The Shift

14. Apartment 6b

I cannot get over how freaking adorable he is omg <3

also, this might be a little shorter than usual XD sorry

oh and alSO this is me trying to close a plot hole from the first book, although the solution isn't too great so, *shrugs* sorry

Skylar

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I realized was: I had fallen asleep. The second: I wasn't in the hotel anymore. Ok. So that light I saw and that water I'd heard wasn't a dream. I sat up slowly, my eyebrows furrowing as I took in my surroundings.

I was sitting in a patch of grass in between a small pond and a few stones. The sky above me was pitch black with stars twinkling scores it, the moon was full and bright as if shining down on this city specifically. Obviously I wasn't asleep for very long if it was still night. Across the pond, at the entrance to the oasis type clearing I was in, were Alec and Ryan. They stood there in jeans and plain t-shirts, their heads tilted upwards, their jaws open in shock.

I followed their gaze to a bright light just above them and thought: how the hell was that not the first thing I noticed? It was a woman, a beautiful woman wearing a long, flowing white gown that seemed to intermix with their tendrils of light and energy circling her body. Her hair was a beautiful shade of dark brown, contrasting perfectly with her ivory skin and silvery blue eyes. She had an aura of power around her and a crescent moon necklace around her neck.

Was this—was this the Moon Goddess? It had to be. No one could be that pretty and not be a god. I pulled myself to my feet, walking over to Ryan and Alec. Typically, whenever I was near Ryan, he'd grab my hand or my waist, or even just pull me to him, but he seemed to be so captivated and awe-struck by this woman he didn't notice I was there. It was a weird feeling.

Her blue eyes found mine and I then understood why Ryan hadn't noticed me. I had no doubts this was the Moon Goddess. But how was she here? Dare I say it—how was she real?

A smile formed on her face and a calm feeling washed over me. Questions bounced around in my head, but they didn't bother me or make me anxious. Her smile seemed to erase that, erase any conflict or turmoil I'd had within myself.

"Hello Skylar." She said softly. I blinked. Jesus, even her voice was heavenly. "I've waited a long time to meet you." Her gaze shifted over to Alec. "And you too, Alec."

Alec stared up at her with adoration, that of a loyal worshiper praying to his beloved God. "Why?" He asked, seemingly confused but not sounding overly concerned.

She floated down towards us until her bare feet touched the grass. "That I cannot tell you, for you must figure it out on your own."

"Then what can you tell us?" I inquired, watching her wave and flow as if underwater. "Why are we here? Why did you send us here?"

"To find out your true heritage, Skylar."

I blinked again, glancing at Ryan and Alec for a brief moment before turning back to her. "Okay, so why have me bring all these people along with me?"

"Each one plays an important part, and besides you are not the only one here to discover something about themselves." Her blue eyes landed on Alec for a moment but both him and Ryan seemed so awe-struck, they didn't notice.

My eyebrows furrowed, confusion settling in my stomach. "So what do we have to do then? Where do we go? Who do we talk to? How long do we need to stay in one place?"

She shook her head slightly, her gown and hair billowing beautifully. "Unfortunately those are things you must figure out for yourselves." She said. "The Fates would not allow me to tell you anymore then the address to the people you must talk to, time they'll be in Cincinnati, and where in Cincinnati they'll be. They claimed it would 'mess with your destiny' or something like that." I blinked at the sudden informality of her speech. She must've noticed my shock because she smiled. "I'm used to speaking very formally because I've been alive for thousands of years, but I've also grown with time and have taken to contemporary speech. Would you prefer me to speak to you that way?"