"Is that it?" I stir my cappuccino, wondering why I even bothered to order it from the cartoon like garcon with the curlicue mustache, white shirt, and black vest, since it's not like I have any intention of drinking it.
She sighs, turning to look at me when she says, "Ever, can't you just relax and enjoy the view? When was the last time you were in Paris anyway?"
"Never," I say, rolling my eyes in a way she can't miss. "I've never been to Paris. And I hate to break it to you, Ava, but this—" I take a moment to gesture around, pointing at the Louvre, which is placed right next to Printemps department store, which is next to the Musee d'Orsay, "—is not Paris. This is like some cranked up Disney version of Paris. Like, you've taken a pile of travel brochures and French postcards, and scenes from that adorable cartoon movie Ratatouille, mixed them all together and voila, created this. I mean, did you see the waiter? Did you notice how his tray kept tipping and twirling but never once fell? I doubt the real Paris has waiters like that."
But even though I'm acting like the biggest party pooper ever, Ava just laughs. Swinging her wavy auburn hair over her shoulder as she says, "Well, for your information, this is exactly as I remember it. Maybe these monuments weren't all lined up in a row, but it's so much nicer like this. I did attend the Sorbonne you know. In fact, did I ever mention the time when I—"
"That's great, Ava. Really," I say. "And I'd love to hear all about it if I wasn't running out of time! So, what I meant to ask was, what do you know about astrology or astronomy or whatever it is that involves the various moon cycles?"
She breaks off a piece of baguette and butters the side, saying, "Can you be more specific?"
I reach into my pocket and retrieve the folded-up paper I scribbled on right after my vision, squinting ather as I say, "Okay, what exactly is a new moon and when does it occur?"
She blows on her coffee, peering at me when she says, "The new moon occurs when both the sun and moon are in conjunction. Meaning that when you're looking at it from the earth plane, they both seem to occupy the same part of the sky. And because of that, the moon doesn't reflect the light of the sun, which also means it can't be seen because its dark side is facing the earth."
"But what does it mean? Is it symbolic of something?"
She nods, breaking off another piece of baguette when she says, "It's a symbol for new beginnings. You know, rejuvenation, renewal, hope—stuff like that. It'salso a good time to make changes, drop bad habits—or even bad relationships." She gives me a pointed look.
But I just ignore that and move on, knowing she's referring to Damen and me, having no idea that I'm not just planning to end it, I'm planning to erase it. Because as much as I love him, as much as I can't imagine a future without him, I truly believe it's the best thing for everyone. None of this ever should've happened. We never should've happened. It's unnatural, not right, and now it's my job to put it all back.
"So when does that happen in relation to the full moon?" I ask, watching as she covers her mouth when she chews.
"The full moon occurs around two weeks after the new moon. It's when the moon reflects the maximum amount of light from the sun, which, from the earth plane, makes it appear full. When in reality, it's always full since it's not like it goes anywhere. Oh, and as far as symbols go? You want to know that right?" She smiles. "The full moon is all about abundance, completeness, a sort of ripening of things into their full powers. And since the moon's energy is strongest at this point, it's also full of magick power."
I nod, trying to digest everything she just said, and forming the smallest inkling of understanding for whythese phases are so important for my plan. "All the moon's phases are symbolic of something."
Ava shrugs. "The moon plays a powerful role in ancient lore and is said to control the tides. And since our bodies are mostly made up of water, some say it controls us too. Did you know that the word lunatic comes from the Latin word for moon, which is luna? Oh, and don't forget the werewolf legend—it's all about the full moon!"
Inwardly, I roll my eyes. There are no such things as werewolves, vampires, or demons—only immortals,and the immortal rogues who are determined to kill them.
"Can I ask why you're asking all this?" she says, draining the last of her espresso and pushing the cup aside.
"In a minute," I say, my words clipped, terse, far less conversational than hers. But unlike her, I'm not vacationing in Paris, I'm merely tolerating the view to get to the answers I need. "One last thing, what's so special about a full moon during l'heure bleue, or blue hour as it's called?"
She looks at me, her eyes wide, her voice breathless when she says, "Do you mean the blue moon?"
I shrug, remembering how the moon was so blue in the image it practically blended with the sky. Then figuring it was somehow symbolic of an actual blue moon with the way its color pulsated and shimmered, I say, "Yeah. But the blue moon specifically during the blue hour, what do you know about that?"
She takes a deep breath, gazing into the distance as she says, "The mainstream thought is that the second full moon in a month constitutes a blue moon. But there's another, more esoteric school of thought that says the true blue moon occurs when there are two full moons occurring not necessarily within the same month, but within the same astrological sign. It's regarded as a very holy day, one when the connection between the dimensions is very potent, making it an ideal time for meditation, prayer, and mystical journeys. It's said that if you harness the blue moon energy during I'heure bleue, then all sorts of magick can occur. The only limitations, as usual, are your own." She looks at me, wondering what I'm up to, but I'm not ready to share that just yet. Then she shakes her head and says, "But just so you know, a genuine blue moon is very rare, only coming around every three to five years."
My stomach twists as my hands grip the sides of my chair. "And do you know when the next blue moon will occur?" While thinking: Please let it be soon, please let it be soon!
Feeling like I'm about to puke and keel over simultaneously when she shakes her head and says, "I have no idea."
But of course! The most important thing I need to know—is the one thing she doesn't know.
"Though I know how we can find out." She smiles.
I shake my head, just about to inform her that as far as I can tell, my access to the akashic records has just been revoked, when she closes her eyes and a moment later a silver iMac appears.
"Google, anyone?" She laughs, pushing it toward me.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Even though I fell like an idiot the second Ava manifested that laptop (I mean, duh, why didn't I think of that?), we did get our answer fairly quick. Though unfortunately
, it wasn't the good news I was hoping for. In fact, it was anything but. Just when everything was coming together, seeming like it was destined to be—it all fell apart the second I learned that the blue moon, that rarest of full moons that only comes around every three to five years, which also just so happens to be my one and only window for time travel, has its next scheduled appearance—tomorrow.