Tales by moonlight

irred, my body heavy and my mind clouded, as if emerging from a dense fog. Blinking against the

e swirling in the small vial. "It will help you," he'd said, his voice calm but his eyes brimming with urgency

ough the window, bathing the room in light so bright it stung my eyes. I

silhouetted by the sunlight. He was staring at m

his voice carrying a warmth th

appened?" The question felt as m

nts careful, as if he feared sta

Elias's intense gaze, the bitter taste of the potion, a

ice tight with concern. "Elias said it would help unlock your.

yet oddly resonant. I searched Aiden's face for

oed, my voice bare

ut..." He hesitated, glancing toward the window as if the right words l

nd of gift required a mysterious potion and left me fee

were the loose shirt and sweatpants I had been wearing before. Now, I was dressed in a simpl

id that by yourself," he blurted out, a faint pink tinge creep

topped. How much had I forgotten? How long had I bee

I asked, my voice ti

y accusation visible on his face. "About a day.

rength. Aiden moved to steady me, but I waved him off.

realized I hadn't eaten anything the previous day, and

d rest," A

ker of determination rising within me. Whatever had happened, I

Elias is waiting downstairs. He

rust him or fear him, but one thing was certain: I needed to uncover the trut

a wafted toward me. Elias had already set the table, the spread of food almost too in

his expression calm but watchful. "Good morning,

a seat cautiously, my gaze flickering between Elias and Aiden as the questions began

_____________

e living room, his face a storm of rage. His booming voice fi

sts clenched tightly. "With a man?

tage. "I tried to stop her," she said, her voice laced with false concern. "But she wouldn't l

y father's face darkened further, his trust in me cr

ely mistaken," he snarled, slamming his fist onto the

th her calm facade, a flicker of fear lingered. If I ever returned, the truth would

. But suddenly, like a jolt of electricity, the memories came flooding back. Clara. Her

I said abruptly,

my wrist. "Your stepmother, ri

you know about her?" My voice was sharp, almost

aver. "There's a lot I

if seeing him for the first time. The weight of hi

ith questions. Determination etched into my every step, I k

ally reached the house, I barely paused to catch my breath before stepping inside. The door cr

fireplace, his posture rigid and his face thunderous. The tension in the air was palpable, thick