Lunar Rising

Sorrow

Aura's Pov:

Vivian returned to me with a swollen eye, split lip and defeated hallow eyes. Her blank expression stared at the wall soullessly. I didn't interrupt her, I just sat there quietly observing her pain. 

They had let her come back to my confinements only once or twice a day to check on the progression of my wounds. 

The markings were mostly gone now, and the scarring was barely visible as my porcelain skin replaced the brutish bites with time and healing.  

I didn't know how much longer they would let me have her company. Hannah and Lily were even more sparse. I don't think they wanted so many of their prisoner females in one place for too long; it would give us too many chances to conspire mutinous plans. They were right of course. 

That was all I could think about...

I knew that the compound would be too dangerous for Luka to storm alone, and he would likely be killed before he made it through their borders if he tried. An unfamiliar territory would need time and planning to do it successfully. 

But each day that passed, the ghostly hallow expressions of the women here grew heavier on my conscience. They prayed to a Moon Goddess to protect them, and I was the Moon Goddess' useless vessel in this realm. I wasn't protecting anyone like this.  

My veins heated with the prickling sensation of anger as the faint hum of my magic rolled through my veins. Slowly, it was coming back. Too, slow, but possibly just enough...

"Your eyes..." Vivian whispered in a warningly low tone. 

My fingers shot up to my cheek in surprise, hovering just barely under the base of my eyes. 

"Oh! I'm sorry." I whispered back apologetically, taking a deep breath to settle my restlessness and suppress my powers.  

"If they find out that it's coming back so soon, it won't end well, " Vivian stared at nothing.  "And they'll kill me for sure for helping you cover it up." 

She laid her hand across mine in a soothing manner, giving me a little squeeze for extra reassurance. 

The blockers they had been injecting me with had been wearing off quicker and quicker. Each time they give me it, my body is slowly building a sort of tolerance to it. I can feel my powers pushing against the barriers, wanting to be free. 

Vivian taught me how to calm myself and reign in the magic, so it doesn't peek out from under the surface. The longer I can keep them hidden, the stronger they will have a chance to become and maybe... just maybe, I will be strong enough to make a break for it. 

A warmth tingled across my chest where the crest was. I rubbed the spot absentmindedly. 

"We have to go Vivian... Soon." I urged.

My sudden declaration surprised her, and her eyes were wide with worry. 

"You aren't strong enough yet Aura!" She hissed out. I knew she was worried for my safety, but I was now worried for hers. The way these people used her... I shivered.  

I looked down at the swell of my belly. I wanted so badly to let my emotions of adoration and excitement flow through me, but all I could feel was fear and anxiousness. 

"Vivian, I can't stay here... Who knows how long I will be able to carry before Casimir and his nasty witch pluck this child from my belly. He wouldn't even halve to wait for me to be full term, he just needs the baby to live outside of me long enough to complete whatever sadistic ritual he has planned."

I rubbed my bump nervously, biting back the stinging tears. 

Vivian let out a shaky breath. 

"I know." She stared at my belly; concern pouring off her face.