Chapter 9

Nine

Moon

“ G rams…” I sigh heavily, when I walk into her home, finding a woman already sitting next to her on the couch.

My emotions cycle from annoyed, to angry, to shocked. I frown, as I stare at the woman who could be my twin. Except her hair is brown. That’s not what throws me off. Not even her youthful appearance.

No.

It’s her outfit.

Black leather from neck to toe. “Is… Is that a katana?” I murmur, staring at it with wide eyes and my mouth hanging open.

“Moonlight,” the woman whispers, tears flooding her eyes. She stands but doesn’t approach me. I watch as she lifts her hand and presses it against invisible glass like she’s trapped behind a window.

“Grams?” I say again, looking to the old woman for direction.

“Your mother was cursed. She isn’t allowed to get close to you, or it poisons you. Do you remember the day Steven was imprisoned? When you were given that necklace?” Grams asks, and I frown but nod, unable to speak. “Your mother nearly killed you, before she realized it was her presence poisoning you.”

“What?” is all I can say, as I look at the woman who left me. “Why tell me this now? Not when I was five?!” I demand, and Grams sighs.

“I didn’t know. I thought she had abandoned you.” Grams drops her head in shame, and I look at my mother for answers.

“I’m sorry Moonlight. I know my mother. She would have spent years trying to break the curse. I didn’t want her wasting her life trying to save me. I’ve always been close, though. Looking after you, protecting you.” She sniffs, dropping her gaze to the floor. “But that’s not why I’m here. Moon, you must be careful in the Games. Surround yourself with protection. Use your true power. I wish I could explain more. Tell you—" suddenly my mother chokes, coughing, and clutching her throat. Grams reaches for her, but my mother shakes her head, holding her hand up to keep Grams back. “I’m okay. I just needed her to see. I can’t speak it. I’ll die. And then I won’t be able to protect you. Some things I can say, though.”

“I don’t understand.” I frown, my chest aching as everything I thought about this woman turns out to be wrong.

“I know, baby. Just listen. Steven cannot be—" She chokes again, and her eyes water. “Trusted.” Her choking intensifies, and she falls to her knees, hacking up blood. I rush forward, but I’m stopped by a magic barrier and push my hands against it.

“Stop…” I beg, not wanting her to hurt herself for this. “I’ll be okay,” I promise, shaking my head because I’m still lost.

“I know, my girl. You always are. Suspect everyone. Dig deeper. Remove—" She pauses, her eyes dropping to my necklace, and I frown.

“But—"

“Not until you’re in the Games. You must, Moonlight.” My mother rises to her feet once more and sucks in a deep breath. “Rely on the Heart Bond. Your magic knows what it needs, let it guide you,” she adds, as a strange sort of dizziness sets in, and I sway on my feet.

“Shine, you must go,” Grams says, giving my mother a push. “The barrier is weakening. Go.”

With one last sad look, my mother swipes at her tears and blows me a kiss. “I love you, my Moonlight.”

I can’t respond as I watch her run from the house, and my world goes black.

Moon

“Grams, what the fuck?” I ask, as I come to, and she hisses.

“Aphrodite Moonlight Blossom, must you use that language?” she grumbles, and I shake my head.

“Did she leave?” I ask, looking up at Grams, who somehow managed to get me on the couch by herself. I don’t know how, maybe magic, I guess.

Grams sighs heavily. “Yes. And she left me with more questions than answers.” Grams helps me so I’m sitting up and wraps her arm around my back, as she sits beside me.

“Me too. I really don’t understand. Remove the necklace? Don’t trust my dad?” I ask, and Grams shakes her head.

“You know, I’ve never had any kind words to say about Steve. That hasn’t changed. However, I want to tell you something that I suspect your mother was unable to. I don’t believe he’s your—" Her words are cut off, and she starts spitting up blood violently, making me scream in horror. I drop to my knees in front of her, trying to help her up, but she shakes her head, resting her hand on my shoulder to keep me back.

“Grams…” I say worried, as she starts to take sharp breaths.

“It’s okay. Apparently, I am unable to speak the words either. The truth will come to light in due time, my sweet Moon.” Grams pats my back as she stands, and ushers me out of the room toward the front door. “Now go. I have some things to arrange,” and with those words, I’m dismissed.

“Okay,” I grumble, looking down at the blood on my clothes. “Guess I should wash up first?” I ask, but she shakes her head, giving me another push.

“No, you need to leave, now. Go, Moon. Please.”

I don’t like the way her voice shakes, or the way her eyes flick around the room, but I can’t exactly boss the old lady around. She’d whoop me for trying.

“Be safe,” I tell another person in my life for the second time in one week, and I hate it. It feels ominous. Like I’m inviting trouble to her door.

Maybe I’m the trouble at her door, though.