Please note that this story contains consensual sexual contact between an adult woman and a teenaged girl. You have been duly warned.

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It wasn't the right time yet. The waning moon still showed a sliver of light on its left hand side. Maybe tomorrow. Still, Alexa decided to wait until midnight, in case the light did fade.

Just like the night before, there was no wind, not even the tiniest breeze to rustle the leaves or stir the waters of the pond. Tonight would have been perfect if only the stubborn moon hadn't persisted; the tiniest of winks of light, as if to test Alexa's patience to its breaking point.

She sighed, frustatedly running a hand through her long brown hair. This was the last chance of the year. Next month it would be too cold to dive into the water. If she failed yet again, she would have to wait until spring.

It had been so easy the first time she did it. She had stepped into the water at midnight, and the dark moon had granted her wish. Only until dawn, but still...

...it had been magical.

Alexa blinked, and her body twitched. She had almost fallen asleep, thinking about that night. It had been six years ago, yet the memory was as clear to her mind's eye as if it had happened yesterday. She longed for it to happen again, to once more get to experience that perfect sensation of love. Of belonging. Of pleasure.

Every time she had tried, though, something had been wrong. Too much wind, too many clouds, too many noises, too many distractions. What had seemed so simple had proved frustratingly complex. And only one night every month to get it right. Alexa glanced down at her watch where it lay on top of her discarded clothes. It was half past midnight.

So she had dozed off, or at least been too wrapped up in the past to notice the passing of time. No matter. The moon still showed too much light. With a sigh, she stood up, her legs and her back cramping slightly after sitting still for too long. As she pulled up her panties, she felt yet another twinge; the bare rock had left an imprint on her bare butt. She must remember to bring a blanket or something tomorrow.

Despite her sombre mood, she couldn't hold back a snicker. Last time her buttocks had been this sore had been when she was five. She remembered standing facing the corner in her room, tears running down her cheeks while she rubbed her freshly spanked behind. At the time it had seemed monstrously unfair. How could little Alexa possibly have known that her ball would bounce out of her hands and knock over mommy's favourite vase?

It had been the last time she had played soccer indoors.

Mature and wise present day Alexa held little sympathy for her younger self. Stupid decisions deserve stinging consequences.

Well, if she were to be perfectly honest with herself, mature was a relative concept. She was twenty-one now. An adult, for sure, but maybe the wisdom honed by age and experience still lay in her future. After all, she did believe in wishing upon the dark moon.

Part of her knew it was true, that stepping into the water to break the mirror image of the moon's reflection would invoke its magic. And grant her deepest desire. It had worked, hadn't it?

In the back of her mind, Alexa felt the teeth of doubt worry away at her conviction. Had it really been magic? She knew she hadn't dreamt what happened that night; it had been too real, every sensation too strong, every emotion too vivid. Every moan and cry that shattered the stillness too clear in her mind.

Yet...

What if there were a simpler explanation? What if someone had just happened by, heard a young girl speak her wish to the dark moon and decided to exploit it? To use her? In regard to the experience itself, it didn't really matter. What happened had been wonderful, something Alexa would always carry with her and treasure. But if there had been no magic, then it couldn't happen again.

Maybe that was why she had always failed to recreate that night. That bliss. What if the fault lay not in the execution of the ritual, but in the science fact that the moon was just a piece of rock lit by sunlight?

Reminiscing and brooding had brought her home. Her feet had guided her even though her mind had been six years ago. The house was dark, and she unlocked the back door as quietly as she could. Alexa might be twenty-one, but that didn't mean that mom wouldn't chastise her for staying out late on her own. Also, sneaking in was more fun.

She briefly debated the pros and cons of a hot shower, but bed won with a jaw-popping yawn. Tossing off her clothes, she slid in between the sheets, but not before checking her buttocks, which were still a bit red.

Sleep eluded Alexa, though. Thinking about that night had awakened parts of her body that were not ready to settle down again without some tender, loving care. It was more than just an itch to be scratched, it was an ember than needed quenching before even her deepest places caught fire. Closing her eyes, twenty-one-year-old Alexa allowed herself to become fifteen-year-old Alexa, as she recalled every memory, every detail of that night.

With one hand she cupped her breast, gently teasing the nipple, while the other hand rubbed the inside of her thigh, slowly working its way up to her waiting sex.

* * * * * *

There was no author's name in the book, just a title; Nature's Intrinsic Magic. Alexa bought it for a pittance at a flea market, thinking it was some kind of fantasy novel. It wasn't. At first, she was disappointed, but when she started turning the pages she found things more exciting than fairy tales. Rites, spells, invocations, all guaranteed to work. For real.

There were words Alexa didn't know, and many phrases and sentences that simply made no sense to her, but then she came across a chapter called Wish Upon the Dark Moon. It spoke of granting your deepest, secretest wish, and it seemed really easy to perform.

Checking her calendar, young Alexa found that the next dark moon, that one night when the moon was neither waning nor waxing, was just a week away. She thought long and hard about what to ask the moon. To wish for things like clothes or books or a car or other mere stuff seemed pitiful. There must be something else, something more, something she couldn't get on her own.

After some time, her thoughts turned to love. There were a couple of boys at school she fancied, but none she could honestly say she loved. Or even wanted to touch or kiss. At fifteen, she had begun her journey from child to woman, but she still had quite some way to go before reaching her destination. She knew she wasn't all-the-way mature for her age, neither physically nor mentally. Far from stupid, but she often let her heart lead the way instead of her head, let emotions take charge over rational thoughts. Not always to the best results.

She longed to be an adult, to be responsible and mature, yet at the same time adulthood sometimes scared her. Yes, she was growing up, but often she didn't even know what the feelings were that had begun to stir inside her.

All she knew was that she longed for a special something. A kind of love deeper than that for her mom, for her friends, or for the usual teen idols.

When the right night finally arrived, she knew exactly where to go and what to do. She was a good student, and had memorised the entire Dark Moon chapter. So she sneaked out, flashlight in hand, and dashed into the woods behind her house.

The pond lay just a short walk away, and was just what she needed; a place where she could see the moon's reflection in the water. As midnight drew near, she took off all her clothes, blushing at the thought that someone might be out walking their dog or night-jogging or something, and would see her. All naked.

It was a perfect night, still and quiet, lit only by stars and with the moon nothing more than a barely-there darkly grayish orb blocking out a few stars. At precisely midnight, Alexa emptied her mind except for her truest desire. She wanted someone who could love her, who could touch those new stirrings and feelings inside her and bring them out. With the wish strong and clear to her mind's eye, she stepped into the water and broke the moon's reflection.

"Please grant me my wish, goddess Moon," she said in as clear a voice as she could manage while shivering from the cold water. "Show me the one who will love me as I am."

Then she dived through the broken reflection, and held her breath for as long as she could. When she surfaced, gulping down a lungful of air, she turned around and swam back to where her feet could reach the bottom again. She stood up, and gasped.

A lone figure sat on a beach towel, laid out on the rocky ground leading to the water. A naked figure, dripping with water, hunched over, face in hands. Alexa heard a sob, and as she gingerly stepped closer she saw that it was a woman. That was unexpected. She had thought she would meet a boy. An older boy, perhaps, the ones in her class were so childish and immature. But this was a grown woman. A crying woman.

She looked up, and their eyes met. Brown eyes, just like Alexa's own. In the starlight, Alexa couldn't make out much of the woman's face, but she could see tears glistening down her cheeks. Her hair was longer than Alexa's, almost reaching her bare breasts. The woman sobbed once more, but then she broke into a smile.

"Oh wow, you're pretty!" Alexa blurted out before she could stop herself. She stumbled out of the water, almost tripping over her own feet. "I mean... uh... Hello."

"Hello there." The woman had a pleasant voice, gentle and sweet. Alexa found herself trusting her instinctively. "I know who you are. You see, I'm the one the moon has sent here to love you, Alexa."

"R-really?" Alexa felt her heart beating faster, and her body suddenly felt tingly and warm despite the cool night air and the cold water still dripping down her bare skin. "You mean it... it worked?"

"Yes. You made your wish to the dark moon, and now I'm here. For as long as the night lasts."

"I thought... I wasn't expecting a... a woman." Alexa felt her cheeks burn. "I mean..."

"I know what you mean, Alexa, but it's all right. Trust me, I'm the one you need." She sat up straight, and patted the ground beside her. "Please, come and sit with me."

Alexa took a hesitant step forward, then another. She was still reeling slightly. Her love was a woman! Not once in her life had she thought about girls or women that way, yet here... now... the feelings inside her were growing, heating her up in a pleasant way that made her mind seem hazy.

Her feet helped her move while her head was too busy, and soon she sat down next to the woman. Suddenly, Alexa was acutely aware of her nakedness, and she wanted to hurry up and get dressed. But why? What was the point? She had come here to be loved, to be... well, she didn't exactly know what. Was sex really what she wanted? In that case, it was only natural to be naked, right?

The woman made no attempt to hide herself. Instead she leaned back, smiling in a reassuring yet enticing way that made Alexa's head swoon. Her gaze left that smile and travelled downwards to the woman's bare chest. Her breasts weren't large, just a little more than a handful. That thought made Alexa's cheeks burn, while her breathing started to become ragged. Then she looked down further...

Her eyes had grown accustomed to the dim light by now, and she could clearly see a patch of hazel hair just where the woman's thighs met, matching the hair on her head. Slightly darker that Alexa's own light brown hair. Before she knew what she was doing, Alexa reached out with a trembling hand, but she stopped herself before she made contact. She blinked a couple of times, then her eyes met the woman's again.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I..."

"It's okay, Alexa. I'm here for you. You may touch me if you want."

"I've never..." Alexa had to bite her lip to keep her voice from cracking. "I've never even... Are you sure you want me to?"

"Yes." She smiled again, and this time Alexa smiled back. "In fact, I'd like it if you touched me."

"Wow." Alexa reached out again, and rubbed a finger against the woman's upper arm. When she spoke again, it came out as a whisper. "What's your name?"

"Call me Luna."

"Luna. My gift from the moon?"

"Yup."

They both smiled again, and this time Alexa couldn't help but giggle. Luna joined in, and laughter broke the tension between them. Alexa's finger was joined by her whole hand, and she moved it until she brushed against the softness of a breast. Luna sighed, then leaned over to kiss Alexa's cheek. Her lips felt warm, and they remained, as if waiting for something.

Waiting for Alexa.

This was the time for Alexa to make up her mind. Or, maybe just to realise that she had already decided. She wanted to do this. Wanted to do it with Luna. She really needed that kiss.

Alexa let out a shuddering breath, then turned so that their lips could meet. The first kiss was just a light peck, but the next one lingered. The third came with the feather-light touch of tongue, which Alexa returned. She knew about French kissing, but she had always found the thought of letting a boy's tongue into her mouth kind of gross. This, though, was as far from gross as never was from always.

Shivers ran through Alexa as Luna's tongue pressed against hers, and she moaned with delight. Her hand was now cupping the woman's breast, feeling the nub of the nipple against her palm. She squeezed it gently with her fingers, just the way that felt so good whenever she was play-touching herself. This time, the moan was Luna's. So she was feeling good as well. Alexa's confidence grew, and she began to push back with her tongue.

The kiss went on and on, and slowly Luna started to lean back. Alexa followed, eager to keep the contact, and soon she was leaning against the woman, still fondling her breast. New sensations. Luna's hand stroked the outside of Alexa's thigh, up and up until it cupped her buttock. A light squeeze, fingers brushing deeper, almost touching...

"Aah!"

Alexa's concentration broke, and she fell out of synch with Luna's tongue. Their kisses went wide, lips brushing against cheeks, chins, ears, necks, anywhere they could reach while searching for each other. Luna rolled slightly away from Alexa, lifting her by the butt until she lay fully on top. They found their kiss again, and now both their hands were free. Luna held on to Alexa's buttock while her other hand rubbed her back, while Alexa's free hand reached up to touch the woman's cheek with the tips of her fingers.

Deep within her, something seemed to swell, almost like a tidal wave building up to drag her under and drown her. Pulled by the moon. The thought almost made her laugh, and she lost her focus again. She let go of Luna's breast, and instead lowered herself so that their chests could touch completely. Luna's nipples were hard, and they rubbed against Alexa's own still budding breasts, teasing her ever closer to the oncoming spring flood.

She was breathing hard now. Short, high-pitched moans fled her lips as she pushed her tongue as deep as she could into Luna's mouth. Then the hand on her butt squeezed again, pressing her down until she felt soft hair tickle against her own wispy down. The wave inside her crested, and she pushed her hands down on the sides of Luna's head and leaned back, crying out into the night.

When the waves finally subsided, and her racing heart slowed down to a trot, she lay down on top of Luna, chest to chest, cheek to cheek. Luna held her, rubbed her back gently and whispered into her ear.

"That's it, sweetie. Easy does it. I'm here to hold you."

Alexa felt drowsy, but she couldn't allow herself to go to sleep. Not yet. There was still more she wanted to learn, more she wanted to feel. First of all, she needed to make Luna feel just as good as she had. She knew about orgasms, coming, climaxing, both from listening in on older girls and from a slightly bewildering Talk from mom a few years ago, but now she realised that she had only known the words themselves. Not what they meant, nor how they felt. Until this moment.

Now she KNEW, and now she needed to give.

She rolled to her left, sliding off of Luna to lie on her side right next to the woman. Her right hand reached out, and her fingers started drawing tiny circles on Luna's belly. Their eyes met, and Luna answered the unspoken question with a nod. Smiling happily, Alexa widened the circles until she rubbed Luna's breasts, teasing the still hard nipples with each pass. They kissed, and a moan gave Alexa enough courage to let her fingers move lower.

Soon she brushed against hair, abandoning the circles to explore closer, deeper, until she bumped against the root of Luna's hood. The woman drew in a breath and held it for a few seconds, then let out another moan as Alexa went past, seeking her opening. It was warm and soft down there, and wet. Alexa had to break the kiss and move in order to reach properly. Just as her fingers parted the lips that guarded Luna's entrance, her gaze landed on a nipple, just an inch away from her face. Temptation won over shyness, and she stuck out her tongue to touch that pink nub.

"Oh!" Luna cried out, her body tightening. "Alexa, honey, that feels so good. Please don't stop."

"I won't." Her voice was raspy, as if she had been singing in the school choir for hours on end. "I wanna try..."

She closed her lips around the nipple and flicked it with the tip of her tongue while she sucked it. Even though she knew that usually only mothers with babies had milk in their breasts, some part of Alexa's mind was mildly disappointed when nothing came out. All that was immediately forgotten, however, when Luna's moans intensified.

At the same time, Alexa's fingers began exploring. She had often touched herself, rubbing this and prodding that to find out what felt good and what felt even better. Luna's sex was different, even though all the bits were the same, but she responded to the same touches that Alexa used on herself. Soon Alexa was pressing her palm down over Luna's button, while her fingers darted in and out of her opening. Tremors went through the woman's body, and her moans came in huffs between each shallow breath. Before long her body tensed once, twice, then went rigid.

With a wordless groan, Luna finally relaxed and lay breathing rapidly. Remembering her own orgasm and how she had felt just after it, Alexa moved up Luna's body until she could hold her face in her hands. They kissed while Luna came down from her peak, then almost as if on cue, they started laughing.

They were both giddy, giggling and squealing as they kissed again and again, hands going everywhere. Suddenly they moved a bit too far, and they tumbled off the towel and rolled down the rock into the pond. After the heat of their loving, the chilly water made them scream, and they scrambled to get out. Shortly after, though, they went back in, voluntarily this time.

It felt good to cool down. Alexa had been close to coming again, just from the act of bringing pleasure to her lover, and she needed to stop herself from overheating. They played in the water for a while, chasing and splashing and dunking each other, until their laughter slowly began to die away. Instead they moved closer and closer until they fell into an embrace, pressing so tightly together that Alexa could feel Luna's heartbeat against her shoulder.

They stood there for a long while, holding each other and swaying slightly almost as if dancing. Then Alexa looked up, and tilted her head. Luna took the hint, and kissed her. This was a more tender kiss, not as heated and lustful as before. A loving kiss. Alexa enjoyed it every bit as much, if not even more. She wished she could stay in it forever, but that thought brought her at least partway back to reality.

For as long as the night lasts.

She broke the kiss, and took Luna's hand, pulling her back to the beach towel. They sat down, and Alexa leaned her head against Luna's shoulder. She sighed.

"Do you really have to go?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I think you know why, Alexa."

"The moon magic. It only lasts while the moon is up, doesn't it?"

"It does."

"Will you... will you die? Or just disappear?"

"No, Alexa, sweetie. Come here." A sob escaped Alexa, and Luna took her into another hug. A couple of tears ran down her cheeks, but Luna brushed them away with her fingers. "I'm just going back to my home."

"I'll never see you again, will I?"

"Yes, you will." Luna kissed Alexa on the lips, while one hand slid down her back to rest on her butt. "I know you will."

"How can you know?"

"Because I know the moon magic better than you do. Some day you will come back here and dive into the dark moon mirror again. You may have to try a few times, because the magic is kind of fickle, but when it does work I'll be here to greet you."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Just don't give up, even it might seem difficult. Trust me."

"I will." Alexa leaned back from the hug, and they kissed again. "Hey, Luna?"

"Yes?"

"Why were you crying? Back when we met, I mean."

"Because I thought I had missed you. The moon magic sent me to you, but you weren't here."

"But I was!"

"Yes, but you were under the water, remember? I didn't see you at first."

"Oh. I see, I think. Luna?"

"Yes, Alexa?"

"Can we... can we do some more stuff?"

"Sexy stuff?" Alexa nodded, feeling her cheeks burn again. "Sure we can. There's still a couple of hours 'til I have to go. And I know something that will make you feel even better than last time."

"Really? What?"

"I'll show you. If..."

"If what?"

"If you kiss me first."

Alexa laughed, then threw her arms around Luna, pressing their lips together. She licked at the woman's lips until they opened, then thrust her tongue inside. Her aggressiveness only lasted for a couple of minutes, though, because as soon as Luna started taking over, Alexa allowed herself to be led.

She ended up on her back, with Luna above her on hands and knees. They kept kissing for a little while, then Luna began moving her kisses downward. Neck first, then a very ticklish collar bone. She spent some time on Alexa's nipples, kissing and licking and sucking, making her squirm with delight. Then down, further down.

"Don't stop," Alexa whispered. "Please, please don't stop."

Without saying anything, and without removing her lips from Alexa's belly, Luna shifted her position until she lay between her legs. Her tongue ran across Alexa's sparse pubic hair, then honed in on her sex. That first contact made Alexa shudder and moan, and from there it only got better. It was as if every kiss, every lick and every nibble flowed out into her body, filling her from head to toe with tingles and shivers and warmth. Every new sensation brought out a gasp or a groan, or even a surprised yelp when something felt extra good.

She could feel Luna slow down, ease up on the pressure, trying to make it last. Still, the tide rose higher and higher, and Alexa was squirming, almost thrashing about on the beach towel, trying to savour each sensation even as she rushed towards the waves, eager to let them swallow her and take her away.

Then, just as the crest was approaching, Alexa felt warm lips clamp down around her button, and she was gone. If she moaned, or screamed, or just lay there in silence, she had no way of knowing. A riptide tore through her, carrying her so far out to sea that she thought she might never return. Yet eventually, the waves began to die down, and she was able to open her eyes. Luna smiled down at her, her lips glistening wetly in the starlight. Alexa grabbed her around the neck and kissed her fiercely. There was a new, sweet flavour in her mouth, and it took Alexa a moment or two before she realised what it was. She was tasting herself. The thought should have been gross, but the sensation made it delightful.

A new thought formed in her mind. She wanted to try, as well. Needed to. Everything she got, she would give back. As if reading her mind, Luna lay down beside her and spread her legs wide, and Alexa scurried down to lie between them. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Luna fully for the first time. She was pink and glistening wet and spread open, and looked so inviting.

Still feeling slightly nervous, Alexa reached in and licked the outside of Luna's lips, hazel hairs tickling her tongue. Slowly she moved in, touching the wetness, tasting the essence of Luna. It was just as sweet as her own, and feeling emboldened, she probed deeper. Luna squirmed, moaning, and Alexa grabbed her thighs to hold her as still as possible. She reached as far as she could, her own moans now joining Luna's. Giving felt just as good as receiving, although in a different way. Dealing out pleasure was pleasure.

From somewhere far away, she could hear Luna's gasps and moans, and she decided to try a new trick on Luna. She kissed her way around Luna's button, without touching it directly, pausing occasionally to blow at it. Each time she did that, Luna hissed, almost growling. At the same time, Alexa let a finger follow her tongue, creating a dance of double pressure. Double pleasure? Maybe, because the moans grew more and more insistent, impatient. Alexa grinned to herself; this was fun, holding a grown woman on the edge like this. Every time she sensed that Luna was close, she pulled back just a little bit, keeping her in the almost-there.

In the end, though, when there came helpless whimpers among the moans, she took pity. Next time Luna got close to the edge, Alexa took the button between her lips and sucked hard. She even raked her teeth along the hood, careful not to hurt the most sensitive flesh. The effect was immediate. Luna sat up and screamed, louder even than Alexa herself had during her first orgasm. Wetness jetted against her face, splashing her chin and her neck. She moved down a bit, and caught the next splash on her tongue. It tasted just as sweet as that first lick.

Luna fell back onto the beach towel, and Alexa hurried up on her hands and knees. She leaned in close just as Luna opened her eyes.

"Hi!"

"Hi, yourself." They kissed, but then Luna laughed. "Oh, wow."

"Did you like it?"

"That was... ooh, so that's what it's like." Alexa giggled as Luna pretended to faint. "No wonder you're so happy."

"I am happy."

"I know."

Alexa shook her head, not bothering to ask. If Luna was moon magic, then sure, she probably could read minds as well. The two of them splashed out into the pond to wash off and cool down, then they lay down on the towel to let the night air dry them. The dark moon hung low, and the eastern sky was beginning to brighten. It wouldn't be long now. Alexa thought she would feel sad, but Luna had promised her that they would meet again, and she believed it. Morning would not mean the end.

They lay close together, their bodies touching. Occasionally they would kiss, or rub each other with their hands, but there was no need for more sex. Alexa didn't know if she would end up liking boys or girls better, and she didn't care. But she knew one thing for sure. Luna would always have a place in her heart, and when they met again, even if that meeting would be as brief as this one, she would treasure it forever.

She had almost dozed off when Luna got up. A lump formed in Alexa's throat, but she fought back her tears. They hugged, then kissed one final time. No, Alexa corrected herself. Not final. Last for now, but not final. They walked down to the pond, hand in hand, neither willing to let go. At the water's edge, Luna held Alexa back and hugged her.

"You can't come with me into the water this time. I have to go alone."

"Goodbye, Luna. I'll miss you."

"I know, sweetie. I'll miss you, too. But remember, I'll be here when the moon magic decides to work again. And when you see me, you will get to know my real name." She waded out into the pond, the water coming up to her butt, then her waist, then her breasts. "Don't give up on me, Alexa, even if it takes time."

"I won't. I love you."

"Love you too, more than you know." The water reached her chin now. "Don't be scared, now. I'll dive down before the sun comes up, but I won't drown."

"I know. You said so, you're going home."

With that, Luna slipped below the surface. Ripples spread over the pond for a little while, then the water lay blank as a mirror. The moon was down now, and the first sunrays touched the treetops. Alexa waited around for a little while, watching the pond and hoping for a miracle. When nothing happened, she sat down, and finally let the tears come.

* * * * * *

Luna was breathing hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she came down from her orgasm. Remembering that one night with Luna had excited her to no end, and she had come several times before that need inside her was finally satisfied. The last time had been the strongest, and she had had to bite her lip to avoid crying out.

Tonight.

Maybe, just maybe, she would finally get to see Luna again. The longing inside her had turned into an ache, and to have to wait all through winter to try again would be heartbreaking. She had to succeed! Even if was just for one night, she needed to be with Luna one more time. Who knew, after that, maybe she could move on.

Over the years she had tried to go out with other girls, but the thought of performing the dark moon ritual again had kept her from growing attached to someone. Her interest in boys had waned as she finished growing up; she knew that, if she were ever to have someone permanent in her life, it would be a woman. But first she had to see Luna again. For closure.

As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered if Luna would recognise her, but she immediately dismissed the thought. Of course she would. She had promised, hadn't she? Luna was moon magic, she would recognise the woman Alexa had become.

But what about Luna herself? Would she have aged? For an adult, six years wasn't really that long, but who how much time had passed on the other side of the dark moon mirror. Not that it mattered, anyway. Alexa would love her no matter what. Her only regret was that she would never see Luna in daylight, only by night, only during the dark moon.

Her sleep was troubled. At some point she dreamt about performing the ritual flawlessly, with no result. She dreamt that she grew old, sitting alone by the pond as year after year, decade after decade, passed by. As life passed her by. Always waiting for that one perfect love that never returned. In the end she woke up close to tears, still tired but afraid to sleep more.

It was noon when she got up, and even though she yawned from time to time, she spent a normal, happy day with her mother. They went for a walk together in the afternoon, talking about this and that as usual, as if nothing otherworldly was on Alexa's mind. It was easier during the day, when there was no moon to tempt her and mock her.

Once her mother had gone to bed, Alexa took a shower, then got dressed and hurried to the door. At the last minute she remembered to bring a blanket, but the only thing she could find without going back upstairs was an old towel. It would have to do. She sneaked out and locked the door behind her, then walked briskly towards the pond.

It was half past eleven when Alexa sat down on her towel to wait, and the moon was already well up. Perfectly dark. The sky was clear and there was no wind to disturb the water. The night was so quiet that she could hear her heart beat, more rapidly than usual. This was the night, she just knew it. This was the night she would finally meet her lover again.

She was nervous, so much so that when she finally started taking her clothes off, she was trembling. If it didn't work tonight...

No! No negative thoughts! She needed focus, needed to set her mind on Luna, to send her deepest desire to the dark moon. At the strike of midnight, Alexa waded into the pond and broke the water mirror. Her mind was clear and her voice steady as she stared up at the dark moon.

"Please grant me my wish, goddess Moon. Show me the one who will love me as I am."

Then she dived, and swam as deep as she could. Her heart was pounding, yet she kept her thoughts clear and focused on Luna and only Luna. When she couldn't hold her breath any longer she broke the surface and looked around. Nothing.

The pond was empty.

A strangled cry escaped her lips, and her breath caught in her throat as she swam ashore. Part of her wanted to stay in the pond, to let herself sink down and leave the heartbreak behind. But Luna wouldn't have wanted that. She had shown Alexa how to love and be loved, and she couldn't throw that away. But damn, did it hurt. Alexa sat down on her towel just as she started crying.

The splashing didn't really register at first, but when it came closer, then stopped, Alexa looked up. And saw Luna looking back at her, concern in her deep brown eyes. Only, it wasn't Luna. She looked like Luna, but there were clear differences from the woman Alexa remembered. She seemed younger.

Younger...

Suddenly, she knew. Knew why Luna had been so sure that they would meet again. Why she had said Alexa would get to know her real name. With one last sob, she quelled her crying. She knew exactly what would happen next, and a smile spread across her face.

"Oh wow, you're pretty!" the girl said, stumbling out of the water, and Alexa felt her heart beat faster. "I mean... uh... Hello."

This was it, the moon's trick to show Alexa how to love and be loved. And also to find the closure she needed. Devious. Brilliant, but devious. Her head felt light as she looked into the girl's eyes again, keeping her voice calm and steady as she answered.

"Hello there. I know who you are. You see, I'm the one the moon has sent here to love you, Alexa."