Elusive Dreams

By Floriminda Edar Reid

Love is the very food of life or the death of it. Alana’s life changed forever the night she learned the dark and seductive truth of blood and those who crave it.

So far, she has managed to keep the secret from her mother, but her increasing involvement with the immortals has brought many things into her life. But the price she must pay for the thrill of an intoxicating romance with Christian may be higher than she can bear. Her life now is tinged with fear and danger, as well as a love that could span the centuries.

Desperate after being hunted by the hideous Restless, Alana accepts the invitation from the ancients of the Other Forest. In their protection lies her only hope for survival, but that hope is short-lived. The ancients need her help.

The more willing Alana is to help the ancients, the more she is drawn into their lives and terrors. Soon, she will learn the mystery of her own ancestry, and that knowledge will haunt her. Alana is given a dangerous task on the White Mountain, a realm of dark forces where she battles both life and death.

Only time will tell whether the Restless and the renegade vampires that allied with the Dark Forest will be able to stop Alana’s quest. With his immortal powers distorted by the dark forces, Christian may not be able to protect Alana from the wrath of the witch or himself from the murderous intention of a rival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Floriminda Edar Reid
• Release date: Feb 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311179791

Book preview

Elusive Dreams

Floriminda Edar Reid

Elusive Dreams

Floriminda Edar Reid

Copyright 2015 by Floriminda Edar Reid

Smashwords Edition

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the author or publisher, except where permitted by law or by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine or journal.

All Rights Reserved.

For my parents

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank Lynn Mead from the bottom of my heart, for her awesome support and for giving up her own precious time to read my manuscript. Your unselfish encouragement and tips made everything easier to finish this second book.

Also, I’d like to thank all those who have read and enjoyed Moonless Night. You’ll find the answers to your questions in this second book.

Last but not the least, my daughter Lorelei, who brought me breakfast in bed (sometimes,  ) while writing my manuscript on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Thank you hon, you are the best!

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Prologue

The thunderous sound of horse’s hooves echoed around the cornfield. The boy as young as seven was frantically running. His face was as white as his starched white shirt. His eyes blinded with tears, lips turned purple, his mouth was so dry that his throat hurt. His heart pounded hard against his chest. He could only run as fast as his young legs could carry him. He didn’t notice that the long, thin, sharp leaves of corn trees were cutting his face and arms. All he wanted was to keep as much distance as possible from his pursuer, not far behind him. He must warn his cousin and his sister. He sobbed. He felt his chest was about to rupture.

The boy started to scream once he was on the clearing, no longer concealed by the cornfield.

"Run to the forest! Hurry," he shouted with all his strength to the two children who were sitting on the fallen log, waiting for him. The boy aged nine and the little girl aged five were oblivious to what was going on. They stood up together; concerned when they heard the second scream and saw the boy running towards them, his face contorted with fear. He shouted again.

"Run!" He urged them, pointing to the forest ahead of him

Just an hour before, the trio had been playing near the shallow creek behind the cornfield, a hundred metres from the forest. Usually, the two boys explored the forest nearby and knew a lot about the hiding places where they could watch the rabbits, squirrels, and deer nibbling on some food. But today was not the same because they had the little girl to look after. The adults were at home waiting for their visitor, the town vicar, to arrive.

Ever since Lizzie started walking, her brother Thomas and cousin William became second in charge of looking after her when her Ma was pre occupied with things in the house. Lizzie followed her brother and her cousin Will, whom she adored. William would call her the most beautiful little fairy princess in the world and Lizzie’s face would turn red with delight, run to William’s arms and reward him with kisses on his cheeks, while Thomas watched, laughing.

While they were out playing, Thomas wanted to go to the forest. They would gather wild berries and mushrooms, and then Ma and Aunt Tilly would be pleased. One of the boys would have to go back home to fetch a basket or a bucket for what they had collected. Thomas volunteered, and William stayed with Lizzie.

When Thomas had nearly reached the house, he didn’t see his parents or Aunt Tilly on the porch where they normally would stand watching to say goodbye to a visitor or a friend. Thomas could see the visitors in the distance. There were three of them already on their horse’s backs, looking around and moving slowly away from the house. Thomas went inside the house and was horrified to see blood everywhere. His parents and aunt were lying on the floor; their throats had been slit. Shocked, Thomas screamed and ran from the house, but one of the vicar’s companions heard and saw him.

Both William and Lizzie were puzzled for a second, wondering why Thomas was screaming, running and so afraid. Then they saw the man on the giant horse. He was holding a long sword and chasing Thomas.

"They killed them!" His terrified voice was more like a husky whisper than a shout. And they were the last words from Thomas.

The man on the horse lifted his sword and, with a swift movement, cut Thomas from his neck down to his waist.

He spat on the ground and muttered, You all deserve to die, all non-believers.

Thomas lay on his stomach, his body twisted and his head turned facing William and his sister Lizzie.

Shaken and horrified, William gathered Lizzie in his arms and ran to the bridge made of a single log, towards the forest. Lizzie’s long silky black hair flew behind her, partly covering William’s face. Lizzie was too young to understand what just had happened to her brother, but she was old enough to know that he was hurt, very badly. Lizzie bit her lower lip hard; her violet eyes were round and big. She was petrified as she saw the evil face of the man, who angrily twirled his horse and galloped towards them.

William’s cold sweat dripped on his ashen face. They must get on to the bridge and then they would be safe in the forest. He must protect Lizzie with his life if he could. They were on the bridge and William tried to balance his feet on the single log, careful not to slip.

Only a few more steps and they would be safe.

Thomas didn’t know if he was dying. He was too numb to feel the pain but he knew he was hurt. He saw William carry his sister to safety. His sister’s white starched dress was like white smoke. Her long black hair flying; almost like a dark clouds following them.

Will and Lizzie were now halfway over the bridge to the forest.

Thomas eyes focused on William balancing on the bridge. The forest will hide them… I will come for you Lizzie, I promise you that. Will and I will look after you...always… were Thomas’ thoughts before he stared into oblivion.

The forest was so close, but it also seemed too far away to reach. William leaped from the bridge to the edge of the forest. He and Lizzie stumbled face down on the hard earth.

"Go, Lizzie. Run to the forest, now!" William helped his little cousin get up while he used his body as a shield to protect her from the man on the horseback.

The giant horse leaped to the other side of the bank.

Lizzie tried to get up, but somehow she twisted her right leg. She tightly pressed her lips together to stop from screaming. She dragged herself and managed to get up with one leg.

The man on the horse was shouting wildly at them. Vermin!

He ran at them easily on his horse. He kicked the girl’s chest hard with his booted foot, and ran his gleaming sword through her tender body and then turned to William and skewered his back.

Another man on horseback appeared and said, Make sure they are all dead. No non-believer is allowed to live on Earth. His chilly voice echoed in the now deadly quiet Sunday afternoon.

"All the vermin are dead, my lord," was the reply.

The two riders fled from the scene.

William slowly and painfully crawled to where Lizzie was lying motionless but miraculously still breathing. His tears mixed with his own blood dripped from his face; staining Lizzie’s white frock.

William whispered in her ear.

"Lizzie. I am sorry. Lizzie... can you hear me? His voice was hoarse from the pain as more blood dripped from his mouth. It’s going to be all right, Lizzie. You are going to be okay, just keep on breathing."

William continued to whisper in Lizzie’s ear. He hoped that Lizzie’s heart would go on, hoped that she would live and that somebody would find them.

But Lizzie’s breathing was now like a slow puff.

Lizzie didn’t know where she was, where her Ma, Pa and Aunt Tilly were. Thomas was hurt, she had seen him fall. She could barely hear the voice that whispered in her ear, but she knew it was William talking to her.

"Lizzie...can you remember when you let the moth free from the bottle... because the moth couldn’t breathe? The moth was trapped inside... and you set it free in order for it to breathe the air and live? Now Lizzie…, you must do the same thing… like the moth. Keep breathing. Think that you are the air and you will be all right." William said between ragged breaths.

Lizzie stared vacantly up to the sky, as if she wanted to tell William she would do as he told her, but she couldn’t. She could not move. Her body hurt. A single tear fell from the little girl’s eye.

William continued to coach Lizzie.

William loved his cousins. He knew that Thomas was dead; he had seen the bad man slash Thomas. He had fallen to the ground, his body twisted. But Lizzie will live, he hoped. He adored his cousin, he thought she was the most adorable, gentle and beautiful little girl he’d ever seen.

Lying on his stomach, William put his arm protectively around her. He would make sure that no one would ever hurt her again.

"Lizzie, I have to close my eyes for now, but I will be beside you, even after someone finds us. I will be with you always. Goodnight, my beautiful fairy Lizzie. See you in the morning."

Like Thomas, they didn’t make it to the forest to hide.

William died with his arm around Lizzie’s unmoving body.

Lizzie died before dawn.

No one had witnessed the barbaric killing of the three children and their family, except for one of the inhabitants in the forest. The woman was standing under the ancient oak tree, a few feet away from where the barbarian had slaughtered the young children.

She had seen it all. But she could not help them, as it was not meant to be. Slowly she moved away from the ancient oak tree, lights gathering around her, as if lifting her from the ground. She raised her arm and murmured something that sent sparks to the lifeless body of Thomas. Then she sat next to Lizzie and William until the first glimpse of the morning sun light.

"I am the daughter of earth and water,

And the nursling of the sky;

I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;

I change, but I cannot die…

Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,

I arise and unbuilt it again."

Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822

Chapter 1

Request

The ocean was dark blue, almost as black as the sky above. It was vast, intimidating and unpredictable. Tonight the tide was high. It was frightening for anyone to imagine such water could rise as high as a ten story building. It could send crushing tidal waves to the shores. Such catastrophes did happen in other parts of the world. How fragile everyone’s lives were and how the mortals took it for granted, was a sad realisation. Yet, despite how unpredictably the moods of the ocean could bring death, it could also bring life to the people on the island, providing them with a means for their livelihood. The ocean shared its natural abundance of the sea species, not to mention the tranquillity and beauty, such as the present rippling gentle waves flirting seductively with the shore.

No one was on the beach. The earlier rain had kept everyone away, even the lovers who usually walked hand in hand under the moonless night. A slight breeze gently moved the needles of the pine trees along the road.

There were few cars parked, overlooking the empty beach. On the other side of the road, the restaurants were still open and catering for their customers. They were oblivious to what had happened thirty kilometres away, where Christian and Alana had been attacked by the Restless. The aromas of food lingered; spicy stir-fries, fried vegetables, charcoal grilled steak, lamb, chicken and fish, fresh bread and coffee.

Alana could hear the people in the restaurant; their high-pitched laughter, their faint conversations; the oh really, no way and oh my god kind of stuff. She hoped that her mum was one of the people inside the restaurant. Alana was glad that her mother was with Gina and not alone at home. She wondered why her own life was no longer like the people in the restaurant. She thought about her friends Di and Fred in particular, what were they doing and were they safe at this moment? Would any of them believe that mermaids, fairies, vampires, and monsters like the Restless truly existed?

Well, probably not. None of them would, Alana thought. She shuddered. She hoped to see no more of the Restless. But she knew in her heart that what had happened earlier was just the beginning. Christian had put his life in danger for her. Twice now he had saved her life. She snuggled closer to his statue-like body. The heater was on, comforting her shaking legs at least.

A car parked next to theirs, the music loud. The three occupants in the car were eating chicken takeaway. One of them, a girl, noticed Christian. She smiled at him, but Christian pretended he didn’t notice the girl. They were humans, all right. He blocked his mind from reading their thoughts.

Something had happened during the fight. Christian sensed something that he had never experienced before. It was as if Alana was with him when he fought the Restless. It gave him even more power than he already had. Christian couldn’t think what it was.

Christian diverted his thoughts back to the monsters. He knew there were more of them to come and soon. He was ready and would gladly kill them all. He already knew things were complicated and part of the complication was Alana’s friendship with the fairies. His thoughts over her fairy friends, opened more opportunity to read other immortals nearby. There were a few of them, invisible to human eyes.

Alana, that girl over there wants to talk to you, Christian said, pointing to the girl who was standing alone on the sand, not far from where they were.

What? Where? Alana sat up, adjusting her eyes to where he was pointing. Christian shifted his position to allow Alana to lean forward, so she could take a better look at the girl on the beach.

How do you know? Oh, it’s Loren! Christian, that is Loren, she is a... Alana’s face lit up.

Yes I know. Go ahead; she wants to talk to you, alone. I’ll be here and you are safe.

Of course I am safe with her. She is my friend. Can you see if Adrian is around?

Yes. He is not far away.

You okay if I talk to Loren?

Of course, I would not say go otherwise. I will not stop you from talking with your friends, Alana. I remember you told me before that you have not seen her for a while and it shows in your face how excited you are to talk with her. Besides, she might be able to help us find out what those creatures wanted from you.

A shiver ran through her body at the thought of the creatures, but she knew that she was safe while Christian was with her.

Just checking. I just want to make sure you are okay with it. She kissed Christian’s lips lightly.

He responded briefly. Now, we don’t want to keep your friend waiting, do we? he teased and released her.

I’ll be back soon, okay? She slid out the car.

Alana ran to Loren’s outstretched arms. Her steps made deep shoe marks on the wet sand and the light wind blew her hair back. She was in good spirits, considering what had happened earlier.

Loren! Oh, it is so good to see you! Alana hugged her fairy friend tightly. Loren’s skin felt warm, soft and light like the twilight summer breeze.

"Eww... do you really have to kiss him like that? You don’t know what he was eating or sucking on before. Ah, never mind, humans are so complicated. Loren put her light hands on Alana’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. Anyway, it is good to see you in one piece."

Oh Loren, I was so scared... Alana was interrupted before she had a chance to complete her sentence.

Of him? Well, I can’t blame you. I did warn you though, did I not? Loren glared over to where Christian was.

No. No. That was not what I meant, Loren. We were attacked by the Restless, two of them. They were horrid creatures. It was so scary and horrible. Christian killed them both, she said proudly. She was talking fast, her violet eyes big and round. Her hands gestured upwards as if to convince Loren to believe her story.

Really? So...the bloodsucker just finished feeding himself? Oh, how convenient.

That is not funny, Loren. Please, be serious. I haven’t seen you for a while and I don’t expect these unkind remarks from you.

Well, sorry about that. I thought I was being serious. Anyway, Adrian told me about the Restless. We have been looking for you at your place, the shop and the whole Taraka town. We could not find you.

We went to the city to run some errands.

Oh, well, my senses cannot reach you that far. I would have to ask every single bug and ant to look for you and even that would be an effort because, as you know, ants are only interested in looking for scraps of food to put in their mouths. Loren shook her head as if it was hopeless to ask the insects.

Then how did you find me here?

It is different at night; our senses are sharper and quicker and we use our own kind if we need help for hunting. He, over there, picked up my essence. Loren nodded her head to Christian. Alana wondered if Christian was listening to their conversation.

So... fairies hunt for food, too? Alana asked.

"Yes, we do hunt for food in our ways," Loren replied. Alana thought that fairies did not need to hunt but clicked their fingers to command food to come to them. Loren continued, In my world, we can use magic and the food will appear but there is no fun with that. So we choose to imitate what we learnt from the humans in the early times when we came to your world. We do similar tasks as the humans but not exactly the way humans do, and especially not the way your fiancé hunts for food. You know what I mean…eating people. Whatever. I know you will defend his honour but that doesn’t make him any less a vampire. Loren shrugged and squatted, facing the water. Alana did the same beside her.

Loren, Christian has never pretended that he was not a vampire. You misunderstood him. Christian and his family are incredibly wonderful, sweet and nice. Not all vampires are horrible, and he doesn’t eat people.

Yeah, right, but you can’t be certain until someone you know of is eaten alive or sucked for their blood.

Alana let out a sigh. Suddenly she felt tired. The back of her neck was sore. She didn’t want to argue with Loren. Alana changed the tone of their conversation.

By the way, why did you say Christian was my fiancé?

Is he not? Loren glanced at Alana.

Yes, but how did you know?

Adrian told me. He saw the ring on your finger. He knows these things. Don’t forget he used to mingle with humans.

Alana touched the ring in her finger. None of her human friends knew yet that she was engaged. If they found out, they would congratulate her as that is what human friends did; well, at least some of them would like Diana and Fred, William, Lisa, Catherine, Bianca, Tina and George but definitely not Stewart.

Don’t you know that this stone came from the enchanted Underwater Kingdom? Christian’s first adopted family had given him this stone with the King’s blessings. Sorry, I don’t mean to brag but you are a fairy in the forest just like those fairies living under the water. She looked at the ring on her finger and felt she was bragging to Loren.

Loren glanced at the stone on Alana’s finger that looked so black against her pale skin. Hmm. How fascinating. I’ve seen something like that before, many hundred years ago. Loren playfully took a handful of white sand and let it fall freely from her hand. "Alana, the ancients want to see and talk with you. I mean, they want you to come to our next full moon gathering. It is important that you come. It is a request."

The solid sound of motorbikes stopping opposite the restaurant area prompted Alana to look back over her shoulder to where Christian was, his pale face concealed by the shadow. The memory of the three thugs on their Harley Davidsons ran through Alana’s mind. But it was the look of a snake eyes thug, the fourth biker, Alana remembered and made her shiver.

But the bikers that stopped opposite the restaurant were truly humans. Alana sighed with relief.

What? Alana said.

It is important that you come, Loren said gently.

Why? Is this about the Restless? Alana wondered why her presence was important.

I guess so, if you want to know.

But why can’t you just tell me now what the Restless want? I can assure you that I don’t have what they are looking for.

Loren stood up. She stretched her dancer legs and graceful arms. "I can’t because, first, I don’t know why the Restless came to your house. Secondly, the ancients will only come out during the full moon gathering and thirdly, you may be surprised if there is more to it than just the Restless."

What do you mean by, ‘there is more to it’? You know something, don’t you, Loren? Alana pressed on.

They were now standing, facing each other. Alana had the beginning of a headache and she suddenly felt so cold inside as if her legs could barely support her body. She pressed her arms behind her back, making a cracking sound. Then she rolled her head gently from side to side to loosen up the tension behind her neck.

Loren frowned. A no answer from Alana would not be appropriate. She understood how Alana must have been feeling about the attack. Loren eyed her mortal friend and felt compassion towards her. It was the ancients that wished for Alana to be there.

Loren hoped Alana would come.

The previous night had been exhausting, even for the fairies. The creatures from the Dark Forest had been spotted in the mortals’ territory. This kind of incident had never occurred before; and who for Goddess’s sake had set the Restless free? To ransack the place of her mortal friend was even more upsetting. The Elders were concerned about the incident and reported it to the Goddess.

To make the matter worse, the Goddess’s son had had seizures two days in a row. Loren sighed. Once this errand is done, she must curl herself inside a tulip’s bud before she gets a migraine.

I said, if. And there is nothing I know that I can’t tell you. All your questions will be answered in the next full moon, so make sure you come. I have to go now. Adrian is upset about something, I don’t know why. He is shutting me out.

Alana shrugged, loosened her shoulders and said, He was acting rather weird when he saw me earlier at home. Oh, I almost forgot, thank you for the present, Loren. It is a cute little tree and I loved it. What time do you want me to be there?

You’re welcome. Loren smiled. Glad you like it. Please be there just after twilight time. Adrian and I will meet you at the No Exit sign. See you then. Bye, Alana.

Alana hugged her friend.

Bye, Loren. See you soon.

Loren walked towards the big rock where Alana used to sit and where Christian had approached Alana one evening. Strange at how things had rapidly changed since then. Loren disappeared into the dark.

Christian already knew what Loren wanted from Alana. They did not talk much until they were inside Alana’s place. Elizabeth had left the lights on in the lounge room. She had also left a message for Christian to stay for a while with Alana until she got home. Elizabeth didn’t know that Christian stayed with Alana most nights now. Alana no longer felt safe at night in her own house, especially after the attack.

Alana showed the message to Christian.

He put his arms around her waist and teased. The pleasure is mine. I am always at your service.

He could tell that she was uptight.

Alana’s thoughts were everywhere. One was her mother’s safety; second the attack from the Restless, then there was Loren’s invitation, and the last was how many more monsters would come and Christian would have to put himself at risk in order to protect her?

Chapter 2

Ancestors

"I have to go by myself Christian. I need to know what they can tell me about the Restless," Alana said. She went to get some water from the fridge. God, she was so thirsty.

Christian closed the front door and followed Alana to the kitchen. He leaned his back on the bench next to the fridge, thumbs in his jean front pockets.

Then I will go with you and no arguments, please. We have discussed this before. I cannot let you go to the forest by yourself, especially at night.

Loren and her kind might not like it, especially the ancients. They want to talk to me alone, Alana argued while reaching for a piece of chocolate cake in the fridge. She took a big bite. She was starving too.

Alana had the feeling that Christian would never let her go to the Other Forest by herself. She could feel the complications were building up already between her immortal friends.

Your friend’s elders will not mind. I am sure that when they see me with you, they will not do anything to upset you. They want to talk to you and that is all that matters to them. They will all ignore me for being there.

Alana swallowed the big piece of cake in a matter of seconds and gulped the water from the bottle.

Christian dropped his gaze, as if embarrassed that he had let her go hungry, yet again. I am very sorry, I overlooked that you need to eat. I forget sometimes that humans need constant food.

Alana shook her head. Oh, that’s okay. It has been a long day and I was not hungry earlier. Her eyes bulged when she swallowed another piece of chocolate cake. She then traced her finger on the World’s Wonder coloured calendar that hung on the kitchen wall.

The next full moon is, in four days’ time? She did not expect Loren’s gathering would be so soon.

Yes. It looks like it. And the sooner we find out, the better. Christian tilted Alana’s chin up. You worry too much, it will be okay.

Alana felt trapped.

Would their gathering take all night? They may be her friends but she was also scared to be out in the dark, not knowing what exactly was there waiting for her. Alana was unsure if having Christian go with her to the gathering was a good idea. At the same time, she wanted him to come along, it made her feel safer.

Alana was also worried for her mother. She could not leave her mum at home by herself. She twisted her lips, as if annoyed by the things that were happening in her life lately. Why was she in this predicament? She did not ask for this. Where did all this start? All she wanted was to be with Christian. No drama. No dark, human form creature with hollowed eyes, twisted skeletal fingers and two lizard tails. Alana didn’t make any comment to Christian. She was far too worried about what she would find out at the fairies’ gathering.

Christian did not wait for Alana’s mother to wake up. He left just as the sun was rising. He promised Alana that he would be back before midnight. He and his brother Lachlan would need to recharge their batteries, so to speak. They would go to the ocean to hunt, rather than in the forest for the big bird.

No need to worry, okay? I’ll make sure Claudia will be here to accompany you during my few hours of absence. Christian kissed Alana’s head and reassured her before departing.

Elizabeth came down and joined her daughter at breakfast. She noticed the slight dark circles under Alana’s eyes.

Alana glanced at her mum on the seat opposite her, and asked about her night with Gina. She had been too tired and sleepy to bother asking the previous night.

Did you have a good time with Gina last night, Mum?

Elizabeth nodded her head. Yes. I had a great time. Then she hesitated a few seconds, whether this was the best time to tell Alana about what she and Gina had planned. Oh, last night, Gina and I were discussing taking ten days’ holiday to Bali. We planned it six months ago but I was not sure if she was still keen until last night, when she brought up the subject. Apparently, there is a special fare. She waited for Alana’s reaction.

Buy one and get one half the price, Elizabeth added quickly.

Oh, Mum, that would be fun. You should go. When will this be?

Hmm, I am not really sure if I want to go, after what happened the other night. I do not feel comfortable leaving you alone.

Elizabeth was still worried about the ransacking of their house and the police not finding any clues.

Mum, you need a break from the shop. You have been working really hard. You should go and have an awesome time with Gina. You haven’t had a break for over two years now. What happened the other night will not happen again. If you are worried about the shop, Mary and I can manage.

It was perfect timing for Alana to attend the full moon gathering of the fairies. She wouldn’t have to worry about her mother’s safety.

"Okay. Okay, I will go. I will only be away for ten days. We leave this