AMANDA FELT like she had just been hit by a ton of bricks. Her husband Romeo and his twin brother Damon had been on the outs because of Elena, the witch who had tried to use dark magic to lure Romeo to her. Elena had torn Romeo’s family apart and was supposed to be dead by Romeo’s hand. Yet here she was, standing in front of them.
“I thought I killed you,” Romeo said sternly, narrowing his eyes at Elena.
Amanda couldn’t help but notice that the woman was incredibly beautiful; thin like a super model with long, flowing hair the color of redwood. But there was also something about her that reminded Amanda of a cat. Her movements and eyes looked feline.
“You almost did, but I’m pretty resilient. Sorry about my companion’s behavior.” Her words came out airy and wispy like her voice was being carried on the wind a long way. “Harming you, kidnapping you, was never my intention.”
Elena approached Remus’ body, and Audri glared up at her, encircling him with her arms for protection. Elena ran her fingers over his cold cheek and stood back up straight. “What a shame. I’m afraid either side he was on would have been a losing one for him. Dean never has been very forgiving. Well, I can see I’ve kept you a while, and I know you must be dying to get back to your little cubs.”
Amanda gripped Romeo’s arm so hard she felt she might break his bones. “What do you know of them?” she asked through gritted teeth. She was ready with her power, waiting for the moment to strike. She didn’t like the way Elena had miraculously come back to life, how she had sucked the power from a dead man, or how she was looking at all of them like prey now.
“No need to fear me. I can simply feel that you have given birth recently. And since I don’t see the little ones, I would assume that they are hidden somewhere safe. That was very smart of you. Dean surely would have used them against you.”
Amanda was sure she heard a threat hidden under that statement, but she said nothing. She was ready to go home.
“I’ll be seeing you.” Elena turned and walked away slowly, leaving all of them in shock.
“Amanda?” Penelope stepped forward to embrace her.
Amanda suddenly felt something in herself let go, and she began to cry. They were reunited, finally, all of the Radiants and their daughters.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” she whispered through tears as the rest of the Radiants stepped forward.
“Amanda, I must stay behind for a while and let my family see that I am all right. I will be to your home soon to continue our training. Would you mind taking my daughter with you? I will send Alessandra with you as well.” Catrona looked at her with a soft smile. Even after being trapped in a crystal for months, she still exuded so much confidence and beauty.
“It would be my honor,” Amanda replied, taking Catrona’s daughter’s hand. Amanda closed her eyes and felt the power running through her. Her time with Ariella had made sure that she knew all there was to know, perhaps even more than Penelope did, about being a Radiant. She couldn’t wait to tell Penelope all about her time in Faerie.
She felt the Earth and the ley lines, all the energy the Earth provided her, and she willed all of them home.
***
November 7, 2014
I am happy to say that Romeo and I are finally back at the estate for good. The repairs are all finished, and though we lost much of the furniture and the downstairs, the library room with the diaries, and my bedroom are miraculously still intact. Sometimes, I think there must be someone watching over me. I’d like to think it’s my parents or maybe even my aunt. I reread her diary from time to time and talk with others about what she was like. I see more and more of her in myself each passing day. She was such a strong and loving woman. I wish I could have known her.
As far as Elena, or Lilith, or whatever the witch’s name is, everything has been rather quiet on that front. It may be the calm before the storm, but I have enjoyed the time of peace to spend time with my new husband and my two beautiful children. They look like the perfect mix of both Romeo and I, and I am so proud. They are already learning to sit up and are cooing and laughing. It brings more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined.
However, there are other issues to address. Today is going to be a big day. The Radiants are having a meeting to decide whether or not they should all stay here any longer. Our powers are starting to cause many disturbances in the weather and the environment, just like they warned me it would. But I still feel uneasy with them going. I can feel something brewing, and it’s coming soon. Hopefully, I can keep them from leaving just a little while longer.
Tonight, we are also holding a formal ceremony to honor both Damon’s and Remus’ life. Not everyone agrees with it, but I thought everyone deserved a time to grieve, and both men deserved to be remembered. Remus died to save Audri’s life. Even if he was only a good man for that last ten seconds of his existence, it’s enough to say he changed. It’s that simple.
Until my next thoughts, I bid adieu.
As Amanda closed the leather-bound book, the ground began to shake, and she could hear the kitchenware rattling in the cabinets.
“Get Jason to the door frame!” she called out to whoever might get to him in time as she scooped Sarina up in her arms and placed herself in the doorway. It was just one of the many earthquakes that had plagued the town lately, and they were getting worse, spreading over a further area. Amanda had become afraid to turn on the news because the center of the earthquake would always be nearby, and she didn’t want to hear about it. She wasn’t ready to admit fault.