by Cheree Alsop
“I did,” I admitted.
She exchanged a glance with James.
“Don’t judge me,” I said with a tired smile. “I didn’t have a whole lot to work with. And you should see the other guy, or creature, or pile of bones. I think Professor Shipley’s going to have nightmares for a year.”
Mrs. Willard motioned for me to stand up. “Let me finish patching the other werewolves while you shower. I’ll be able to work on that side better once I can figure out what’s what.” She gave me a worried, motherly look. “Think you can do that?”
I nodded. “Of course. You don’t have to worry about me.”
The fact that she didn’t believe me was obvious when she sent James along. The human made a pretense of checking for towels and setting more shirts and pants in the pile Mrs. Willard kept there for our use. I watched him until he ran out of things to do. It nearly made me laugh to see the way he looked uncomfortably at everything in the bathroom except me.
“You can go,” I told him.
He shook his head. “Mom threatened me with my life if I left you and you fell and hit your head or something.”
I laughed at that. “I’ll be alright. After everything that happened today, I really doubt I’ll die in the shower.”
“You sure?” he asked.
At my nod, he grabbed a few hand towels from beneath the sink.
“These should help scrub the worst of it. Mom won’t care. I’ll throw them in the washing machine when you’re done.”
“Thanks,” I told him, taking the stack.
When the door closed, I twisted the faucet. The warm water stung at first, but as I used the rags James had given me to clean my side, it started to ease the pain away into a comfortable numbness. The red blood turned the water pink in a hypnotic swirl. I saw Ceren’s face, the face of her brother, and heard the grateful cries of her family. I felt the body of the dog I carried off to safety and saw his tail wag when Alia spoke to him. I saw the khavis and the jakhins along with the ghost the bus swerved to avoid. I closed my eyes and remembered the feeling of holding the little boy as the bus careened around us into the bus stop. His mother’s gratitude rung in my ears along with the amazed shouts from the other humans.
The rightness of it all shrouded me in a cloak of comfort. The things I had done may have been little, but they had made a difference. I highly doubted I would find my purpose at Professor Shipley’s college. The few days I had spent there were eventful, but I felt out of place as though no matter how hard I tried, I would never be satisfied going to classes and finding a career in this confusing world.
That left a strange emptiness in the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t sure I could make a big enough difference in Brickwell to make up for the decisions of my past. Saving a toddler and rescuing a ghost and a dog were one thing, but lives had been ruined. There had to be a way to make up for that, I just didn’t know how to find it.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Zev, you alright?” James asked.
I turned off the water. “I’m fine. Be right out.”
“Okay, just wanted to make sure,” the human replied with relief in his voice.
I held one of the rags to my side as I fumbled with a pair of loose pants that weren’t covered from top to bottom in blood. I grabbed another shirt, thought about the logistics of putting it on, and settled for throwing it over my shoulder for after the bandaging. A shudder ran over my skin. Stitches weren’t my favorite by far, but like Alia had said, at least they would keep me alive until nightfall. I opened the door and made my way down the hall.
I found Alia, James, and Mrs. Willard sitting at the table. When I entered the kitchen, I fought back the urge to look behind me to see if their welcoming smiles were for someone else. It was still strange to feel as though people were happy to see me instead of afraid. At the Lair, being one of the top werewolves meant the others saw me as either a threat or someone to be fawned up to for protection. True, pure enjoyment of another’s company didn’t exist. It still took some getting used to in this different world.
“You don’t look half-dead anymore,” Mrs. Willard said by way of a greeting.
“I feel a lot better,” I told her.
Alia motioned for me to use the chair she had pulled out next to the table. “I promised Mom I would take over,” she explained. “She’s a little frazzled from patching up the others.”
Mrs. Willard shot me an apologetic look. “These hands were meant for cooking, not stitching. If I wanted to be a nurse instead of a chef, I would have made a few different life decisions.” She pulled on the apron that hung from the refrigerator door. “As it is, you all look famished. I’m thinking a big pot of chili mac will help with the healing process.”
“Yes!” James exclaimed. He shot me a look. “You should fight paranormal creatures more often.”
I chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Alia sorted through her supplies. The sight of the curved needle, sterilized thread, and bandages made my stomach turn over. I sat where she indicated and kept my gaze averted.
“We’ll get it over as fast as possible,” she said quietly. “I know you’d rather be out there with the others watching the moon come up.”
I glanced down at her understanding tone. Her gaze held mine, her hazel eyes warm. Hers had been the first expression of kindness I had ever seen. I felt the urge to take her in my arms and kiss her the way I had seen in movies. Perhaps then she would know how my heart rose whenever I saw her. Maybe she would leave Mitch and realize that she belonged with me.
She looked away and reached for a set of plastic gloves.
“Mitch was pretty banged up. I’m glad you guys made it back here safely.”
The sound of my friend’s name shattered the longing that had fallen over me like a fist through glass. She didn’t belong to me. Nobody did. She had chosen Mitch and I needed to respect that decision.
I turned my gaze out the window as the bite of the needle tracked fire along my skin. The first light of the rising moon peered through the trees. It held my attention, promising relief, strength, and recovery. I let it lull me into calmness with my fist clenched beneath the table where Alia couldn’t see it, and my muscles at a self-controlled relaxed state.
“Wow,” Alia said a few minutes later. “That was easier than I thought it would be.”
I looked down to see four sets of small stitches lining my side, holding the wound together. Sometime during the process, sweat had broken out across my skin. Relief washed over me with a comforting coolness. I pushed up to my feet and attempted to put the tee shirt on without pulling too hard on the stitches. I stilled when Alia’s gentle hands worked the opening over my head and slid the soft fabric over my arms.
I cleared the tightness from my throat. “Thank you. I’m going to head out,” I told her. “Catch the moonlight for a bit.”
“Maybe in a little while we can go to the hospital?” Alia suggested. “I think it would be good for you to see Ceren in person and have closure. You went through a lot for her.”
I hesitated at the door. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I said even though my heart lifted at the suggestion. “It could be dangerous.”
Chapter Fifteen
A few hours later found Virgo and I walking through the hospital hallways. Talking the others into staying at the Willards’ hadn’t been difficult. Everyone was exhausted and needed to sleep. The realization that I wouldn’t be able to rest until I saw her had eventually driven me to call the warlock. I was almost surprised at how quickly he had accepted.
As we made our way through the long, sterilized corridors, my heart began to race.
“Just remember, if you see her family, run,” the warlock told me in a hushed voice.
I shot him an exasperated look fueled by the tiring day. “You don’t think that’d be a little suspicious?”
“More suspicious than you showing up here after her brother caught you taking her missing poster?”
Virgo shot back.
I had to admit that he was right.
“Maybe we’re making a mistake,” I told him, slowing.
He shook his head. “Nonsense. Let’s go see her. You sacrificed a lot to save her life. It’d be nice for you to see that it was all worth it.”
I didn’t have an argument for that. Maybe if I could see her, the worries that had chased themselves continuously through my thoughts after listening to her dying heartbeat would stop. It was worth the peace of mind if nothing else.
I looked down each hall we passed, expecting some nurse or doctor to chase us out; but it was after regular hospital hours and the skeleton staff appeared to have better things to do than worry about security breaches.
“This way,” Virgo whispered.
I followed him up another hall. The scent of antiseptic stung my nose. The odor of bandages, cleaners, medicine, and plastic made an unpleasant cacophony that cluttered my senses.
“Her room is in there,” he said quietly, pointing. He held up a hand and motioned toward a room on the other side of the hall. “Last time we were here, they had the family wait in there. Her parents said that we were family because we helped to find her.” He gave me a little shrug. “I might not have had a lot to do with it, but it’s nice to be acknowledged once in a while.”
That brought a wry chuckle from me. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Immensely,” he replied.
We peeked into the room across from Ceren’s. The sight of her family sprawled out on the uncomfortable chairs, a couch, and even the floor made my heart twinge. They looked as exhausted as I felt. Ceren’s mother rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. She stirred slightly and we jumped back. When we looked at the sleeping family again, they were still.
“Let’s hurry,” Virgo whispered.
We rushed across the hall and slipped into the darkened room. I stopped short. Virgo ran into my back and nearly bowled me into the nurse who was checking Ceren’s vitals.
She turned in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re, uh…,” Virgo stammered.
“Are you family?” she asked with a suspicious expression. “Because only family can be in here.”
“We’re not family,” Virgo began.
I was about to leave when he grabbed my arm.
“But Zev is the one who found her. Her, uh, family doesn’t, uh, like him, so he couldn’t come see her.”
I stared at the warlock. He elbowed me in the ribs.
I winced and lowered my gaze. “Yeah,” I said quietly.
“Oh, that’s so sad,” the nurse exclaimed. She looked from me and Virgo to the door behind us. “Well, I’m not supposed to do this, but I don’t see the harm in letting you say hi.” She gave me a warm smile. “It’s the least we can do for the one who saved her life.”
Amazed that Virgo’s story had worked, I thanked her.
“I’ll give you five minutes,” she said, excusing herself. She gave me another beaming smile. “And thanks again. By the sound of things, you saved her from something terrible.”
I waited until the door closed before turning back to Virgo. “The family doesn’t like me?”
He held up his hands. “It’s not a lie! Besides, this might be the only chance you’ll get.”
“Chance to what?”
The sound of a very familiar, weak voice made me turn.
“Ceren?” I said.
She looked so small and frail on the stark white bed. Tubes ran into her arms and another went to her nose. Her head wound had been cleaned and bandaged and her leg was suspended in a sling. When her eyes met mine, I didn’t know what to say or do. Her gaze moved between me and Virgo.
“Who…who are you?” she asked.
Virgo shot me an apologetic look. “Just some friends,” he said. “We won’t be long. We just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”
Ceren blinked slowly. It looked as though it took an effort for her just to open her eyes again. “Well, thank you,” she said.
Virgo gave me a little shrug with a sad smile. “I’ll, uh, keep watch,” he told me.
He turned away before I could stop him and slipped out the door.
“Zev.”
My heart skipped a beat. I turned slowly back to Ceren. “Do you remember me?” It was more than I dared to hope for.
She nodded. “I…I….” She let out a breath as though even speaking took more effort than she could spare. When she motioned for me to come closer, I couldn’t refuse her.
“Yes, Ceren?” I whispered.
She shook her head and motioned again. I bent down until I was leaning close enough to smell her lemon and rose scent. The smell made me want to close my eyes and stay there forever.
“Zev.”
Her hand lifted from the bed and touched my cheek. Tears filled her eyes and a smile touched her lips. “Thank you,” she said.
She pulled my face down gently and pressed her lips against mine. I froze, caught off guard by the kiss. Then, as her lips lingered softly on mine, I felt myself kissing her back. My eyes closed and for that brief moment, we were just a girl and boy sharing a kiss earned by pain, by sadness, by laughter, and by surviving together. When she finally settled back, I lifted my head with the knowledge that it was the most innocent, sweet, pure thing I had ever experienced in my life.
“Thank you, Zev,” she whispered. “Thank you so very much.”
I squeezed her hand gently. “Take care of yourself,” I told her.
She nodded as a tear trickled down her cheek. “I will.”
The door opened. “Zev, we’ve got to go,” Virgo whispered loudly.
I turned to leave, but fingers grabbed mine. I looked back down at Ceren.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asked.
Touched that she was worried about me after all she had been through, I nodded. “Definitely.”
She smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Her fingers slid from mine and her eyes closed tiredly.
“Take care of yourself, Ceren,” I whispered. I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You are an amazing person.”
“You are, too,” she whispered back.
When I stepped into the hall, Virgo grabbed my arm and steered me down the closest hallway. I glanced back just in time to see Ceren’s brother leave the room. My breath caught in my throat and I hurried after the warlock.
“I’m sorry she didn’t recognize you,” he said when we were two more halls down and headed toward the exit. “That must have been hard.”
I fought back a smile and said, “I’m just glad to see that she’s alright.”
He patted my shoulder. “That’s the spirit. I’m glad we came.”
“Me, too,” I said.
Virgo’s steps slowed before he reached the door. He looked outside, then glanced back at me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I replied.
“How much do you trust me?”
I studied the warlock, confused by the question. “More than anyone else in this world,” I answered honestly.
“I’m glad you said that,” he replied.
He pulled something out from beneath his jacket. I found myself staring down the barrel of a small gun.
“Virgo, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Remember that trust,” the warlock said. “This is for both of us.”
He squeezed the trigger. Something hit the center of my chest hard enough to knock me back a step. I looked down to see a dart protruding from my shirt.
“Virgo…what….” My voice slurred.
I stumbled against the wall and fought to remain standing.
“I found us a new job,” the warlock said. He shoved the gun behind his waistband.
“Job?” My thoughts were hazy enough that I could only repeat the one word.
Virgo nodded. “A job fighting paranormal demons. You know, the kind you’re good at.” He shook his head at my widening eyes. “Don’t
give me that look. We both need some direction in this world or we’re going to go crazy. You said so yourself.” He ducked under my arm and gave a little wave at a nurse who shot us a questioning glance. “He’s just had too much to drink,” he told her.
“Better get that pretty boy home to bed,” she replied.
“On our way,” Virgo said.
“Gun,” I forced out.
“Oh,” the warlock replied. He pulled open the door. I tried to stop him, but my strength was gone. “It was one of their requirements. Apparently, they’re suspicious of werewolves.”
A black van pulled up. The closest window rolled down to reveal a man in a gray mask that showed only his dark green eyes.
“This is him,” Virgo said.
I could only watch as several other men in masks climbed out, grabbed me, and threw me in the back. Another man shoved a bag over my head and then fastened handcuffs around my wrists. The impartial voice in the back of my mind noted that he smelled like sauerkraut.
“Take it easy,” Virgo called out. “He’s had a rough day.”
I closed my eyes with the thought that I needed to be more careful who I trusted.
Thank you for reading Ghost Moon! I hope you enjoyed it. Demon Crew, the next book in the series, will be out shortly on Amazon. Until then, if you like werewolf books, I highly recommend reading The Silver Series. The first book in the series is here:
Amazon link for Silver
If you are in the mood for a different kind of adventure, try the space opera action adventure The Girl from the Stars:
Amazon link for Daybreak
BOOKS BY CHEREE ALSOP
The Silver Series-
Silver
Black
Crimson
Violet
Azure
Hunter
Silver Moon
The Werewolf Academy Series-
Book One: Strays
Book Two: Hunted
Book Three: Instinct
Book Four: Taken
Book Five: Lost
Book Six: Vengeance
Book Seven: Chosen