CHAPTER 404: THE MEETING

Natalie~

The next morning dawned with a crispness that pierced through the palace windows, the sunlight filtering in like shards of hope after my tumultuous vision. My heart still raced from the encounter with Rayma, that enigmatic figure whose presence lingered in my mind like a shadow refusing to fade.

I couldn’t shake the strange cocktail of emotions clawing at my chest—relief that Vincent was safe, and dread over the unanswered questions that followed. Safe... but with whom? And why? Those thoughts chased each other through my mind all night, keeping sleep far out of reach.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Katrina’s tear-streaked face, trembling between fury and heartbreak. I heard Nicholas’s silence—a silence so heavy it filled every corner of the room, louder than any cry could be. Our families were fraying, the threads holding us together thinning with every secret, every half-truth.

I knew I had to act, but I couldn’t let panic seep into the cracks already forming. The children—no, they’d had enough turmoil. Katrina, my fiery girl, her blue eyes so much like mine yet sharper, angrier. Alexander, my big-hearted boy, carrying the crown’s burden before he even knew what it truly meant. And Winter, torn between guilt and love, her heart caught somewhere between Katrina and Nicholas’s pain and her own pain.

And Nicholas... gods, that boy. Beneath his quiet defiance was a tenderness he tried so hard to bury. I saw it—the fear, the guilt, the need to protect what little peace he had left. They were all unraveling, each in their own way.

I couldn’t let them see my fear too. Not yet. Not until I knew what really happened to Vincent—and who we were up against.

I rose from the bed, the silk sheets whispering against my skin as I paced the chamber. Zane had been out all night with Sebastian, their search unyielding. Drawing a deep breath, I closed my eyes and reached out through the mind link, that ethereal connection woven from our shared bonds. It was like casting threads of light into the void, seeking the essences of those I loved and trusted most. "Zane, Sebastian, Cassandra, my brothers—Jacob, Tiger, Bubble, Eagle, Fox," I projected, my voice echoing in their minds with urgency. "We need to meet. Now. At Tiger’s house. It’s about Vincent. Come prepared, but leave the children out of it—they’ve suffered enough."

Responses flooded back almost immediately, a chorus of mental affirmations laced with concern. Zane’s growl was the strongest, warm and protective even from afar: "On our way, love. Sebastian and I are in Beck—tracked a faint shadow trail here. What’s happened?" Sebastian’s voice followed, smooth as velvet but edged with worry: "Nat, you sound shaken. We’ll be ready." Cassandra’s reply was fierce, her warrior spirit shining through: "I’m rallying my scouts, but I’ll break away. For the kids." My brothers’ responses were varied—Jacob’s deep rumble: "Little Moon, I’m already moving." Tiger’s was silent but affirmative, a pulse of earthy strength. Eagle’s whipped like wind: "I’ll meet you there, Little Moon." Fox’s was fiery and outspoken: "About time we roast some answers out of this mess!" Bubble’s bubbled with humor: "I’ll bring the flood if needed."

With the link established, I focused on Zane’s essence first, that familiar Lycan warmth like a beacon in the night. My celestial magic hummed to life, light coiling around me as I visualized the city of Beck—a bustling human settlement nestled between rolling hills and ancient woods, where shadows clung to alleyways like forgotten secrets. There they were: Zane, my king, with his broad shoulders and piercing eyes, standing amid the cobblestone streets; Sebastian beside him, his vampire grace making him seem almost ethereal under the morning sun. They’d sensed my approach through the link, pausing their hunt to glance skyward.

In a shimmer of light, I teleported to them, materializing in a quiet side street to avoid prying eyes. The air in Beck smelled of fresh bread from nearby bakeries and the faint tang of rain on stone. Zane’s face lit up with relief as he pulled me into his arms, his strength enveloping me like a shield. "Natalie," he murmured against my hair, his voice rough with exhaustion. "You came yourself? Must be serious."

I nodded, pulling back to meet his gaze, then Sebastian’s dark eyes, which held a mix of charm and concern. "It is. I had a vision last night—about Vincent. But we can’t discuss it here. Hold on." I placed a hand on each of their shoulders, channeling my power. The world blurred in a swirl of light and shadow, and in an instant, we were elsewhere.

Tiger’s home materialized around us, a sanctuary that always took my breath away. Tucked in a realm that felt deceptively earthly—lush forests whispering with life, ancient trees arching like cathedral spires, rivers singing crystal-clear melodies—it was a gift from our mother, the Moon Goddess, to her earth spirit son. No mortal could stumble upon it; the veil between realms shimmered invisibly, guarded by Tiger’s essence. His dwelling was a magnificent structure woven from living wood and vines, with walls that breathed, floors carpeted in soft moss, and ceilings open to the canopy where sunlight dappled like golden rain. Flowers bloomed eternally, their scents a symphony of jasmine and wild rose, and birds flitted about as if welcoming old friends. It was a place of profound peace, yet today, tension hung in the air like storm clouds. This was the only place I could think of that would give us the peace we needed for this meeting, and thankfully, Tiger was down with using his home when I asked him privately before letting the others know about the meeting’s location.

My brothers were already there, gathered in the spacious living room—a circular space with natural seating formed from smooth boulders and woven branches, a central hearth flickering with gentle, eternal flames courtesy of Fox. Jacob, the wolf spirit and first son of the Moon Goddess, stood tallest among them, his ethereal form radiating power, black hair tousled beautifully as ever, eyes glowing faintly with ancient wisdom. As father of all werewolves and the protector of all mother’s creations including us, he commanded respect, but today his brow furrowed in uncharacteristic frustration. Tiger, with his green eyes and golden-brown hair, lounged against a tree-trunk pillar, his strong, handsome frame exuding quiet guardianship. He could shift into any form, command the very ground beneath our feet to obey his will but here, he was simply our silent sentinel, one with the rustling leaves and obedient animals that peeked from the edges.

Eagle, the wind spirit, paced lightly, his lithe form whipping the air into subtle breezes, hair tousled as if forever caught in a gale. Fox, the fire spirit, with his wild red hair and outspoken demeanor, sat cross-legged by the hearth, flames dancing playfully in his palms. Bubble, the water spirit, lounged on a watery cushion he conjured, his form shimmering like a mirage, always ready with a quip to lighten the mood.

"Everyone’s here except Cassandra," I noted, scanning the room. Zane and Sebastian exchanged nods with my brothers, the camaraderie between them palpable—Zane clapping Jacob on the back, Sebastian flashing a charming grin at Fox.

"I’ll fetch her," I said, vanishing in another burst of light. Cassandra was in her and Sebastian courtyard, directing her search parties with her slayer’s precision, her werewolf strength evident in every commanding gesture. She turned as I appeared, her eyes fierce yet weary. "Nat, let’s go."

Back at Tiger’s, we all settled in. The room hummed with anticipation, the natural elements around us seeming to lean in, as if the forest itself listened.

I took a deep breath, my voice steady but laced with emotion. "Thank you all for coming so quickly. Last night, after another fruitless day, I collapsed into bed, but sleep brought a vision—more vivid than any prophecy I’ve had. I was pulled into a neutral space, neither light nor dark, buzzing with ancient power. There stood a man, handsome beyond words, with chiseled features and eyes that held suns and shadows. He called me by name: ’Natalie.’"

Zane leaned forward, his hand finding mine, squeezing gently. "Who was he, love? What did he say?"

I met his gaze, my heart aching with the memory. "He introduced himself as Rayma. I demanded to know what he wanted, why I was there. He said, ’You’ve been searching tirelessly for Vincent Shadowborn. I have what you’ve sought. He is safe with me.’"

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Sebastian’s dark eyes narrowed, his vampire charm giving way to sharp intensity. "Rayma? Never heard the name. And Vincent’s with him? How? Where?"

Cassandra, seated beside him, placed a hand on his arm, her voice fierce. "Safe? That’s a relief, but who is this Rayma to interfere? How does he even know about our search?"

Jacob growled low, his powers flaring silently, pacing now like a caged animal. "This doesn’t sit right. I’ve scoured the wilds, Little Moon—no shadow escapes the moon’s gaze, yet this Rayma slips through? I know things before they happen, sense every whisper under the sky, but Vincent? Nothing. It’s infuriating—like chasing mist."

Tiger nodded silently, his green eyes thoughtful, while Eagle’s voice whipped through the air. "Winds carry tales, Natalie, but they’ve been silent on this. No horizons reveal him."

Fox snorted, flames leaping higher in his palms. "Some nerve, this guy! Popping into your vision like he owns the realms. What does he want from Vincent? Sounds suspicious. I’ll burn through his illusions if I have to!"

Bubble chuckled, a watery gurgle in his tone, lightening the tension momentarily. "Or I’ll flush him out—literally drown his secrets in a tidal wave. But seriously, sis, how did he reach you through a vision? That’s god-level stuff."

I nodded, emotions swelling—fear for Vincent, hope for Katrina, frustration at the unknown. "Exactly. He knew my title, the Celestial Princess. Said he found Vincent lost and broken, but he’s healing. Promised to contact me when the time is right. Then the vision faded as I begged for more."

Zane’s growl rumbled. "We can’t just wait. Who is this Rayma? A god? A demon? Something neutral, from what you described."

Sebastian leaned back, stroking his chin. "Neutral... that space you mentioned. Reminds me of ancient lore—balances beyond light and dark. But why Vincent? The boy’s got enough shadows in his blood."

Cassandra’s eyes flashed. "For our kids’ sake—Nicholas mated to Winter, Katrina to Vincent—we need answers. This risks everything: pain, heartbreak."

Jacob slammed a fist into his palm, his power crackling like thunder. "I’m the all-knowing one here, and I’m as blind as a pup in fog! This Rayma mocks us."

Bubble grinned, trying to inject humor. "Hey, even you need a challenge, big bro. Let’s contact Mom—the Moon Goddess herself knows everyone on earth, right? She’ll spill on this mystery man."

Heads nodded in agreement. "Yes," I said, relief flickering. "She’s offered solace before. Let’s reach out—"

But before I could finish, the air in the center of the room shimmered, a vortex of neutral energy humming to life. Out of nowhere, he appeared—Rayma, in the flesh, his chiseled form materializing like a god stepping from myth. His eyes, depths of suns and shadows, swept over us, his presence commanding yet eerily calm.

Stunned silence gripped us for a heartbeat. Then, chaos erupted. Zane and Sebastian leaped to their feet, fangs and claws extending. Cassandra drew a hidden blade, her slayer instincts blazing. Jacob howled, shifting partially into wolf form. Tiger growled, vines coiling from the walls at his command. Eagle summoned gusts that whipped the air. Fox’s hands ignited in flames, and Bubble summoned watery tendrils, ready to strike.

"Who the hell are you?" Zane snarled, positioning himself protectively in front of me.

Rayma raised a hand, his voice smooth and neutral. "Peace. I am Rayma. And I come with answers."