CHAPTER 70 The Shaman

Fire

I woke up to an empty bed. Although we were tired from our trip, Drew couldn't sleep.

Drew was beside himself with worry despite the fact that his grandmother shared a friendship with some of the vampires.

"Uncle Kai, I know the Marquess or the Duke may not hurt her, but the Vampire King is out for revenge," Drew told his uncle.

"I don't understand. Why?" His uncle asked, confused.

"Because we killed Damon, the Eldest of the East Coven Stronghold," Drew answered. His uncle looked at Drew's face and began to laugh. We stared at him, puzzled by his reaction.

"Nephew, the Blood King has never cared for Damon. Damon was given the rank as Eldest because of his affiliation with the Enchantress. He doesn't want revenge. He wants your new Luna," he said. Uncle Kai handed Drew an envelope. "Your grandmother has known this day will come and we have prepared for it. Tomorrow morning, there will be a meeting to brief you of our plans."

I sighed. Later in the day, we would have to face the Blood King. I knew everyone in Drew's territory was looking to me to lead them against the bloodsuckers, unfortunately, I haven't had the time to explore my powers. Anyway, I've been trained to fight vampires the conventional way.

All I have ever needed was a stake.

I pushed the blankets off of me, deciding it was best to get dressed and find some breakfast. It was still snowing and it was considerably cold, but after being in the tropics for a month, I welcomed the cold temperature.

I put on a robe over my simple nightgown and entered the connecting sitting room of our bedroom suite. I was surprised to find breakfast was already waiting for me on a small table. I quickly sat down and enjoyed a warm bowl of congee, dimsum and some traditional Chinese tea.

Suddenly, the door to our bedroom opened and in came one of Drew's cousins, carrying clothes on her arm. She was surprised to see me eating and hurriedly bowed and introduced herself.

"Good morning. I didn't know you were awake. Please forgive me. I'm Jing, Luna. Former Alpha Kai's daughter," she said in impeccable English with a British accent to boot. She was tall and slender, around Drew's age, wearing a beige cashmere sweater, jeans and slippers.

"Good morning, Jing. No need for formalities. You can call me, Fire. Have you had breakfast?" I asked. There was still food untouched. She smiled and nodded her head politely. I noticed she and Drew had the same smiling almond eyes.

"We just finished having breakfast. Anyway, I came to give you some clothes. I heard all of your luggage are at Mutianyu Village," she said, placing the clothes neatly on the couch. "After you've gotten dressed, I'll bring you to the pack's Shaman."

"Shaman?!" I asked, bewildered. Why on earth would I need to see a shaman?

"Yes, as instructed by her after communing with Priestess Mei. You have a lot of conflicting emotions tied up mostly to the past of Enchantress Ying Yue. Seeing the Shaman will help you tap into the source of energy from your past and present selves," she explained. "I've been told to accompany you since Alpha Drew is currently in a meeting with the high-ranking wolves," Jing said then glanced at her watch. "How about I meet you downstairs in thirty minutes?"

I gave her a small smile. "Sure, I can get ready in thirty minutes."

"If you need clean towels, you'll find them in the cabinet. Remember, let the water run for five minutes to warm up and oh, I almost forgot. I need to get your shoe size," she said.

"I'm a nine," I answered. "Thanks, Jing. I'll meet your downstairs."

When Jing left, I quickly went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth while letting the water run. I took a quick shower and got dressed. Jing lent me a light blue cashmere sweater that reached mid thigh and some dark leggings. The cashmere was so soft. She even included a matching light blue beanie. I braided my hair and tucked my head into the beanie. The outfit made me remember my college days in Boston.

I heard voices as I walked down the stairs in my slippers. I was surprised to see Alexander and Jing talking to each other like long lost friends.

I clearly forgot Drew and Alexander were best friends and rich wolves attended a particular university to earn their degree. Silly me.

"Fire, have you met Jing? We all went to university together. Well, Jing here even attended Secondary school in London, hence the accent," Alexander said when he saw me.

"I have. She even lent me my clothes. The cashmere is so soft," I said. "Thank you."

"We produce cashmere wool," Jing said. "It is one of our main products, aside from silk, leather and tea. You'll find the goats at a huge barn near the edge of the territory. The sweater you're wearing was made here." She turned to Alexander. "I need to bring here to Grandma Xia. Do you want to stay here or come with?"

"I'll stay here. I'll accompany High Elder and Elder Drache after they've finished their breakfast," Alexander said. "I'll see you two later."

The wooden door of the mansion was being replaced as we stepped outside. Jing handed me dark knee high leather boots while she put on a pair of brown ankle boots. The leather was soft, comfortable and warm.

"Ah, all our products look great on you. Drew has already ordered a full wardrobe. He said you only brought beach attire," Jing said. "This way. Grandma Xia's house is over that pond."

In the morning light, I was so amazed at how beautiful the territory was. It looked straight up from a movie. The snow couldn't hide its innate charm and I could only imagine it would be more beautiful here during the spring and summer.

Like all the houses in the territory, Grandma Xia's house had large wooden doors with lanterns hanging above it. Before we could even knock or call out, the doors opened revealing a small elderly Chinese woman with a cane, wearing dark glasses and a bright red traditional Chinese robe.

"I have been waiting for the both of you," Grandma Xia said in Mandarin, bowing slightly. "Hurry up and come in. Take pity on an old woman. I may be wolf, but I can no longer fight the cold."

Jing bowed before entering, so I did the same. I hurriedly took off my boots and put on some slippers. The inside of her house was traditional including the wooden furniture and vases which adorned the house.

She led us into a dimly lit smokey room filled with burning incense. I had to fight the urge to cough. The smoke was so thick and there were no windows.

"Enchantress, you must kneel on the rug. Jing, you stay here at the back. I need you to stay quiet."

I followed her instructions and kneeled in the middle of the rug. She took a jar filled with a white crystalline substance which I took for salt.

"Yes, this is salt," she said, obviously hearing my thoughts. She made a circle around me including one around Jing. "Jing, don't leave that circle until I tell you it's okay."

"Ying Yue was a clever Enchantress. She placed a block on most of her powers which inadvertently gave you the power to block other powers. Although you have tapped into a few of Ying Yue's powers, there is one power which will help you against a bloodsucker," Grandma Xia explained. "We need to unlock it so you can be what you are destined to be. Close your eyes and pray to the Moon Goddess for help."

I nodded my head and obeyed, closing my eyes and praying to the Moon Goddess.

A cool breeze blew, caressing my face. I opened my eyes and found myself floating in darkness while a faint light from a distance glowed. The light seemed to be approaching me, becoming brighter and brighter while I stayed in place. Suddenly, a woman appeared wearing a yellow gown, her long skirt billowing with the wind.

I gasped. It was like I was staring in a mirror. I blinked my eyes rapidly, thinking the face smiling at me would change, but the face remained the same.

"Hello, my daughter. I have waited for centuries for you to be born," she said in Mandarin. The woman in front of me was Ying Yue! "You have come to unlock your powers as Priestess Mei had said you would. Come daughter. Touch my hand." She extended her hand towards me, her fingertips flickering with small flames of blue.

I reached out to her, extending my right hand as far as I could, but I couldn't reach her. I moved my body forward, praying quietly to the Moon Goddess and the Virgin Maiden of Aludra for some help.

And it worked. A strong breeze blew, catapulting forward, enough to touch Ying Yue's hand. The blue flames from her hand transfered to mine with a surge of energy more powerful than the one I felt during my mating ceremony.

"When you feel frightened, the blue flame will protect you. Go, child. Rest assured, I will watch over you as you bring peace," Ying Yue murmured as she floated away back to the source of the light.

A sudden gush of smoke filled my nostrils, revealing I was back in Grandma Xia's house. However, the smoke smelled putrid... a scent I was very familiar with. I suddenly felt the urgency to fight.

My hands began to emit a blue-flame, forming a small ball. Before I could stop it, the bright blue ball escaped the confines of my hands towards the source of the scent. A jar at the corner of the room broke into pieces, setting whatever was in it on fire.

Grandma Xia clapped excitedly after the flames disappeared.

"You are ready to meet the Blood King."