The sun was setting beyond the horizon when we caught sight of the Abbey sitting cross-legged in the middle of the grand hall with a scroll laid open in front of him, but what was more intriguing than the sight of him, was the single ray of sun that shone on the scroll from the decorated skylight.
“The light of the seeker,” I mumbled and walked into the hall with Jasper hot on my heels.
“Come, sit with me.” The Abbey motioned to us without looking our way and we quickly took a seat on either side of him.
“The lotus flower symbolises purity and rebirth.” He pointed to the illuminated flower which was engraved on the wooden scroll and Jasper and I shared a look.
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Leaving the Temple of Lang Dui was heart-rending, but as Jasper and I embarked on the third leg of our quest, we were both a little different than we’d been yesterday.The walk back to the village was silent, with neither of us willing or knowing how to bring up the events of the past twenty-four hours, we still weren’t certain where our clue would lead us, but I was certain we were headed in the right direction.“Where to from here?” Jasper asked when we sat down at a pub and grill for lunch.“I’m not quite sure yet.” I bit my lip, I hated the uncertainty, but I had to follow my gut no matter what.&l
Jasper and I left the eatery in a hurry, leaving our food half-eaten and our waiter shocked by the sudden turn of events. Jasper was keeping a ridiculous distance between us and I was yet to understand what was going on.The sudden change in his demeanour was both shocking and hurtful, but I pushed my feelings away as I studied the look of pure terror and panic on his face.“Jas, stop.” I called when we were a good few metres beyond the treeline, but he continued marching on, “Jasper!” I roared and as if I pushed a button his footsteps halted.I was about to grab his arm when his body swung around, stopping my movements, “What are you doing, I said don’t touch me!”
A figure lurking around the corner caught my eye as we passed a shop window, the same figure I’d seen at the market and previously in the airport. “We’re being followed,” I remarked casually. “I know, it’s one of Dark’s men,” Jasper replied easily and I had to hide my surprise. “You know him?” I glanced at the window again, but I had lost sight of the man clad in a white Thobe. “I’ve seen him around.” Jasper shrugged and suddenly pulled me into a crowded eatery. “Go order something, I’ll check if there’s a way out back.” I couldn’t help glancing out the window as I ordered food at the counter, the street was busy but I could see the back of the man facing me as he watched me in the reflection on a window. “Here you go, Madam.” The server handed me a paper bag with the snack I ordered and I accepted it with a fake smile before moving to the back of the eatery where I saw Jasper sitting. “The only way out is through the kitchen, I figured if we make a run for it we can make
I lifted my forehead from the ground where I kneeled before the Goddess, seeking her eternal blessings for the battle that lay before me when my eye caught a picture laying on the ground.The postcard was somewhat obscured by the shadow cast by the statue, but as I reached forward I knew it wasn’t there by accident.“What is it?” Jasper asked when he saw me looking at the card.“It’s a postcard,” I answered distractedly.The picture was of yet another temple, the inscription at the bottom read “Wolves Nest Monastery, Indonesia.”“Turn it over, what does it say?” I flip
Trotting through the forest with blood-matted fur, I listened carefully for any sign of Jasper and the creep. After walking for a good few minutes I heard a commotion in the distance and Jasper’s earthy scent was accompanied by the awful smell of blood and burnt flesh.Jasper was definitely enjoying this.From a distance, I could see the man back up against a tree with Jasper’s red hot hand circling his throat. Jasper was dressed only in a pair of washed-out jeans which hung low on his hips. He looked hot.“Did you think you would do Dark’s bidding and get to live to see tomorrow?” Jasper tilted his head, watching the man burning and choking with no remorse.“He&
The Wolves Nest Monastery was by far the most extravagant of the temples we’ve visited in the past weeks. The royal, yet modern architecture surrounded by neatly trimmed gardens gave it an extravagant outlook which I couldn’t help but admire.The golden pillars made my hands itch to touch them, but I was too afraid of besmirching the perfectly shiny surface.“This place is extraordinary,” Jasper commented, looking around in just as much awe as I did.“The Abbey will see you now.” The woman who escorted us in, motioned to the open door and bowed as we entered.“Hello?” I called wearily when I didn’t see anyone.
“The second key is to be spoken aloud.” He smirked at us, the mocking in his eyes spoke volumes of his faith in our capabilities.“You seem certain we will not be able to unlock it?” I narrowed my eyes at him and his smirk widened.“Many have tried little girl.” His mocking tone irked me.“My name is Sophia Hastings, you’ll do good to remember that.” I eyed him through my lashes, feeling the familiar burn of anger coursing through my veins.I took another look at the Talisman with the Moon mother perched behind it and my eyes fell shut.‘We are one.’
“I never thought I’d say this, but- it’s good to be home.” Jasper looked down at me with a satisfied grin.“I never thought I’d hear you say that.” I chuckled with disbelief.“Well, now you're stuck with me.” He leaned down to whisper huskily in my ear making a shiver run down my spine.“Good.” I bit my lip to contain the pleasure I felt.“Sophia!” Ben’s voice rang through the busy airport the instant we stepped through the sliding doors into arrivals.“Ben?” gasped in astonishment when his long arms engulfed my tiny body.&n
Jasper dragged me through the forest in the direction of the clearing. “Jas, slow down!” I cried as I giggled uncontrollably, hopping over fallen branches and dodging low branches. “We have to get there before the sun sets!” He proclaimed and all I could do was shake my head. The sun was still quite high in the sky since it was only three in the afternoon. Arriving at the clearing I gasped when my eyes landed on the checkered picnic blanket set up at the base of the large rock. “We’re a bit too big to fit up there anymore.” He pointed to the rock with a grin. “You did all this for me?” My heart melted into a puddle and tears pooled in my eyes. “Of course I did- Baby, why are you crying?” Don’t you like it, we can go somewhere else. I’m sorry, please don’t cry. I’m sorry.” Jasper gathered me in his arms and stroked my hair as I tried to get my emotions under control. “No! No, I love it, I’m just a little emotional, that’s it.” I hiccupped, taking a step back s he could see the sm
I stood awkwardly beside the tiny sofa where Jasper’s large form took up most of the space. Halle and Nathan had welcomed us in when we arrived at their door, but I the tension in our presence was palpable. “How do you feel?” Nathan asked suddenly. “Fine, I guess,” Jasper answered curtly, accepting the cup of coffee Halle offered him. “Have your memories returned?” Nathan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “Some of them. Why are you holed up in this tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere when you have a whole pack house and several guest houses nearby everything? Surely it isn’t easy getting around the forest with that thing.” Jasper motioned to the wheelchair. Nathan’s eyes turned to me with confusion, I could see the question in his eyes. “He doesn’t know,” I stated, not looking at Jasper when his eyes turned to me. “Doesn’t know what?” Jasper narrowed his eyes as he glanced between us. “The pack wants nothing to do with me.” N
“What?” I asked shakily. “I remember your voice.” He stared at me with startled eyes, “I heard you, Sophia.” He scrambled off the bed and shuffled towards me. Jasper took my hands in his, “I heard you asking me to fight.” Jasper ran a hand through his hair while I just stood there, shell-shocked. “Ho- How? You were unconscious.” I croaked, my throat felt like it was closing up. “I don’t know. I don’t know how.” He shook his head gravely. “Do you remember anything else?” I asked hesitantly and Jasper’s eyebrows knitted in concentration. “I- I think I saw you, but it feels like a dream. You were walking towards me- dressed in a purple vest that hugged your figure, and you had a duffle bag over your shoulder. You smiled at me.” He had a faraway look in his eyes and his hands squeezed mine as he recalled the memory. “That was just before-” “-I was stabbed in the back.” He completed my sentence and looked at me with startled eyes. “Do you-?” I couldn't even get the words out,
Jasper sucked in a deep breath when we entered the pack house. It was still early which meant the grounds were practically empty when we made our way over there, but inside, pack members hustled and bustled around getting ready for the day.“I’m right here. Just tell me when you want to leave and we’re out of here.” I squeezed his hand in mine.Jasper had taken the news of his true identity quite well, I knew it was because he hardly understood what his position meant or what he meant to the pack. It’s been a week since he crashed my inauguration ceremony and we’ve made good progress, today was the first day he’d be around so many pack members at once and so far he was doing great as he greeted everyone we passed with a kind smile.
“Ardere…” I reached out shakily, glancing between his troubled eyes and reddened fingers. Ardere’s eyes met mine and for a moment he just stared as I took hesitant steps closer while I felt like my heart would beat out of my chest. “Stop! What are you doing, you could get hurt!” Nathan’s voice travelled through the crowd and Ardere’s eyes widened. He went to pull away, but before his hand was out of reach, I threaded my fingers through his and held on tight. “He wouldn’t hurt me,” I whispered, squeezing his hand in mine as pleasurable tingles spread up my arm from his touch. “My Jasper wouldn’t hurt me.” My vision swam with tears as the truth hit me square in the face. It was him, if there was any doubt before, there wasn’t now. “Jasper?” He questioned shakily. “Yes, it’s you, it’s really you.” I choked on a sob, the relief that spread through my body warmed my heart and for the first time in three months, I smiled a genuine smile, watery but genuine. “I- uh…” He trailed off an
The pack buzzed with excitement as the three of us climbed the stairs, everyone was whispering about the bulky man who walked behind me with confidence radiating from his being.Marcel and Jason took their places behind me as I stood at the podium, “Good evening High Tiders.” I grinned widely. “First, I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to be here tonight. We’ve faced some tough times as a pack, but I’d like to think this is the beginning of a new era.” I looked around at the hopeful faces that stared back at me, pausing a little when I caught sight of Nathan and Halle seated right at the back.“With that, I’d like you all to meet Marcel Miller.” I motioned to him when he stepped up beside me and nodded at the crowd before him, “Marcel was a warri
“Okay, I’ve made sure no one will come back here to clean or look for me today. You can watch TV and play around with my tablet while I’m gone, use the time to try and figure out some of the things you don’t remember, but don’t make a lot of noise please, I don’t want anyone poking around here.” I motioned around the house.“I’ll be back late today, there’s food in the fridge, you can heat it up in the microwave.” I pointed to the appliance behind me and turned back to look him dead in the eye, “You have to stay here, okay? Under no circumstances can anyone find out you’re here, so please just stay hidden and if you hear anything, hide. You can use the tablet to call me on this number if you need something, my number is stored on there.” I tapped the screen where I’d typed out instructions on how to make
“You can wear these for now.” My jaw clenched as I handed him some of Jasper’s clothes.“Thank you.” He took them from me, his fingers brushing mine in the process and without thinking I snatched away my hand like he burned me and his eyes flashed with hurt.“I’m sorry.” I looked down, holding my hand to my chest.“It’s okay.” He flashed me a tight smile and for a moment an awkward silence fell between us.“I’ve uh- been thinking, we need to find you a name, at least till we figure out who you are.” I cringed a little at my own word, hoping he didn’t see how awkward I felt.
My heart thudded wildly in my chest as Selene’s utterance registered in my mind.“Wh- who are you?” I swallowed thickly, reaching behind me to steady myself on the boulder.“I’m sorry for following you, I didn’t mean to scare you.” His soothing baritone voice sent shivers down my spine and tears gathered in my eyes without warning.“No, this can’t be real, I must be dreaming.” I shook my head vigorously and stumbled back into the rock before I spun around and took off in the direction of the High Tide pack.‘This can’t be happening. It’s just a dream.’ I repeated