Daughter of a Demon

CHAPTER FIVE - Luna's Children

CHAPTER FIVE

Luna's Children

It was 5:00 am when we left the house and the air outside had just begun to grow lighter and warmer. Caneo has been driving for four hours straight nonstop and any signs of civilisation had faded long ago.

I watched silently as blurred trees passed us by and tried to identify some, but failed mostly. I imagined myself free from this whole mess and flying above the trees among the birds. I envied birds. I sighed and turned away from the window, content for now to watch Caneo instead.

The further and further we got from our house the more relaxed she had become and a small smile played at her lips. Something flitted through the air and I concentrated my hearing to find it.

It was a melody. Soft and barely audible but beautiful all the while. I looked over at Caneo intending to ask what it was, but stopped when I saw the slight movements in her lips. She was humming.

I smiled and leaned my head back against the headrest, enjoying the tune. My eyes slowly drifted downwards. Closing. Allowing the darkness in. The darkness was within me. I am the darkness.

                         - - - -

I opened my eyes and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. It was still light outside but I could see the sun hovering low over the horizon as if it were deciding whether to take the plunge down into darkness.

A small smile pulled up a corner of my lips. I knew what it felt like to be in darkness. I sometimes wonder how lonely the planets must be up there in space. But then again, if I could, I'd probably join them.

Caneo noticed my movements and gave me a full blown smile.

"You were asleep for quite some time. I was thinking of waking you but decided not to." She gestured at the endless road ahead, "We're nearly there anyway"

I looked out the window and tried to make sense of the trees that flew by on either side of us and the dark road ahead.

"Where are we exactly?" I asked trying to show my confusion.

Caneo smiled again. "Some where in the mountains" She said mischievously.

"Where?" I sighed and turned to look out my window. I knew she probably wasn't going to give me an answer, so there was no point in waiting for one.

"Somewhere we'll be safe." Her reply was almost inaudible and I nearly mistook it for the sound of the wind chasing the car.

I closed my eyes and imagine myself running, only being chased by the shadows of the trees flickering over my eyelids.

I seemed to drift for a few seconds. Knowing I had a choice between sleep or light. I shook my head slowly. I didn't have to choose. What do you actually receive by choice nowadays?

The car hit a bump in the road and I was shaken in my seat. Awake. For now.

I looked outside to see that we were now driving on gravel. The shadows of the rocks were long and distorted, created by the setting sun.

I remembered something and brought my arm up to the light, pulling back my sleeve. Much to my disappointment, the tattoo was still there. It shimmered and writhed like a trapped snake. Or a lonely shadow.

The car passed through a patch of land with no trees and the full blast of the dying sun shone on the tattoo. The letters dispersed and faded into the remaining shadows on my arm. However, a few letters remained. They were undeterred by the retreating sun and remained arrogantly still.

I traced my fingers over them and tried to make out what they said. As you probably already noticed, I'm not fluent in Demon.

Ceres.

I wonder what it means. "Ceres" I said softly, testing the word. It sounded foreign yet it felt like I was connected to it. Like it was a memory from a different life. I made a mental note to ask Caneo about it later.

The empty patch of land ended and the trees hid the sun once more. I looked down at my arm just in time to see the words and letters drift back and cover up the secret word.

The car began to slow and the machinery inside creaked in complaint. I looked up to see a modern wooden house partly hidden by tall trees. There were large glass windows and one circular window at the highest story with what appeared to be a telescope looking out of it.

A bit of movement caught my eye but before I could see what it was it disappeared within the shadows of the house. Caneo got out and slammed her car door and I opened my own on cue. I looked over at the house once more. It really was big, and well hidden among the trees.

"Hey Celeste, a little help here" Caneo opened the boot and pulled out two suitcases and some other smaller bags. Probably all her books.

Before I could get to her the front door slammed open and I spung around, expecting - well I don't really know what I was expecting. However it certainly wasn't what I saw then.

A little girl dressed in a long sleeved white dress with straight white hair ran down the front steps and sprinted towards the car. "Caneo!" She paused only a second to hug her sister, "You're back!"

Caneo smiled one of her brilliant smiles and picked the little girl up. "Yes I am. And this time for good"

All the while this whole reunion was happening I had walked up to them and they only seem to have noticed me now.

"Is this the girl you were talking about?" The little girl asked curiously, dropping out of Caneo's arms.

"Yes" Caneo gestured towards me, "This is Celeste" And then gestured towards the little girl who giggled shyly, "Celeste this is my little sister, Lunae Lumen"

"Wow. Is that Latin?" I ask, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah. It means moonlight" Lunae Lumen said proudly. "But everyone calls me Lulu"

"Ok" I said but then hesitantly added, "Lulu"

Lulu beamed up at me and said, "I know what your name means"

"Oh yeah? What does it mean?" I played along. I don't mind children as long as they don't bother me.

"It's means heavenly" She giggled and then said, "Together we would be heavenly moonlight" She laughed at her own little joke.

Caneo gave out a short sweet laugh and picked up a suitcase. "Come you guys" She pulled out one last bag from the boot and then closed it, locking the car.

I grinned along with Lulu and bent down to pick up a suitcase, but stopped short and stood up straight when I heard footsteps on the front deck.

"Hey, come help us with the luggage!" Caneo called to the boy who had appeared.

As he jogged towards us I couldn't help but check him out. He had a strong jawline and, I have to admit, beautiful nose with dark eyes. His hair was silvery like Caneo's and cut short. All in all, he was fairly hot.

"Welcome back" He hugged Caneo and turned to face me, "And this must be the shadow girl"

"Celeste" I offered.

He nodded and grinned. "You must be Caneo's brother, Illuminare" I said. I don't like greetings that much. They're usually quite awkward.

He chuckled and drew a hand through his hair, "No one has called me that in a long time, except for my mom, Luna" He looked straight into my eyes and I couldn't look away, "My name is Chet"

"Welcome to the home of Luna's children"

Storm clouds were broiling and his eyes turned darker.

Chet.