Page 17

Yelena

Stepping back onto Nightwing Pack land was difficult. But walking into Callie’s home and knowing she’s gone? That felt like a knife to the heart. I glance around the small cottage, and a wave of memories cascade over me.

The scarred kitchen table where she and I spent many a happy morning, preparing food together and laughing.

The threadbare but cozy couch in the living room where she taught me how to mix spices together and create poultices.

Even the heavy bookshelves, stuffed with books, journals, and little trinkets all hold memories for me.

This small cottage was once my haven, and without Callie, it feels empty.

I wipe a tear from my eye and move toward the bedroom. As per our custom, Callie’s body will have been prepared for the ritual by the Elders and honored pack members. I take a deep breath before entering the room.

On a basic level, I know what to expect.

Her body will have been cleaned and laid out in her best dress.

Special herbs and amulets will have been placed on her body, each representing an offering or a blessing.

A single candle will have been left burning, along with incense, to cleanse the space and pave the way for her soul to move to the next plane.

I know this in my head, but my heart aches at the thought of seeing Callie in this state. These rites have been passed down through our pack for centuries. It’s how we honor our dead and return them to the Moon Goddess’s protection.

But my heart still aches with loss.

Steeling myself, I push open the door and inhale the familiar scent of herbs and incense. The curtains are drawn, allowing the afternoon sun to filter through the room.

There she is. Laid out on the bed in her favorite green dress, with sage at her feet and a moonstone pendant resting on her chest. She looks peaceful. Serene, even. Her eyes are closed, and from the doorway, she looks as if she has simply gone to sleep and will wake up at any moment now.

I approach the bed slowly, almost reverently, my footfalls muffled by the thick rug covering the wooden floor.

Sobs rip through my body as I kneel down beside her. I reach out a trembling hand to touch her, but then I hesitate.

Finally, I let my fingers gently brush the back of her hand. It’s cool and so very still. My breath comes in shudders as I press my forehead to our intertwined hands.

"Oh, Callie," I whisper, my voice choked with tears. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to say goodbye.”

I look around, noting the small details of grief. The intricately carved wolf figurine tucked next to her palm, a tribute to our pack and her unwavering loyalty. The sprigs of lavender sprinkled around her. Callie always said lavender kept away evil spirits.

“You were so loved,” I whisper, touching the small bunches of herbs that lie on the floor next to me. “I hope you knew that.”

On the table beside the bed sat a simple clay bowl, brimming with water and a beeswax candle. I carefully reach over to light the candle, brushing against the bowl. A single moonflower floats on the surface, a symbol of the Moon Goddess’ blessings.

It gives me a small sort of peace. The knowledge that this ritual is for her. A final gift as thanks for the knowledge, care, and love she has given me throughout the years.

I light my candle and place it in the holder before repeating the words that Callie herself taught me years ago.

Daughter of the Moon, your Spirit is now free.

Guided by her Light; run with the stars

Through the shadow of the Forest;

With the whispers of the Wind;

At each rising Moon, your wisdom I’ll seek.

My voice trembles with emotion at first, but gains strength as I offer these final rites. I dip my fingers into the water and let the drops fall upon Callie’s body. Each droplet is a prayer. A memory.

A goodbye.

My heart is full of emotions, but I finish the chant and sit, my gaze fixated on the flickering light of the candle.

I let the silence take over and simply sit with her. One last time.

After what feels like an eternity, as the candle burns low, casting flickering shadows across the wall, I stand and make my way toward the door. My foot catches on a wooden box sticking partially out from under the bed. I fall forward, catching myself on my knees.

The lid to the box is partially open and I recognize it. It’s Callie’s memento box. When I was a child, she used to show this to me whenever I was sad, telling me great, fantastical stories about the items.

I trace my finger along the edge, feeling grief ride me hard.

Her old tarot deck. A pressed fern leaf. Old photographs and trinkets from days past, they are all in this box.

Carefully, I put the lid back on and go to slide it back under the bed, when I see a pale green envelope on the ground. I pull it out and freeze.

It’s addressed to me. In Callie’s familiar, elegant handwriting.

Slowly, I look around the room. My hands tremble as I open it.

My dearest Yelena,

Our time together was one of the greatest joys of my life. If you are reading this, it is because I have returned to the embrace of our Mother Moon Goddess. Please, do not grieve me too hard, child. I have lived a wonderful life.

Of my meager belongings, I have left you the cornflower blue vase on the kitchen counter.

When you were small, you used to bring me the most beautiful wildflowers to place in that vase.

It is my hope that your own child will do the same for you.

The moonstone ring that I wore during ceremonies is also yours.

May it bring you peace and joy in the difficult days to come. You, my dearest girl, have been honored by the Moon Goddess. She has blessed your house with a Gift.

Your daughter has been chosen as the next Seer.

You must protect her, guide her in our ways.

My journals will help you teach her to master her Gift.

But know that among the humans, she is in danger.

Her abilities are only just beginning. Once they manifest, even casual touches between her friends could wreak havoc.

She will be a strong Seer. She must learn how to control her powers at the earliest opportunity.

Life in the city will be hard, if not impossible, for her.

If she were to accidentally reveal her abilities, the consequences could be deadly.

Take heed, my dearest. You must keep her safe, above all.

With love,

Callie.

I read the letter twice, trying to make sense of the words I see on the paper. Cleo is the next Seer?

She can’t be. That can’t be right.

But Callie had no reason to lie and she wouldn’t, anyway. Not to me. Not about something like this.

My heart starts to pound, and icy fear churns in my gut. Her warnings are clear.

She’s in danger. Her abilities are only beginning. The consequences could be deadly.

A shiver runs through me, and I set the letter aside.

The room suddenly feels colder. The stories that Callie used to tell me come flooding back.

Powerful Seers, gifted with visions and foresight by the Moon Goddess herself, are highly respected, and highly coveted.

To have a Seer is a great honor…and an advantage.

Tears prick my eyes and I start to panic.

How can it be that Cleo, my sweet, innocent child, has this Gift?

It seems much too heavy of a burden to place on a child.

All I ever wanted for her was a simple, happy life.

One where she could be safe and free. This burden is not what I would have chosen for her.

I know all too well the burden a blessing like this can have on a child.

“Callie, what will I do?” I whisper, my breath shaky.

If she can’t live among the humans, I’ll have to leave my job to keep her safe. But where will I go? What will I do?

You’ll have to come back home. Raise her in the pack. For her own protection.

The thought makes me shiver again. Raising her here means I’ll have to tell Austin. I can’t do that, not when he’s about to ascend to Alpha and take Sylvie as his Luna. The timing is all wrong.

Why have you chosen her, Moon Goddess? Why would you put this burden on her?

All I have is questions, and it’s making my chest feel too tight. My wolf is pacing too, her anxiety feeding my own.

What if a rival pack learns about her? The Highland Pack—would they try to steal her? Would they try to use her Gift?

Suddenly, Callie’s house feels claustrophobic, and I have to get out. I stumble to my feet, crashing through the room toward the back door.

It’s up to me to protect Cleo, it always has been and always will be. But right now, I need to run.

Maybe in my wolf form, this will make sense.

With my eyes on the forest, I jog out of the house, shifting as soon as I’m near the tree line.