Prologue
Hurry. She thought to herself as she picked up the pace, lengthening her stride, despite her discomfort.
Gemma knew she had to reach the apex on the mountain soon before the aurora disappeared. She clasped her hands tighter around the satchel she wore, its contents rattling against her thigh. A shudder ran through her body suddenly and she shook off its effects; determined to continue her ascent.
The stars in the night sky began to twinkle, almost mischievously, and the West wind blew at her back, propelling her forward. The winds power behind her, gave a lightness to her steps; blowing at the edges of her coat as she continued to climb. Her boots crunched into the light dusting of snow that feathered upon the mountain side; each step sending spirals of snowflakes into the air mirroring the heavens themselves.
She saw the first velvety greens of the aurora borealis slither across the sky, moving rhythmically upon the winds breath. The air felt charged with energy as the emerald ribbon-like tendrils of the borealis descended towards the apex itself. Above her, the full silvery moon rose; shining down beams of light refracting off of the fresh powdery snow like jewels.
Almost there, she thought.
Ahead stood a large pillar of snow touched stones and an ornately carved moonstone offering bowl. Gemma steadied herself and let out a breath; its vapor dancing in the wind in front of her. She cautiously stepped forward towards the altar, disturbing the jeweled snowflakes rest. The peak of Mount Eos was a sacred place and she knew that every move she made would determine her fate.
Tread wisely..the winds whispered to her, as they stilled suddenly. Gemma felt as though the universe itself was waiting to take her measure.
Even though she had painstakingly prepared for this moment for weeks, she couldn't help but think to herself, There has to be another way. She pushed that thought away, steeling her resolve. It has to be now, the meteor shower is just weeks away. As soon as the thought of the impending meteor shower crossed her mind; the winds whipped wildly about her in a torrent, swirling her long raven locks around her in a frenzied motion.
Gemma gazed upward, her grey eyes sparkling in the moonlight, as the aurora tendrils twirled downwards ever closer to the stones. She gathered herself, taking a deep breath. As she stepped up towards the altar, she pulled a jeweled dagger from her satchel. It was made of pure iridium and gleamed wickedly.
Raising it high above her head, she called out bravely, "Astria guide me, for I have followed the stars here, Caelus, of the Aether shield me, by the light of the moon Lady Selene I beg for your protection. If not for me; then for who is to come." Her left hand swept protectively across her swollen belly.
The wind stopped abruptly, leaving a sense of calm and stillness across the peak. A green burst of the aurora broke off; encircling the dagger with a glowing emerald light. She grasped it tightly, and even though it burned her skin, she knew she could not release it until the offering was complete.
The green light intensified piercing her grey eyes. Gemma shut them reflexively; shielding herself from the burst of starlight that shot downward into the emerald ribbons of the aurora. She took a breath, opening her eyes slowly to behold dancing emerald flames swirling off of the dagger.
She sliced into her left palm with a measured careful stroke; feeling the hot well of blood come to the surface of her porcelain skin. The wound sizzled and hissed from the magical flames.
Gemma squeezed her hand over the moonstone bowl dripping her blood into its smooth basin. She took her right hand and focused her energy carefully. She felt the familiar crack and stretch of the muscles and bone as her fingers shifted into a raven colored wolf paw. She used her paw deftly, using her claws to scratch the sigils of the moon, the aether and the stars onto the bowl with her own blood.
When she finished, Gemma placed a bloodied paw print upon her own full belly. She felt the baby wiggle inside her sensing her touch. All at once the winds came again; this time from all directions, encircling her within their vortex. The paw print on her stomach glistened in the moonlight as her child stilled. Gemma felt an eerie sense of calm from within her, like the child was projecting it through her.
The child must have her Father's gift of magic. If I had doubts before, now I know for certain that I must complete the ritual. I cannot let them take the child under any circumstances. Please hear my call great ones. Protect the child. The Oracle had shown her a path to save the child and perhaps avoid the prophecy. It was forbidden for Shifters and Mages to mix bloodlines, but she couldn't help that her Mate had been Zayne; her wolf would not have let her leave him, no matter the cost. She had kept the child's father a secret from the pack, but knew that without protection the truth would come out.
There was one thing left to be done now, per the Oracle's instructions. A true sacrifice of the flesh, an offering to the Gods to seal the ritual. Gemma held her paw over the moonstone bowl and slashed into her flesh again; the iridium flashing, as her pinky fell into the bowl below burning up in the green flames.
A thunder clap echoed across Mount Eos as the moon above turned a deep crimson. The vortex of wind drew inwards sending a chill through Gemma that drew a gasp from her red lips. She watched as the crimson drained from the moon above and the aurora borealis vanished. When she looked downwards again, the offering she had left within the moonstone bowl was gone.
She heard a voice resonate upon the wind, piercing through her mind, saying, "It is done. When the meteors return, the exchange of spirit will pay for the child. You shall call her Lyra."
