Chapter 344

Tessa’s POV

Esme, Patty, Cole, Claira, and Bennet worked on putting a shield around the circle while the rest of us gathered around while Ruby stood in the center. Everybody looked equally nervous except Ruby who looked confident.

I could hear the battle ongoing around us and my heart was breaking for the lives that have been lost. I glanced at my father’s house, hoping and praying that he was still inside and that he was safe.

I glanced over my shoulder and through the fighting I saw Joseph kneeling on the ground beside Benard who had blood pouring out of his neck. My heart shattered in an instant. My entire concentration and faith had been broken as I felt sick from the sight before me.

Bernard… no…

He couldn’t be…

My thoughts went back to Anna’s vision a while back about Bernard dying during a battle.

Was this the battle he was meant to die in?

It wasn’t often I saw Joseph crying, but in this moment, he was absolutely gutted. Bernard was like a father to him and watching Joseph break like this destroyed me.

My knees felt weak, and I thought I was going to fall to the ground but Esme’s strong arms wrapped around my waist as she held me up.

“You need to concentrate, Tessa. Just as we practiced,” she told me, her voice filled with concern, and yet it was firm and direct.

I blinked away the tears that had formed in my eyes as I turned to look at the rest of the circle who stood and stared at me with concern etched in their own eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

“Call each element to the circle and thank them for their services,” Esme instructed just before she released me and joined in with the others keeping the shield around us. The shield was meant to protect us from battle.

I looked at Amy and nodded at her.

“Air, you are the oxygen we need. You breathe life into our souls and fill our lungs. You provide energy and strength to the earth. Thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle.”

Just as the words were spoken, Amy’s eyes lit up with yellow essence and the wind whirled around us, nearly knocking me off my feet. Amy looked so vibrant in the moment as she took a deep breath.

I looked at Hannah who straightened her posture as soon as our eyes met.

“Earth, you are our home. You provide us with all our basic needs and encase us in your shelter. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to exist in the way that we do. Thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle.”

I watched Hannah’s eyes light up with a green essence and then the scent of freshly cut grass and pine filled my senses. Hannah looked gorgeous as her face lit up; she closed her eyes, taking in the new scents around her.

I turned my attention to Austin.

“Water, most of the earth is made up of you. You bring life to not only the green but the creatures and humans that inhabit it. You replenish and nourish. Thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle.”

Austin’s eyes lit up with a blue essence and it felt as if a mist tickled my features. I could smell the salty scent of the ocean and feel the spray of waves on my face. I couldn’t help the smile on my own lips from the sensation and Austin looked taken aback by the feel of the water on his own face. But then he looked tranquil and relaxed being enclosed with his element.

I glanced at Derek who looked nervous, but that was basically his personality. He was always nervous and worried about something. It made the fact that his element was fire a bit ironic.

I gave him an encouraging smile as I said, “Fire, you are the heat that warms the cold. You are strong and powerful. You helped me greatly in this battle and for that, I thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle!”

Derek’s eyes lit up with a red essence and I felt the heat hitting my face. It wasn’t hot enough to burn, but just enough to let me know that it was here. Derek was in awe at what he was feeling, and I could see that his anxiety was washed away almost immediately.

Lastly, I looked at Laura.

“Metal, you are the barrier that keeps us protected. You are the shield during our battles and savior when needed the most. Thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle!”

Laura’s eyes lit up with a silver essence and I swear I could smell the metallic metal, but most importantly, I felt the power of the shield surrounding me and I felt protected.

Laura looked more relaxed and confident as well, knowing she was also protected.

I lifted my arms in the sky and closed my eyes as I felt my own element, along with the others, surging through me.

“Spirit, you are within all of us. Without you, we are nothing but vessels. Without you, there would be no life. Thank you for all that you do. Please, join us in our circle.”

I felt a surge of energy coursing through me as all the elements danced around me. When I opened my eyes, everyone had big smiles on their faces. I knew that my eyes were probably glowing with a purple essence.

Ruby still remained in the center of the circle, staring at all of us with wide and determined eyes.

I smiled at her as each Element danced around us, connecting each of us and blocking us from the battle. It was as if we were in our own little worlds. At this moment, nothing could break us apart. Not even Carter who was desperately trying to break through the circle since spotting Ruby in the center of it.

I was surprised that Ruby paid him no attention. When he first appeared, she looked a bit frazzled like she wanted to run to him, but she quickly recovered, knowing what was important.

I heard Joseph calling my name as well, but I ignored him and focused on my task at hand.

“Elements, please protect my best friend, Ruby. A lot of her energy will be taken from her, and I need you to keep replenishing her and strengthen her! Help her powers expand and do whatever she asks of you!!”

Ruby sucked in a sharp breath as each element encased her and filled her with energy and strength. A bright smile lit up her lips and she winked at me just before she held her head up to the sky and stared at the twinkling stars. She whispered something that I couldn’t hear with the commotion of everything going on around us, but part of me knew she was speaking to the Moon Goddess.

I watched as my friend began to glow brightly. I almost had to squint to see her properly. Though her entire body was lit up, her eyes went dark. It was a look I had never seen of her before, but she lifted her arms, each fingertip glowing different colors and shooting rays of light into the sky. I sucked in a sharp breath watching the colors expand from my best friend, engulfing her completely. It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen in my life.

Soon, the sounds of the fighting all ceased to exist as everyone dropped to the ground.

….

Joseph’s POV

When I saw Tessa in that circle, my first instinct was to get to her. No matter how loudly I called her name, it was as if she couldn’t hear me. Carter noticed Ruby in the center of the circle, and he began freaking out immediately. He did everything he could to break through, but it was too strong.

It took everything I had not to grab Tessa and run with her, but I knew I’d never be able to get through the barrier.

I took a step away from the circle and then everything went black.

When I woke up, I wasn’t in the same spot I was in. I knew right away that I was in some kind of vision because everything became hazy. I was surrounded by darkness and smoke. It was difficult to breathe, and I could hear screaming and despair all around me. I felt the darkness seeping into the earth, and it left me feeling numb.

When some of the smoke cleared, I saw nothing but death all around me. Not even the moon was capable of shining through the dark clouds that hovered over my head. Nothing lit up the way except the crimson shade of blood that decorated the ground beneath my feet.

I saw the red eyes in the sky and a chill ran down my spine. It was the evilest thing I had ever seen and when he laughed, I thought I was going to be sick to my stomach. I wasn’t normally this terrified of things, but in this case, I had never been so scared in my life.

I’m not sure how long I remained in this vision; it was long enough to see the world falling apart and the life that I would live without Tessa. I felt drained and weak by the time my eyes flew open and I was back on the farm.

I lifted my head and saw that I was lying on the ground. Everyone in the battle was also lying on the ground; some woke up, and some remained in the vision for a little longer. Those who were waking were very confused and terrified. I had no doubt in my head that they saw exactly what I saw.

My eyes flashed to Tessa who was now facing us; her eyes were glowing purple and the purple aura around her was shining. When she looked at everyone, I knew it wasn’t her present, it was the Moon Goddess.

“What you just saw was life without the Heavenly Heart and Heavenly Light. Without them, the world as you know it will know nothing but darkness and despair. Keep battling, and your fate will be sealed. Don’t let your greed and envy cloud you from what is important. You know nothing of the gift I have in store for my children. I sent you Heavenly Heart to protect you. It is meant to be shared, not possessed. You must think about what is best for this world. I have gifted you with free will and I would never revoke that, but I ask that you think about your choices carefully before you continue with this fight. Tessa and her unborn child must be protected, or Alastair will take over.”

I not only heard the words out loud but also in my head and I wondered if this message was being relayed worldwide. Had every supernatural creature in the world seen the vision and heard the Moon Goddess’s warning?

“Let this be a warning to you from your Moon Goddess,” her words rang through the air and nothing, but silence followed.

The glowing around Tessa dimmed and she closed her eyes as the Moon Goddess made her exit from Tessa’s body.

Only the screams from Carter brought us back to the present moment.

“Ruby!!!!!”