CHAPTER 414: A PRIVATE MEETING

I stood there in the heart of Star’s room, the air thick with the remnants of raw emotion—tears still glistening on cheeks, hugs lingering like echoes, and that palpable sense of relief washing over everyone like a gentle tide. The living wood of my home pulsed faintly beneath our feet, as if the house itself breathed in sync with the reunion unfolding. Vincent—my Star—and Katrina lay entwined in the bed, their fingers laced together, oblivious to the world for a moment. Winter clung to Nicholas, her sobs subsiding into quiet sniffles, while the others—Natalie with her regal poise, Zane’s protective stance, the ethereal siblings Jacob, Tiger, Eagle, Bubble, and Fox, and even Sebastian and Cassandra—hovered like guardians in a circle of light and shadow.

But beneath the joy, I felt the undercurrent of unfinished business, a cosmic thread pulling at the fabric of reality. It was time. I couldn’t delay any longer. Closing my eyes briefly, I extended my essence, that neutral force of creation that bound me to all things. It was effortless, like dipping into a still pond, as I invaded their minds—not forcefully, but with the subtlety of a whisper carried on the wind. Natalie, Zane, Jacob, Tiger, Eagle, Bubble, Fox, Sebastian, Cassandra... I reached out to each, planting the summons like seeds in fertile soil.

"Come to me," I projected, my voice resonating in their thoughts, calm and insistent. "I have something important to share. Something that concerns us all. Meet me at the door."

I opened my eyes to see the reactions ripple through them like a stone skipped across water. Natalie’s brow furrowed, her celestial eyes widening in surprise as she turned her head slightly, searching for the source. Zane’s lycan instincts kicked in; he stiffened, a low growl rumbling in his throat before he caught himself, glancing at his queen with a puzzled tilt of his head. Jacob, the wolf spirit, blinked rapidly, his ethereal form shimmering as if the intrusion had disrupted his very essence. Tiger, ever the silent guardian with his golden-brown hair catching the light like autumn leaves, crossed his arms, his green eyes narrowing in quiet suspicion. Eagle, the wind spirit, ruffled like a bird sensing a storm, his features sharpening with intrigue. Bubble—wait, no, that must be a misnomer; perhaps it was a playful nickname for the water spirit among them—shifted uneasily, while Fox, the fire spirit with his fiery red hair, let out a soft huff, his outspoken nature already bubbling to the surface. Sebastian, the vampire lord, arched an eyebrow, his dark eyes flickering with amusement mixed with wariness, and Cassandra, his fierce werewolf mate, placed a hand on his arm, her slayer’s instincts on alert.

"What was that?" Zane muttered under his breath, his voice a deep timbre that carried the authority of a king. He scanned the room, his gaze landing on me with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Did anyone else hear...?"

Natalie nodded slowly, her reddish-blonde hair—much like her daughter’s—falling over her shoulder. "Yes. It was Rayma. In my head again." She turned to me, her expression a blend of awe and confusion. "What do you mean, ’something important’? We’ve just gotten through one crisis. Can’t it wait?"

I smiled gently, that neutral curve of my lips neither mocking nor reassuring—just present. "No, my dear Celestial Princess. It cannot. Trust me, this revelation will illuminate paths you didn’t know existed."

The group exchanged glances, the air humming with unspoken questions. Sebastian leaned toward Cassandra, whispering, "He’s always been enigmatic, but mind-speaking? That’s new."

Cassandra smirked faintly, her warrior’s edge showing in the glint of her eyes. "Or old. Who knows with him? He’s like the wind—unpredictable."

Jacob stepped forward, his wolf-like presence commanding attention. As the first son of the moon goddess, he carried an aura of primal power, his form human but radiating the wild essence of all werewolves. "Rayma, what is this about? You invade our minds like it’s nothing, summon us like servants. Speak plainly."

I held up a hand, placating. "All in due time, Jacob. But first..." I turned to Nicholas and Winter, who were still huddled near the bed. Nicholas’s black hair fell over his dark eyes as he looked up, his cocky demeanor softened by the protective arm around Winter. She, with her blonde locks now disheveled from tears, clung to him, her enigmatic coldness cracked open to reveal vulnerability.

"Nicholas, Winter," I said aloud, my voice steady and warm, like sunlight filtering through clouds. "Would you two stay here? Look after Star and Katrina. They need rest, and your presence will keep the shadows at bay."

Nicholas nodded immediately, his magnetic charm flashing in a quick grin despite the brooding undertone. "Of course. We’ve got this. Winter?"

She lifted her head from his shoulder, her voice still fragile but resolute. "Yes. We’ll watch over them. Brother... Vincent... he needs time to remember." Her eyes met mine, a flicker of gratitude mixed with her guilt. "Go. Whatever this is, handle it."

Katrina stirred slightly in the bed, her blue eyes peeking open again. "What’s going on?"

I approached the bed briefly, placing a gentle hand on the woven blanket. "Nothing to worry about yet, child. Rest. Your journey has been long."

Vincent—Star—squeezed her hand, his charming danger subdued into quiet concern. "Be careful, everyone."

With that, I led the way out of the room, the group following in a procession that felt both solemn and charged with anticipation. The house’s corridors, alive with twisting vines and soft, bioluminescent glows from embedded crystals, seemed to stretch accommodatingly as we moved. Natalie walked beside Zane, their hands brushing—a king and queen united. Behind them, Jacob murmured to his siblings.

"This better be good," Fox grumbled, his red hair practically crackling with his fiery temperament. "Invading minds? That’s rude, specially when it’s not supposed to be possible without a bond form by two or more parties."

Tiger, true to form, said nothing, but his strong, handsome frame moved with the grace of a predator, his green eyes scanning the surroundings as if guarding against unseen threats.

Eagle chuckled lightly, a windy whistle in his voice. "Rude? It’s efficient. But yeah, puzzled doesn’t cover it. What could be so important he pulls this? And who exactly is this guy?"

Bubble rippled with agreement, his form fluid and shimmering as he liquefied and solidified a few times. Sebastian and Cassandra brought up the rear, Sebastian’s vampire speed making his steps silent, while Cassandra’s werewolf origins gave her an unyielding stride.

We emerged from the house into the embracing arms of the forest, the air crisp with the scent of pine and earth, leaves rustling like whispers of ancient secrets. I guided them along a path that wound through towering trees, their bark etched with glowing runes that pulsed in rhythm with my steps. The canopy overhead filtered sunlight into dappled patterns, creating a mosaic of light and shadow that danced across our faces.

Finally, we reached the clearing—a breathtaking expanse where the forest parted like curtains on a stage. Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant hues, carpeting the ground in a tapestry of reds, blues, and golds. A crystal-clear stream bubbled nearby, its waters singing a soft melody over smooth stones. In the center stood a ancient oak, its branches sprawling like welcoming arms, and the air here hummed with raw, elemental energy, as if the veil between worlds thinned.

I stopped at the heart of it, turning to face them. They gathered in a loose semicircle, expressions ranging from Natalie’s patient curiosity to Fox’s impatient scowl.

"Alright, Rayma," Zane said, his alpha strength evident in his broad shoulders and commanding tone. "We’re here. Private enough for you. Spill it. What’s so important?"

I took a deep breath, savoring the moment—the thrill of revelation building like a storm on the horizon. "Jacob," I began, locking eyes with my grandson, the wolf spirit. "I need you to call your mother, Selena—the moon goddess. And your uncles, Sun and Shadow."

The words hung in the air like thunderclaps, and the reactions exploded in a cascade of shock. Jacob’s eyes bulged, his face paling as if I’d struck him. He staggered back a step, mouth opening and closing like a fish pulled from water. "What... how...?" he stammered, his voice cracking.

Natalie froze, her hand flying to her mouth, speechless, her celestial magic flickering faintly around her like startled stars. Zane’s jaw dropped, his lycan eyes widening in disbelief. "You know about that? Their heritage?"

Tiger’s silent demeanor cracked; he let out a rare grunt, his golden-brown hair seeming to bristle as he transformed partially, his hands shifting to tiger-like paws before reverting. Eagle’s wind spirit essence whipped up a sudden breeze, leaves swirling around us as his offense boiled over. "How crazy are you, Rayma?" he demanded, his voice carrying like a gust. "You think Mother and our uncles would just... appear because you snap your fingers? Who do you think you are?"

Fox, ever outspoken, stepped forward, flames dancing in his red hair as his temper ignited. "No respect! That’s what this is. No respect for the gods! You call their names like they’re old drinking buddies. Selena, Sun, Shadow—casual as you please. Have you lost your mind?"

Bubble bubbled—literally, small water orbs forming around him in agitation—while Sebastian crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the tension. "This is... unexpected. Even for you, Rayma."

Cassandra, loyal and fierce, glanced at Natalie, who remained utterly speechless, her blue eyes wide with a mix of horror and fascination.

I couldn’t help but smile wider, that neutral amusement bubbling up—funny, in a cosmic way, how mortals and ethereals alike clung to hierarchies. "Calm down, all of you," I said, my voice soothing like a balm on frayed nerves. "Breathe. If you don’t want to call Selena and her siblings, that’s fine. I’ll do it myself."

Jacob, already flabbergasted, choked on the very air, coughing violently as if invisible hands squeezed his throat. He doubled over, hands on knees, gasping. "You... you’ll... what? Yourself? Rayma, you can’t just—"

The others erupted in a chorus of protests and questions, the clearing alive with dramatic energy—winds howling from Eagle, flames flickering from Fox, the ground rumbling faintly under Tiger’s feet. Natalie finally found her voice, stepping forward. "Rayma, explain. How do you know all this? And why now?"

But I held my ground, the thrill of the impending summon electrifying the air, knowing this was the precipice of truths that would shake their worlds.