THE SHIELD AND THE SWORD

Chapter 10 - MEETINGS AND GIFTS

Asteria

I slowly open my eyes. I’m in a dreamscape again. This doesn’t feel like the other times. I look around and see Selene sitting on the bench with a handsome boy I see in my dreams sometimes. I slowly set up, and Selene looked over, smiling at me gently. The gorgeous boy whips his head towards me when he sees her smile, and his eyes get big.

“Come and join us, Asteria,” Selene states. “I need to introduce you to someone.” I get up and walk over, sitting on the other side of Selene. I look at the handsome boy intently and then remember I don’t want to be a creep. He gives me a big smile.

“Asteria, this is John, my dear.” “Hi, John,” I smile, looking into his big brown eyes. I can’t help myself but look over his features. He has dark hair that goes to his shoulders—deep brown eyes, and a smile that any girl would swoon over. OK, stop creeping on him. I berate myself. Akira laughs at me in my head. “He’s ours,” Akira states. “What do you mean?” I quickly ask. “I mean, he is our fated mate.” “What! I’m only 14. How do you know?” I snap at Akira. “Don’t panic, Asteria. Selene will explain.”

I quickly look at Selene with what I’m assuming is shock written all over my face. Selene laughs. “Now that Akira has explained who John is, what questions do you have?” “So many,” I exclaimed, exasperated. “Ask away, dear girl.” “I’m only 14. How can I have a mate already?”

“You two will not meet physically for a couple of years. However, you have seen each other before in the dreamscape. Hecate and I have arranged this to help your bond grow.” She looks between me and John, then continues. “To be successful in your destiny, you both need a solid, unbreakable bond. To have an understanding of each other and to build trust. Hecate and I, along with the other gods, will try and help with that. This much we can do as we are not truly allowed to interfere with fate: free will and all.”

I looked back at John, and he was smiling at me. What do I say to him? “It’s true I have seen you training,” I say. He smiles wide and states, “I have seen you, too. I think you’re pretty badass. Is it true that you shifted?” He asks. “Yes, about an hour ago,” I reply. “I can’t wait to meet her one day. What is her name?” “My Lycan name is Akira.” About that time, Akira spoke up in my head. I can’t wait to meet him, too, she purrs. Oh my God, Akira, don’t purr like that. She is laughing at me. Don’t tell me you don’t think he’s handsome. We share the same thoughts. I know my face is red by now.

I looked back at John‘s face, and he was smiling. “Are you talking to her?” He asked. “Yes, she said she can’t wait to meet you, too,” I admit. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing that’s not all she said,” He exclaimed. Oh my God, I know I’m red as a tomato now. “Do you always say what you’re thinking?” I asked John. “Not always, but I like your blush, so I couldn’t resist,” He stated. Oh my God, I’m going to have to pay him back.

“John, since you asked me a question, can I ask you one?” I look at him intently. “Of course, you can ask me anything,” he replies. “Akira and I aren’t sensing that you’re a shifter. Are you a warlock?” His smile grows big again. “Yes, you are correct,” he replies.

“That’s amazing. May I ask how old you are?” I ask. “I’m 16,” he replies. “How old are you?” He asks. “I’m 14,” I shyly state. “Oh wow, that’s young to shift.” I nod Yes, back at him. “I’m happy that we are close in age,” he states. “Me, too. I replied.

“All right, you two,” Selene exclaims. “I don’t think I have ever introduced a fated mate pair in a meeting. I think it will be beneficial for you two. I need to get you both back before your families become too worried, or in your case, John realizes That you’re not conscious.”

“Quickly, before you go, Akira, I must explain why you shifted early. Others will be coming soon. They are drawn to you. To protect you and your newfound family. I need to bestow your first gift upon you.”

“To be strong enough to wield this gift, you needed Akira's help.” I look at Selene with wide eyes. “What is the gift you’re giving me?” I asked Selene. “You are the shield.” “I’ve never heard of that gift before,” I state, confused. Selene then explains that it hasn’t been used in centuries. It’s a gift that is rarely given because you must be pure of heart to wield it. It’s one that I can’t even bestow on my own, and it takes two Gods in understanding and agreement to gift. I’m sure my eyes get even wider as she explains.

The next thing I know, I see a beautiful woman approaching with long, black hair, but she is shorter than I am. “Hello, my dear. I am Hecate, and thank you for the compliment.”

Oh my gosh, she can hear my thoughts. I panic. Hecate starts laughing. “Yes, my dear, in this realm, gods and goddesses can listen to your thoughts. While my sister Goddess here, Selene, has been keeping a close eye on you, I have been keeping a close eye on John. We agree that you and John are the perfect half of each other’s souls.” That makes me smile big and look back over at John. He has the same look on his face as I do.

“OK, my dear, we need to move this along,” Selene states. Suddenly, she and Hecate step forward, one on each side. As Selene places a hand over my heart, Hecate places a hand on my forehead. Then, I felt that warm heat again passing through my body.

Before I have a chance to panic, Akira tells me to stay calm. In mere seconds, they both stand back with smiles on their faces. I still feel a warmth flowing through me in every part of my body, but it doesn’t feel hot anymore. I look back and forth between Selene and Hecate.

“How do I use this, and what is its purpose?” I asked them. “Good questions,” Hecate replies. “The gift of the shield is based on intent and is used to protect. You, my dear, will fill a great destiny. Don’t worry about what that means. To use it, you focus on the intent you need. For example, if you want to protect that bench you were sitting on, walk over and place your hand on it. Concentrate on what you want to happen and push your aura forward,” she explained.

I look over to the bench and think about what she just said. Walking over, I place my left hand on it, close my eyes, and think, shield it; don't let anyone touch or harm it. When I open my eyes and stand up, it has a slight glow. It’s not bright. It's soft, like what a night light would put out. I look over to John and ask him to touch or kick it. He smiles, walks over to it, lifts his leg, and tries to kick the bench. He hits a barrier.

Hectic then reminds me that when I cast the shield on the bench, I said neither to touch nor harm it. She then asked me to change the intent to harm it but allow people to touch it. I do as she says.

After I’m finished, I back away and ask John if he will touch it. He does. I turned back to Hecate and Selene and asked, “What would happen if he would try to harm it?” “The shield would block him,” she replies.

“So,” Hectate drawls out. “Do you understand how your gift of shielding works?” Yes,” I reply. Selene grabs my attention by stating, “Remember, my dear, be specific and make your intentions clear.” I straighten my spine and firmly say, “I will,” smiling at both of them and looking back at John.

“I look forward to meeting you again.” I give him a gentle smile. He returns the smile and states, “I look forward to seeing you again, too.”

I walk over and give both Selene and Hecate a hug and thank them. Selene looks down at me seriously again and says, “Remember, my dear girl, trust in Akira’s judgment. You will soon learn to trust your judgment by learning from her.” I c**k my head to the side and ask her, “Did you give me this to protect our homes since they will come?”

She and Hecate look at each other and smile big. “Yes, that is one of the many reasons you need it. The home you and your newfound family have created is not just a sanctuary to you, but it will be for many. Now, you cannot only protect your home but the land surrounding it. Have you thought of a name for this new sanctuary?” Selene asked.

I looked down at my feet, deep in thought. Akira chimes in my head. “Don’t you think the perfect name would be Haven?” She asked. “Oh my gosh, perfect, Akira.”

I look up, and both Selene and Hecate are smiling at me. I smile back and say, “It will be Haven.” I heard John mumble the name under his breath, and a slow smile took his lips.

The next thing I know, I wake up in bed with my mother sitting beside me. What is up with those goddesses? They are just throwing me back and forth between realms. No warning at all. I can hear Akira laughing in my head.