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XXXII

Author: K.Matthews
last update Last Updated: 2023-02-06 19:20:29
Rosalie

The Maleficus Acus was not what I had imagined it to be.

Something with name as prolific as the witch’s needle brought to mind a spikey building reaching for the sky, piercing the clouds with its sharp point. However, here we were, stood in front of a clumpy tower that seemed pointless in its creation and hardly large enough to hold the secrets of covens from across the world since the beginning of time.

Perhaps the winter mist that shrouded the ground and building in its embrace, and the piles of mounded snow took away any sort of majesty from the building.

I turned to Lucille with a questioning look. She seems just as surprised as I was.

“Are you sure we are in the right place?” I ask her. Turning back to the building, attempting to peer through the thick mists to see if there were any other tall hills near by that perhaps housed the place we were looking for.

“I am sure.” Lucille nodded. “This is where the old lady told us to go.” She too peered about, doubting her ow
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    Rosalie One of the hooded figures stepped forwards, throwing her hood back over her head. “What do you know of the demon of darkness?” She demands. I take a small step back in surprise at the creature that was hidden beneath the shadows of the cloak. I was almost certain that the figure was at least human. But she was so altered that she no longer looked human at all. Her eyes were blood red, the iris transformed into slits like two slashes into an abyss. Across her too pale skin, were swirling black lines swooping into the form of ancient ruins that seemed to move under the opaque surface, moving and changing form like they were living things all in their own right. They covered her hairless head and disappeared beneath the fabric of her garment. I could only imagine that they were littered around the rest of her body as well. I gulped my surprise back, attempting to keep my steely expression mutual as I gaze upon the woman. “I am Rosalie Black, daughter in law of Melinda Walke

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXIV

    Rosalie The stairs continued to descend into the darkness with no end in sight. The cold damp walls were lit at irregular intervals with tall metal torches. It felt like I was descending into hell rather than a historical archive. Lucille clasped my hand in the darkness. Her clammy palm a testament to the nerves that were coursing through her as we took each step. “Just breath.” I try to reassure her, as she stumbles, a small whine escaping her lips. We stopped briefly, allowing her to catch her breath before we continued following the Grand Priestess down, down, further into the worlds core. Eventually, the torches were punctuated with wooden doors. Some look as though they had seen better days. Some were hanging from their hinges, covered in spider webs and rotten wood having become homes for worms and insects crawling about the spongy fibres. Whilst others look brand new. Carved with ornate designs or gilded in gold. “What are all of these doors for?” I wondered out loud. “

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXV

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXVI

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXVII

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXVIII

    Rosalie “Helena Walker-Low” I read out loud, my heart soring. “Margaret had a child?” I turn to Estelle. “Yes Rosalie, Margaret had a child. And it looks as if Helena has also had a child born with magic.” She points to the unseen next branch, detailing the birth of another Margaret Walker-Low in bright crimson script. I clap my hands together in delight. I had never felt so much relief. And for the first time since finding out I was pregnant with my own little witch, relief flooded through me. “How do we find them?” I ask, my eyes trailing the paper for any indication of location. “Well, you see, that’s just it…” The dull tone of Estelle’s words were enough to drop me to earth with a bang. “What is it? I don’t understand.” “The Low’s are a very well-known wiccan family. Some may even call them royalty in the wiccan communities. So, it will come as no surprise when I tell you that their location is pretty well known as well.” “Isn’t that a good thing?” I question. My brow furr

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  • Return of the Luna Queen   XXXIX

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Latest chapter

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXVII

    Estelle The dank smell of decay assaulted my senses as I climb down the steep steps. The slick stones beneath my feet threatening to send me toppling with one small miss-step.“I hate this place.” I mutter. Righting my footing yet again as a stone crumbles out from beneath me, sending a wave of small stones rattling down into the gloom below.This place had always reminded me of death.Even as a little girl, when my father had brought me here for the first time, an excitable ten year old girl, surrounded by my brother’s. Eager to see the Schmidtz family vault. The source of our powers, and a historic linage that could be traced back to the awakening of magic. I realised that this place was far from the fairytale tower of my dreams.Our family had held to the old ways.And it wasn’t until the fateful day that my father presented me at the Malificus Acus that I realised just what that meant.Blood.Sacrifice.Pain.Everything that I cringed back from at such a tender age.I couldn’t und

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXVI

    RosalieIt didn’t take long before the whole pack was aware of news about our expanding family.Just in the short distance from his home to the pack house, it felt like we bumped into every member of the pack in turn.The afternoon seemed to go by quickly.And the pack members seemed to amass at the pack house, all gathering around to wish us well.If it weren’t for the niggling feeling in the pit of my heart, then everything would have been perfect.By the time the sun was beginning to set in the sky, I found myself getting ever the more weary. Seeking the refuge of the evening air, I found myself walking out onto the patio, watching the sun setting in the sky. A glass of non-alcoholic prosecco left untouched on the garden wall as mull over the pain I was feeling deep inside.“Rosie?” Landon came to stand behind me, his strong arms wrapping around me from behind, drawing me into his warmth.I went willingly. Relishing the way my body fitting into his. How his slightly heightened core

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXV

    RosalieThe gate squeaked with a vulgar cry, the sort of high pitch groan that wrang right through your brain setting your teeth on edge.Cringing against the sound, I wasn’t surprised to find the front door swinging open only moments later.“So much for surprising you.” I walk the short distance up the path to the front door of Landon’s home. He was situated just down from the main pack house in the Beta’s cottage.He had grown up here. It belonged to his family before they had been killed, and was gifted to him by Alpha Richard when he came of age. His formative teenage years he has grown up in the pack house under the care of Jo and Richard.“Sorry, I have been meaning to fix that.” He eyes the gate with an embarrassed frown, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his head as a pale red blush crept up his neck.“On the plus side,” I try to break the awkwardness that had settled between us, “at least you won’t ever get caught out doing something you shouldn’t be!”That was it.

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXIV

    Rosalie Summer was finally here. And feeling the warmth on my face was bliss.Finally reconciling to the idea of my own time, being my future, had been a difficult one. But none the less, I seemed to have found a new rhythm.I hadn’t been ready to fully commit myself to falling headlong into a new relationship. And Landon had been immensely patient with me.No longer wanting to feel a burden to Alpha Richard and Luna Jo, who had taken on responsibility of the pack whilst Drake and Steph took some time for themselves in the wake of all that had happened. I had made the decision to move out of the pack house.It was in Rose Cottage that I found my new normal.It had been difficult at first. Moving into what was my former home. A home which I had made with Alexander and our children.But after the first few months, I found myself now finding comfort in the memories I found here.Some modernisations into the new age, and it starting to feel like a home worthy of times I found myself.It

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXIII

    AlexanderI stood in the midst of the carnage around me.My face taking in the blood-soaked field surrounding me impassively. Bodies littered the ground densely. Heads decapitated; limbs ripped from the sockets.Those unfortunate ones that had now been delivered a deathly blow, lay limp on the ground, crying out in pain. Unable to stand up and leave the battle ground under their own steam, they would eventually succumb to a bittersweet end. Their open wounds would eventually become infected, and they would die miserable and in pain as their blood turned to poison in their veins. That is, if hunger did not get there first.Try as I might, I could not feel anything for the miserable souls lying on the ground.This war had raged for two years.Two years of battle and blood.When one battle was fought, the next would begin. All amassing here, at Castle Black.The blood-soaked ground would never be the same again.I watched as great pyres were built to dispose of the bodies. Pile, upon pil

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXII

    RosalieI followed the rocky path in the moonlight. Wrapping my arms about myself trying to stave off the chilly evening air.I hadn’t come dressed for such an outing. But I couldn’t put it off any longer.Thorns snagged at my jeans and jumper as I kept walking, determined to get where I needed to go. I barely felt the little scratches as I pushed on forwards.By the time the stone circle appeared before me, the crescent moon was almost at its peak.The bright white slither looking down on me and lighting up the clearing with ease. It seemed especially large tonight.“You don’t get to choose my path for me!” I shout at the sky. I had no idea if she would hear me or not. I guess I am no longer her daughter. I am merely a human.I waited, perhaps for an answer, but none came.Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, one foot in front of the other until I came to the central alter stone. Placing a hand on the hard, cold surface and waited.I am not sure what I was expecting. Even after t

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXXI

    RosalieI woke up to a blinding light coming through the window. Blinking in the early morning sun, using my own hand to shield my eyes from the blinding sun.As my body caught up with the rude awakening, I slowly became more aware of the ache radiating through my body. Every inch from my neck down to my pelvis felt abused.My mind slowly caught up with itself. And for a moment in a blind panic, I realised what happened the day before.Sitting up with a start, looking over to the empty side of the bed.He was gone. Landon was not there. I reached out a hand and felt the sheets. They were cold. He had been gone for some time.Wrapping my bedsheet about my naked body, taking in the wrecked bookcase, the contents now littered over the bedroom floor, I moved to the mirror. Taking in my apparent, “just fucked” appearance. My hair held an uncanny resemblance to a bird’s nest, my lips puffy and red. I should have been aware of how fragile my human body was without the protection and healing

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXX

    Rosalie“Don’t stop!” I gasp, as he suckled on my collar bone and over my breast. I could feel everything right down into the pit of my stomach. And I could feel myself growing slick under his touch.“Fuck Rosie, you scent is so fucking amazing.” Landon all but growled, his teeth clenching as my top was ripped from my torso and discarded in a pile of rags on top of the broken bookcase.His large hand pushed aside the cup of my bra and fondled the delicate skin of my nipples. His teeth grazing them in turn with want, teasing each peak to a point.“Ohhh!” I moan my hips thrusting towards him, looking for more. “Landon, please.” I moan, begging him for something. I wasn’t sure what, but I just knew I needed more.Landon seemed to know exactly what I wanted without the need to be told. In the next moment, I found myself pulled away from the wall and laid out onto the soft covering of the bed. The rest of my clothes easily discarded so I was laid out in nothing by my underwear. My boobs po

  • Return of the Luna Queen   LXXIX

    RosalieSilence.That was all I could hear.Silence.It was deafening.It had been a fortnight since Tenebris had been vanquished.Since Steph had been killed.The Eclipse pack was in full mourning for the loss of a daughter. And there seemed to be no end to it. Not that I hoped for an end to it.I simply couldn’t bring myself to believe it was real.Steph had died saving me. And the guilt that surrounded me was overwhelming.“Rosie?” There was a gentle knock on the door. I turned to find Landon stood in the doorway, a tray of food in his hands. “Rosie, you need to eat something. It has been days.”He was right. I hadn’t eaten more than a mouthful of anything since it happened. Nothing tasted right. He all just felt like ash in my mouth.Landon had been patient with me. Even though he was in mourning himself. He still made sure to look after me. I was grateful for him. With him by myside life was a little more bearable.“Alpha Richard has declared that the pack begin to move out of mo

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