By the Pale Moonlight (Book One of the Moonlight Series)

by Jennifer Hendren

  "I'm not saying you can't shoot a gun. I just thought it might be important to make sure." Ty shrank beneath my glare.

  "I've kicked your ass in every video game since we were kids—not to mention my dad is a gun freak. You really think I don't know how to handle one?"

  He twirled the fake gun over his finger. It was one of those cheap kinds that shot out plastic darts with miniature suction cups on the end. He proudly pulled it out as we popped the first DVD in the player. It wasn't quite dark yet, but the first trick-or-treaters began to sing-song their greetings, sinking their grubby little paws into the trough of goodies I presented them.

  I placed the bowl on the foyer table and giggled at his eager expression. He really thought his idea was genius.

  "Fine. Give it to me."

  "Just remember I'm the enemy." He backed away. "No holds barred. Go in for the kill."

  I loaded the gun and watched him prance around the room, darting to and fro like a wild animal. I giggled as he did an impressive leap off the side of our couch.

  He stopped. "Mac."

  "Oh, sorry. Kill, kill. Got it."

  He continued his weird dance and I followed his movements with the tip of the gun. When I had a clear shot, I pulled the trigger. The dart zoomed home, landing in the center of his forehead with a loud sucking pop. He groaned and fell back on the couch.

  "Is this when I stuff your mouth with an apple and mount you?"

  "Kinky." He grinned and pulled me down with him. "You're an ace."

  I pulled the dart off his forehead; it made a soft pop as it came free. "Told you."

  Our lips barely made contact before the doorbell rang and a rendition of "trick or treat, smell my feet" began.

  "Hold that thought." I hurried to the door and did the candy thing. I chatted with a neighbor for a few minutes while her kids ran around our front yard. When I returned, Ty had his game face back on.

  "What?" I said. "Do you want me to put another cap in your ass?"

  "No. I think you've got that part down."

  His somber tone worried me. "What's wrong then?"

  "This."

  The scrape of metal against wood made my nerves jump as he placed a gun on the coffee table.

  "What are you doing with that?" I asked.

  His flat eyes met mine. "I'm not going to argue with you about this. You're keeping the gun with you."

  "I don't need it."

  Ty ignored me and pulled on a thick glove. He loaded the weapon with silver bullets and snapped the cylinder back into place. I recognized my father's gun. A .357 magnum revolver—the one he kept for home security. With so many guns in the house, my father was a stickler on gun safety. I knew how to handle all of the pieces in his collection. That knowledge was the only thing that kept me from marching over to Ty and snatching it out of his hands. It didn't have a safety feature.

  "Unload that damn thing and put it back where you found it."

  "After you lock me in the cellar, I want you to stay in your house. Stick with your parents. Don't come outside—for any reason."

  "What if you get out? Do you really think I'm going to stand by and let you get hurt?"

  "Better me than you."

  "It's not only about us, and you know it. What if you hurt someone else?" The bitter taste of guilt lay heavy on my tongue. I swallowed hard and raised my chin, prepared to stand my ground.

  Ty pulled off his glove and tossed it across the room. He leaned back and rubbed his eyes roughly. "You're right. God, what are we going to do?"

  I sat next to him. "Melanie and I think we've figured out a way—but it's going to require you to loosen your hold on the remote, okay?"

  He rewarded me with a half-smile. "Okay. I'm open to suggestions, but you're keeping the gun."

  "Fine."

  His head jerked in my direction. "Don't just say that. If you need it, use it."

  "I promise."

  He walked me upstairs and watched as I tucked the gun in my nightstand. With my task completed, he at last relaxed.

  Ty led me back down to the couch. On our way, he snapped off the front porch light.

  Screams filled the room when we started the movie again. I was thankful Ty bypassed the werewolf selections and gone for a teen slasher. I snuggled in close to him and tried to lose myself in the predictable plotline.

  Too soon, my thoughts returned to what might happen in two days.

  Instead of the butchered co-eds on the screen, my mind saw Ty dead—my guilty hand holding the gun that destroyed us both.

  Chapter 30

  In history class the next morning, Melanie managed to slip me a note as we passed our assignments to the front. I covertly unfolded it when my teacher began scribbling on the dry erase board.

  "Meet me at my locker. It's important."

  Over my shoulder, I nodded slightly to her. I found it hard to concentrate during the rest of the class, my thoughts preoccupied with what she might have to tell me. Finally, the bell rang and I rushed out into the hall, arriving at Melanie's locker just moments before her.

  "What's up?" I spoke low.

  "Don't be worried, Mac. I have good news."

  I exhaled slowly, the tension in my shoulders dissolving. "Thank God." With only one day until Ty's cycle began, I didn't think I could take any more hurdles being thrown at us.

  "I have a surprise." Her eyes danced as she quickly spun her locker combination.

  The excitement in her voice was infectious and I practically bounced in anticipation. At last the door sprang open.

  She pulled a plastic wrapped bundle out and drew back a flap to reveal the contents. Blue flowers peeked out at us.

  Each sprig was about a foot long, with dark green leaves and prickly buds every inch or so. Attached to the end of each was a pale blue flower with soft petals folded inward as if to hide a secret they held in their center. They were pretty, despite my knowledge of their poisonous nature.

  "Oh my God! Where in the world did you get wolfsbane?"

  "This weird flower guy out at the mall. He had to order them special, and I didn't want to mention them in case they didn't come in time." Mel smiled triumphantly.

  I clutched her arm, my happiness barely contained. "Thank you!"

  "I thought we should try tonight."

  "Definitely. I'll tell Ty." I gave her a quick hug. "You're a lifesaver, Mel."

  I found Ty at his locker. Snaking an arm around his waist, I hugged him tightly. "How would you feel about an early morning roll in the dew?"

  He grinned. I smacked his chest.

  o0o

  "Ow!" I hopped on one foot after Ty's heavy boot landed square on my toe. "Watch where you're walking, Bigfoot!"

  "Sorry." He didn't try to hide his amusement. I resisted the urge to smack him.

  The darkness surrounding us was complete. I shivered and drew my coat tight around me. The thick foliage adjacent to the drive-in gave me the creeps, despite Ty's presence. I kept expecting someone or something to jump out at us. Every time a slick leaf slithered across my cheek, I swore I could feel the very breath of the forest across my skin.

  "Maybe we should've done this in our backyard instead."

  "Right. Can you imagine the look on our parents' faces if they discovered us?" Ty took my hand and squeezed it softly. "Don't worry. We're safe."

  "But what will protect me from your size fourteens?"

  "I said I was sorry."

  A slight rustling erupted in the shrubbery ahead of us. I dug my fingers into Ty's hand and shoulder. "What's that?"

  Melanie's head popped into view, illuminated by a small flashlight she aimed at her face. She looked ghoulish and the low "Muhahahaha" she let out only added to the picture of horror. "Did I scare ya, Mac?"

  I released my death grip on Ty. "Not at all. I knew it was you."

  She quirked her brow, but said nothing. "I've got things all set up. Follow me."

  Ty tugged me along behind her. "Come on, oh brave one."

&n
bsp; I poked him in the side. "I wasn't scared."

  It seemed like we walked for miles through the underbrush before emerging into a small clearing covered in thick wild grass. The blades lay heavy with dew, bent nearly to the ground with the weight. It was a perfect spot and I once again marveled at Melanie's abilities. Mentally adding location scouting and nighttime navigation to her skills, I hunkered down and plucked a cool handful.

  Melanie swept her flashlight over the clearing. "I sprinkled the area with the wolfsbane, so try to stay between the markers."

  Small red lawn flags outlined a block of the ground. She had truly thought of everything. At least one of us had it together. She knelt down to light several candles encircling the spot.

  "Are you ready?" I squeezed Ty's hand.

  "Yep." He shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to me. "I can't believe I'm doing this." With a quick crack of his neck, he walked toward the prepared grass.

  "What are you doing?" Melanie asked.

  "What do you think I'm doing?"

  Melanie snorted softly and Ty's confused frown deepened.

  "Well, you see...you need to be naked for it to work." She rushed through the last part.

  "You didn't say anything about that."

  "Didn't I? Oops." She gave him a toothy grin.

  "You suck." He ran a hand through his hair. "Jesus. Turn around."

  Melanie and I smothered grins as we kept our backs to him.

  I recited the presidents in my mind when I heard the rustle of clothing falling to the ground behind us.

  Wet footfalls crunched and stopped, replaced by a heavier sound that could only have been Ty dropping to the ground.

  "Now what?" he said.

  I jumped at the sound of his voice as the image of what lay behind me fought for domination of my thoughts. "Uh...do you feel any different?"

  "I'm freezing my ass off, but other than that, no."

  "You need to roll around," Melanie said. "Your entire body needs to get wet."

  Melanie lowered her flashlight and quirked her brows up when we heard the distinct sound of someone thrashing about in the grass.

  A loud groan came from behind us. "This isn't working. I don't feel any different."

  "Give it a few minutes. Maybe it takes a while," I said.

  "I feel like a complete idiot."

  "Ty..." I hated to hear the disheartened tone in his voice.

  "I know. I'm rolling."

  I shivered, a vicarious empathy for how cold Ty must be. After a few minutes, I asked, "Anything?"

  "No."

  "Damn," I said softly.

  Melanie gave me a tight smile. "We had to try." She handed me a blanket and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll give you guys a few minutes."

  "Thank you."

  She pushed through some low-lying branches and disappeared into the thick trees.

  Once she was gone, I swiveled around and held out the covers. Wrapped in the thick wool, Ty turned to face the nearly full moon.

  "We'll try something else." I fought the tremor in my voice. There wouldn't be a next time until after this moon cycle.

  "Next time, can clothing be a requirement?"

  "I'll see what we can do."

  With a quick jerk of his head, he motioned me over to where he stood. He draped a strong arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. "I'm freezing."

  A small laugh escaped me as I wrapped myself around him and held on tight.

  Chapter 31

  The clang of the shackle locking into place around Ty's wrist echoed in my heart. I ran my fingers gently beneath the unforgiving metal. The contrast between the iron and his velvety skin stirred the emotions I barely held in check.

  "We should pad your wrists first," I said, my voice thick.

  "I appreciate the sentiment, Mac, but it won't matter." Before I could argue with him, he added, "Besides, we have to make sure there's enough give for when I change."

  With his free hand, Ty grabbed the chain attached to the ceiling and pulled with his full weight. It held firm, though a light fall of dirt rained down to dust our shoulders.

  "Do you think it will hold?"

  He jerked the restraint again. "I hope so." His green eyes met mine, but he wouldn't allow me time to succumb to my fears. "You better lock my other arm. It's almost dark."

  I immediately went to work, struggling with the latch on the metal cuff as Ty softly whispered instructions. At last, it snapped shut and I stepped back as he once again tested the give. Dressed in a pair of dark grey gym shorts, he looked like a modern day Christ waiting for absolution. The deep cuts on his chest, which had returned that morning, were raw and shiny. I turned away, unable to bear the sight before me.

  All of our hard work had been for nothing. In the end, we hadn't been able to cure him. In the end, we were right back where we started.

  The guilt of it all weighed heavy on my shoulders. I'd distracted Ty too much—split his attention with a million irrelevant things that no longer seemed important. Now I had to chain him in a pit and leave him completely defenseless.

  "You should go." Ty's voice was low and soft, a gentle plea in his tone.

  I ran a hand over my mouth to hide the slight tremor in my lips. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

  "I promise to stay put." His attempt at wry humor landed with a thud; he immediately looked repentant. "I'm sorry. No more jokes."

  "Good." I tried to lighten my tone. "Remember I have you at an advantage. Misbehave, and I can do whatever I want to you."

  He grinned. "Anything?"

  I tried to smile, but failed as a tremor stole through me again. Our eyes locked and held.

  He motioned me over with a jerk of his chin. "Give us a little kiss before you go."

  I went to him, running my fingertips along the slopes of his chin before kissing him softly on the lips. He buried his face in my neck and we stood for a long time, cheek to cheek, both reluctant to be apart. I knew if I didn't leave him then, I wouldn't be able to go. I took a deep breath and memorized the smell of him—that certain Ty scent mixed with sweat and the woodsy outdoors.

  "Stay close to your parents," Ty whispered, his lips warm as he pressed a kiss against my temple.

  I turned and quickly ascended the stairs without looking back. I barred the cellar door and set the small alarm that would alert me if the door opened some time in the night. Melanie waited outside and gave me a reassuring smile as we secured the building with yet another alarm.

  "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Melanie searched my face. In the gray light of dusk, her face was almost white, the slight smattering of freckles across her nose standing out even more than usual. She looked scared. This was the last place on earth she wanted to be, but I knew she would stay if I asked.

  I shook my head. "No."

  My reasons were numerous, but mostly I needed to be alone. Just for one night, I didn't want to filter my emotions for the sake of another person. When tears came, they would be shed in privacy.

  "You'll call me if anything happens?" Melanie said, glancing nervously at the shed and back at me. "I can be here in less than ten minutes."

  "You're on my speed dial."

  She squeezed my arm and hurried up the drive to her car parked at the curb. She cast me one last wary glance before driving away.

  The sun hung low in the trees, weak rays breaking through the nearly bare branches. A slight breeze scuttled stray leaves across the asphalt, the only sound in the growing twilight. The world seemed to be waiting with bated breath for some dormant unrest to rise and break free from its constraints. I wrapped my arms around my torso and tried to stay the impending doom taking root in my chest. If only I could know the path we'd chosen was the right one.

  I paused and watched the small shed, trying to imagine what Ty was thinking, what emotions coursed through him in that moment. I struggled with the urge to release him and finally forced myself to turn and head inside my house. Once there, I secured the loc
ks, and with a determined set of my jaw, vowed to uphold my end of the bargain.

  If my parents noticed my sudden attentiveness, they didn't comment. I stuck with them the entire evening as the darkness grew and eventually consumed the daylight. I dressed in jeans and a baggy cardigan that hid the capture gun tucked in my waistband. Luckily, they didn't notice. In my pocket, the small beeper that would alert me to a breech in the shed's security drew my attention every few seconds—a talisman against the fear.

  The sound of tree limbs brushing against the house, the wind shaking the small wind chime hung on the porch, and every passing car served to hone my anxiety to a razor sharp point. It was almost a relief when my parents called it a night and we all retired to our rooms. Once inside mine, I made sure to double check my locked windows and drew the curtains. Then I pressed my back against my headboard and laid the gun in my lap. Sleep didn't find me until almost dawn, my eyes at last giving up the fight.

  I awoke with a jerk when the alarm went off. My heart crashed into my throat as I groped for the gun. It had slid off my lap at some point and I'd rolled over on it. Freeing it from my thick comforter, I darted to the door before realizing it was my alarm clock beeping and not the pager, which lay soundless in my pocket. I leaned against the door trying to catch my breath as my terror subsided.

  Thin streams of light penetrated the tiny slits in my curtains and I pulled them back to a new day. I slipped on my tennis shoes and hurried out to the shed. The door remained secure and my hands shook slightly as I fumbled with the lock and alarm. The latch of the trapdoor proved even more difficult, and my voice caught as I yelled out Ty's name.

  "I'm okay."

  Relief flooded through me and I at last managed to get the door open. I rushed down the stairs.

  He looked tired. Dark patches rested beneath his eyes and his face was covered in light stubble. But he was alive, and that was all I cared about. My fingers couldn't release his shackles fast enough. When at last one arm was free, he crushed me to his chest and kissed me hard. "I was so worried," he whispered.

  He ran his hand down my cheek and I covered it with my own. "I'm fine. Nothing happened."