgot that my parents were here, forgot that I had to keep the bandage on my head.

All I could do was look up at the sky, which was cloud and smoke free by now, and stare at the red moon.

You did this! I accused it selfishly. I cried harder because I knew. I knew that nothing would ever be the same.

Before you kill me I have some explaining to do…

Dawn returned to the Amazon and her beloved stepfather, Aku.

Phillip left, deciding to travel around the world and maybe even find a new coven, although Petra’s coven would always be in his heart.

Peter, Jasper’s friend, indeed lost his mate but with the passing of the years his wound healed and he found someone else.

Athenodora run away and soon found Caius.

Sulpicia was killed accidentally by someone from the pack before she managed to explain anything.

Gianna gave up her plan to become a vampire and got a real life.

Everyone else returned home after taking care of the cleanup that the place needed so that the humans didn’t realize what happened that night.

The Cullens and the Baras returned to Sherrill.

To find out what happened to Eshe read the sequel, Aurora Borealis.

Lots of love,

Nessie