A/N: And we're back for another exciting chapter! I hope you enjoyed the Q&A interview with Darius, I had a lot of fun writing it. I have left out some words in the language key as it will give away the chapter, however the translations are in the text. Please leave any questions, feedback or love in the comments! Enjoy the chapter, little Bees 🐝 

Catijan Language Key:

M've [mm-vay]- my

Sesti [Sehs-tee] - Little one

De'mujo [Deh-moo-zhoh] Demon 

Litani [Lee-tah-née] Keeper of my heart (female) 

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I'm walking through the forest to see Kala and her cubs, I haven't seen them in a while. Darius is with me and I can feel our bond. When did we do that? 

We climbed up the hill behind my house and made our way into the bear's cave. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart thumped hard in my chest as my screams echoed against the walls.

The usual crystal clear pool is red with Kala and the cubs' lifeless bodies drifting in the water. I start to run for them but I froze. I can't feel Darius anymore. I can't feel our bond! The hairs on the back of my neck rise feeling the presence of a very strong de'mujo.

"Looking for this Jazmine?" I hear the deep grumble of the monster behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as I slowly turned around to find Sol standing in front of me. His crimson eyes gleaming in satisfaction as he held Darius' blood drenched body in his enormous arms.

I shrieked in pain as my heart and soul shattered. Anger and vengeance coursed through me, my incisors elongated into fangs, my nails formed into razor sharp claws and the unquenchable thirst for blood rush through my veins.

"Yes, feel it. Feel the pain, feel the need, m've sesti, my little one. Don't hide who you are." He laughed holding Darius to me. I want to drink his blood; I need it to stop the pain building in my chest. I bent my head to taste his sweet Mercatijan nectar.

No Jazmine! This is not who you are. Do not let him fool you. You are more than this. Gaia's voice snapped inside my mind and I jumped back from Darius' body. My teeth shrinking back to their normal size and my claws returning to fingernails.

"You cannot fight it Jazmine, my de'mujos have tasted your blood. I will find you." Sol laughed as I jumped out of my sleep, my heart nearly beating out of my chest. I sat up taking a deep breath and wiping the sweat off my brow with shaking hands. Tears pooled in my eyes realising Sol knows where I am.

Jazmine, what's the matter? Darius' concerned voice floated through my mind as I pulled my knees to my chest and cried. Why did I dream that Darius was murdered by Sol and I wanted to drink his blood? Do I belong to Sol because I'm a de'mujo too?

Jazmine, you're scaring me. Why are you blocking me from your thoughts?

Sol knows where I am. He's coming for me. I'm a monster. I said clenching my eyes shut trying to get the dream out of my mind. I don't want Darius to see the monster I was becoming.

I'm coming over. Before I could protest Darius was sliding through my bedroom window, his hair and clothes were disheveled as if he had just woken up. I would laugh but the concern and worry in his eyes made tears pool in my eyes again.

"Jaz, what happened in your dream?" He asked sitting next to me.

"I'm a monster, I was a...a de'mujo and I wanted to drink your blood." I cried as he pulled me into his arms rubbing my back.

"Jazmine you're not a monster, I don't care what you saw in your dream." He said kissing my forehead.

"But it felt so real and I knew where we were. We were in Kala's cave, Sol said his de'mujos have tasted my blood and he is coming for me." I shuddered clenching my eyes shut at the thought. What does he want with me? I felt Darius tense up holding me even tighter, I can feel his worry washing over me.

"We can't stay here anymore, Jazmine." Darius whispered kissing my head as tears roll down my cheeks.

"I know, but I don't want to leave my family." I said and began to cry, I know he's right, I know we can't stay but how can I leave the only family I've ever known?

"I know litani, I know this is hard but we can't put them in danger, especially not with Vienne about to have the twins. It doesn't have to be forever, just until we figure out why Sol is hunting you."

We will figure this out Jazmine. I'm sorry we have to leave your family but I have to protect you. I don't know what Sol wants from you. He said again reassuring me in my mind.

"You're right," I sighed nodding to stop my tears from falling, "but where will we go?"

"The safest place for you is my family's compound. My parents will be able to help us and I'll get my brothers to help protect you. Sol might come for you there but it will take him longer to find you and we will be prepared if he does." Darius explained and I can't help the tightness I feel in my chest.

"I just don't understand what he wants from me." I cried as he wiped my tears.

"I don't know litani, but I know that I will never let him take you Jazmine. We need to ask Luna and Artemis if they know anything about where you come from before we leave." He said as I nodded wiping my tears, they just won't stop falling.

Everything is going to be alright, Jazmine. Don't be afraid. He said kissing my head again and we both jumped at the scream coming from downstairs.

"Jazmine!!" The voice screamed in agony.

"That's Vienne!" I said scrambling off the bed my heart is in my throat as we ran downstairs to her.

We ran into the living room to find Vienne screaming in pain as she held onto Shane who is trying to get her to the couch. Darius quickly rushed to their aid and helped to sit her down.

"Help her Jaz!" Shane cried trying to pry her nails from her arm.

I rushed to Vienne's side, letting my healing power flow over her and steal her pain.

"Vienne you have to calm down." I said as she released Shane and Darius.

"Well yeah, now I am." She sighed as I touched her stomach and connected with her two rambunctious boys. They were so eager to come out, I laughed, they were going to be a hassle for them. I made sure they were healthy and knew the way out. They both assured me they did and had the audacity to tell me to hurry up.

"Alright, Vienne, they want to come out, so I need you to push." I told her as she grunted holding on to Shane's hand. I was in awe of the whole entire experience of watching my two nephews being born into the world.

After two long hours they were both nestled in my arms. I made sure there was nothing wrong with them and cleaned them both. They were beautiful little coffee colored baby boys. One had the gift of fire and the other the gift of earth. They had curly caramel colored hair like their mother and hazel eyes like their father. Tears came to my eyes as I handed them to Shane and Vienne.

"They're so beautiful." I said to the happy couple wiping my own tears as our family greeted Knox, the fire wielder and Jaden, the earth wielder.

"Thank you Jazy." Vienne smiled a tearful smile as I smiled and nodded still wiping my tears.

You did very well, evela me. I heard Darius' proud thought as he wrapped his arms around my waist kissing my neck. I looked up at him tears still flowing down my cheeks.

Thank you. I smiled as he wiped my tears. This is a nice distraction from the fact that I have to leave my family.

We stayed with my family while Vienne and Shane rested with their children. I'm going to miss them so much. Darius is watching me from across the room and gave me a sad smile nodding his head. I sighed looking at my parents, they look so happy how can I ruin it by telling them I need to know the truth and that I'm leaving?

"Jazmine are you alright? You've been wringing your hands all afternoon." Luna sighed touching my hands to stop me.

"I know, I just...can Darius and I talk to you and Dad...in private?" I asked as she slowly nodded I feel like she already knows.

"Yes, let's go out in the garden." She smiled as we followed her out the back door into the semi covered garden. There was a small wrought iron table with four chairs situated near the back of our home but secluded by hedges.

"So what do you two want to talk about?" Artemis asked as we sat down and I sighed.

"Am I adopted?" I asked.

"No honey we told you -

"Please, Dad, I need to know the truth." I said as my mother sighed taking my father's hand.

"Yes, honey you are. We didn't want to tell you because we didn't want you to feel as if we didn't love you or you weren't apart of this family, because no matter what you'll always be our daughter." My father said taking my hand and squeezing.

"Thank you but do you know who my parents are? Why did they give me away?" I asked as they looked at each other.

"We don't know. We found you on one of our trips to Egypt. We were wading through the Nile and you came floating down the river in a basket."

"She was just floating down the river? Nothing to say where she came from?" Darius asked.

"There is one thing; there was a note that was left with you." My mother said getting up and going inside and quickly coming back with a tattered note handing it to me.

"That was the only thing left with you. We kept it, knowing one day you'd want to know the truth." My father said as I unfolded the note.

-Please take care of our daughter. Her name is Jazmine Felani. She is Ja'nua and must be hidden from the de'mujos. You must protect her at all costs.-

And that was it. No signature no nothing. Well at least I know I'm Egyptian and my last name is Felani but still no clues as to why Sol is hunting me or my connection to Gaia. What does it mean that I am 'Ja'nua'?

We're still no closer to knowing anything only that I'm adopted and I'm Ja'nua, whatever that means. I sighed as Darius took my hand, kissing it softly.

We also know that you're someone of great importance. Darius said and I frowned.

"What do you mean?" I asked aloud.

"In Catijan Ja'nua means the one." He explained and I frowned.

"Well what does that mean?" I sighed.

"There is a prophecy about Ja'nua I can't remember everything about it but I think it's why Sol is hunting you and now he knows where you are. We need to go to the compound, Jazmine." Darius said as my parents looked at us in confusion.

"What do you mean Sol knows where you are?" My mother asked and I can feel heat pouring off of her as if she's ready to fight. Artemis put a hand on her arm to calm her.

"We always knew this day would come, we've protected her for as long as we can Luna. It was only a matter of time before Sol found her." Artemis sighed.

"Did you know Sol was going to hunt me?" I asked.

"No, but we had a feeling. The Ja'nua prophecy tells the story of a Mercatija, a woman, who was born out of all the good and all the bad in the world to defeat the ultimate evil that plagues the world. Sol is that plague and if you are truly Ja'nua you are the one who will stop him." Luna explained as my heart began to race I am not someone who is going to defeat Sol. I am not Ja'nua, I can't be. I'm...I'm no one. I'm just an author!

And the most powerful Mercatijan woman I have ever met.

Darius...I can't do this. I can't be Ja'nua. I said as a small buzzing began to fill my head and muffled everyone's voices. I started to feel nauseous, which is an unnatural feeling for a healer.

Jazy, are you alright? Darius asked only making the buzzing hurt even more.

"No, stop talking in my head. I just feel sick all of a sudden." I said starting to stand but the ground went off kilter and I sat back down again feeling as though I'm going to vomit.

"Jaz are you okay?" Luna asked concern dripping in her voice as she reached out to touch my arm.

"I need to lie down; I'm going to be sick." I mumbled as Darius knelt in front of me and my father came rushing to the other side of the table. Darius was feeling my neck and checking my arms all the places where I was bit by the de'mujos, while my dad told me to keep my head between my legs.

"Here Jaz, here's a bucket if you need to— my mother couldn't get the words out fast enough or set the bucket down fast enough before I was hurling into it.

"Darius, you need to take her to your compound, now. I don't know what this is; I'm not sure why she's getting sick. Healers don't get sick." Artemis said as I hurled into the bucket again.

"No, I have to say goodbye to everyone." I cried as I continued to vomit into the bucket.

"Shh, Jazy, don't worry about us. We have to keep you safe. Everyone will understand. You need to go now, we can't help you anymore." Luna said kissing my head.

Darius please don't make me go yet. I said feeling tears roll down my cheeks. It hurts so much to throw up.

I'm sorry, litani; I have to keep you safe. I have to get you to the compound. I'm going to make you faint right now don't be afraid. He said as I shook my head in protest.

No, no Darius. I have to say goodbye! He ignored my pleas and placed a glowing hand to my forehead and the buzzing and nauseous disappeared.

I'm walking through the forest again barefoot in a long silky white gown as if I am being summoned this time. I'm not sure where I'm going but my body knows the way as if I'm in some kind of trance.

I went further in passed Kala's cave and where I was attacked to a circular formation of stones. I stopped in the middle and de'mujos inched out of the trees into the clearing towards me. I can feel my heart racing as they approach me but I know they aren't going to hurt me. They knelt before me creating a path. Sol came striding through it with dark gleaming ruby red eyes. His lips curled into a devilish grin chuckling, taking my chin in his hand.

"M've elaeti, my daughter." He grinned.

"Faelune, father." I whispered he beamed tilting my head to the side and proceeded to bite me.

I was screaming in my mind at the thought of Sol as my father. I tried to fight him but his jaws were tight on my neck, infecting me, turning me into a de'mujo! My eyes rolled to the back of my head. I fainted to the forest floor, my blood draining into the ground.

I gasped shooting up from the bed sweat dripping off my forehead. I shook Darius awake. I shook him again, harder wondering why he is sleeping so hard. He rolled over and his face was sunken in, his skin was so pale and jaundice my hands shook knowing he is dead but how? I looked down at my white gown and let out a blood curdling scream at the blood staining my front.

I shot up from the bed screaming and crying. I choked and coughed leaning over the side of the bed to vomit. I threw off the blankets, I need to find Darius he can't be dead. I didn't kill him...did I?

"Darius!" I screamed falling to my knees while a wave of dizziness and nausea hit me suddenly. I wrapped my arms around me to keep from shaking as I lay on the floor. I killed him.

Darius burst through the bedroom door wrapping me in a blanket and scooping me up from the floor. He held me in his arms, wiping the sweat from my brow as I shivered in his arms.

"You're getting worse." He said continuing to wipe my sweat-covered forehead with a cold cloth.

"You're alive, you're alive." I whispered through my chattering teeth.

"Of course I'm alive." He sighed kissing my forehead I pushed him away to vomit into the bucket, he sighed wrapping the blanket around me again, he was starting to say something but I drifted back out of consciousness again.

"I don't know what to do for her; she's been like this since yesterday." I heard Darius sighed as he ran his fingers through my hair. I tried to push myself out of sleep but I was too groggy to get out of the fog.

"Are you sure she doesn't have any parasites in her?" I heard Byron ask.

"Amerie and Samaria didn't find any."

"Darius this looks like The Change." Meilyn sighed.

I told you I'm a monster. I whispered weakly in my mind. I heard Darius chuckle leaning down to kiss my ear.

You're not a monster. We're going to figure this out, litani. I slid my hand in his, squeezing it tight and it wasn't long before I was slipping out of consciousness again. 

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A/N: WELL! That was pretty intense. Is Jazmine really a de'mujo?!!!!  Stay tuned next week to find out 😁 

Thanks so so much for reading 🥰🐝