Kissed By Moonlight

by Adrianne Brooks

I didn’t know where else to go, so I headed for home. Back to my cheap, bullet-ridden apartment with my stuffed animals and empty refrigerator. It wasn’t even 11:00 p.m., so there were plenty of people to stare at me as I made my way through the city streets. I’d lost one of my shoes back at L.C. and all too soon my toes grew numb against the continued abuse of slapping against cracked concrete. My lips felt numb, but I suspected that had to do with the amount of blood I’d lost.

  Under the streetlamps and glaring headlights of oncoming cars I saw that there were two deep punctures, and several long lines of torn skin to commemorate my first werewolf attack. I wondered if I’d shift now, start howling at the moon, and chasing cars and postmen in my free time. The thought earned me a hysterical giggle and I stumbled drunkenly on the sidewalk. I bumped shoulders with another passing pedestrian and he shoved me away. I stumbled, hitting the wall of a nearby bookstore and laughing as I sank down beside it.

  In the back of my mind I knew I was probably going into shock, but I couldn’t seem to bring myself to care. Sure my arm was mauled, but I was alive. I’d met a fucking werewolf. How many people could say the same?

  I was still chuckling when shadow loomed over me. Bleary eyed, I looked up into the familiar faces of Agent Liam and Agent Benson.

  “Have you ever met a werewolf?” I demanded, and the two men glanced at one another. Agent Benson frowned.

  “Hairy beast, goes on a rampage once a month, preys on the weak and innocent?”

  I nodded and he shrugged, holding up his hand to show off a simple gold wedding band.

  “Married one.”

  Well I’ll be damned.

  “Cut that out, Patrice is an Angel for putting up with you for as long as she has.” Liam snapped. He reached down and I flinched as he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me to my feet. My head lolled against his shoulder and the world spun. “There you go. That’s it. Now let’s get you to a hospital.”

  “That,” I slurred, my finger poking him in the chest for emphasis, “is an excellent idea.”