Page 5 of Total Lunar Eclipse
“I know this is no excuse and you will probably not believe me, but it was the only way. Lina. . . trusts me. She thinks I’m weak,” I say bitterly. “Craven. The spineless, gentle giant. She equates my neutrality for-”
“Stupidity,” Zahra finishes for me.
My brows arch in surprise, “Yes.”
She shrugs, “I get. People treat me the same way.”
That she is even still talking to me is astounding.
“Lina still thinks I love her. That I am loyal only to her. . .well, she did. Until I stole her powers while she was in the throes of an orgasm.”
“Is she gone then?” Zahra asks in wonder.
I know she is referring to what happened to Sunny.
“No, I took her luminescence, but she escaped before I could take her powers fully. She realized what I was doing and fled, using the dwindling light power to jump dimensions. Her lunar powers are still fully intact, unlike Sun, who completely drained his when he gave you his energy. Remember, Lina was so powerful because she had her own powers and then some of Sunny’s.”
She swallows hard, “Where is she now?”
“My guess, probably her domicile to regain her strength. But she’s stuck now, wherever she went. Without her luminary powers, she cannot jump realms.”
“You actuallyfuckedher?” She asks, derailing back to that.
I flinch.
Not that it isn’t an important detail. . . but what I said about Lina isbig. I basically stripped her most used powers and fixed her in time and space.
I almost relish thinking about Lina fuming over my betrayal.
The self-absorbed bitch never saw it coming either, until it was too late.
“Yes,” I finally acknowledge. “And I wasn’t done giving you more juice. Sit back down,” I command.
She eyes me warily, but does as I ask.
She reopens herself, and I start feeding her my power once more.
“Do you regret it?” Her question interrupts my concentration.
“No,” I answer truthfully.
I hurry to explain before I can crush her spirit anymore today.
“Trust me when I say it was the only way. When Sun gave Lina his power, he only gave her half. Before, he was so strong he didn’t need to feed when realm jumping. His own energy could sustain him until he got back to his domicile. When he shared with Lina, it obviously weakened him. Although still powerful, he needed to feed when visiting different dimensions. I knew if I could get you Lina’s luminary powers, you would be unstoppable. . . . coupled with my expansion powers, you should be able to materialize with the others, regardless of whether they are all direct or not.”
I stop speaking and focus on completely channeling myself into her. I feel my life force flow outward and latch onto her soul. Brighter and brighter her aura glows until it is nearly blinding, my expansion power tripling the pure luminary power. I give and give until there is nothing left inside of me.
Tired and drained, I slump to my knees. Feebly, I grab the pink goddess who claimed my heart. She is still drunk on her newly magnified powers to take me in fully and I use this opportunity to place a gentle kiss on her lips.
“I love you,lahela’iki.”
I feel my body slowly begin to dissolve into particles of nonexistence.
As I turn into pure essence and become one with the universe once more, I look at Zahra. Her eyes shine with horror and something more. . .
Forgiveness.
I am undone.
