Moon Thrall

by Donna Grant

  “Definitely,” Court whispered.

  Skye then asked in a low voice, “Does Solomon really not like her?”

  Court moved aside her hair so his lips were by her ear. “I think the point is that he likes her. A lot.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said as she leaned back, frowning.

  “His fiancée was killed years ago,” Court whispered.

  Skye’s mouth formed a big O. Enough years had passed that Solomon could talk freely about it, but Court wasn’t going to bring it up unless Solomon did.

  There was small chitchat around the table as they ate. Despite the group, Court felt as if it were just him and Skye. He couldn’t look at her without smiling, his love growing by the second.

  “Ugh,” Riley said with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t sit at this table a minute longer and see the two of y’all making eyes at each other. The smiles and secret looks are driving me batty.” She rose and looked pointedly at Court. “You do realize I’m single, right? Geesh. You two are worse than Addison and Myles.”

  “Amen,” Kane said as he rose and gathered some dishes to bring to the sink.

  Addison merely smiled. “I think it’s cute.”

  Court’s smile died when his gaze went to Solomon. Because he knew his brother was remembering Misty.

  And how he had lost her.

  Suddenly, the food in Court’s stomach turned sour. It was going to be a long damn day.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Skye didn’t think she had ever been so nervous in her entire life. Her hands shook, her palms were sweating, and at any moment, she expected to lose what little bit of food was in her stomach.

  She leaned against the porch column watching as Court and his brothers left. The Moonstone pack had already made themselves scarce hours before. Now it was just Skye, Addison, Riley, and Minka in the house.

  A house, which hours before had felt so comforting and safe, seemed ominous and...empty.

  Skye put on a brave face for Court, even though she was trembling inside. He hadn’t wanted to leave. In fact, it had taken all of them – especially her – to convince him that it would all work out.

  Right before he stepped off the porch, he had pulled her against him, nuzzling her neck. Then he had whispered, “I won’t be far. I’ll be near, ready to kill any vamp who comes for you.”

  He kissed her, hard. But it was full of passion and promise. Then he whispered something beneath his breath that had made Skye’s heart skip a beat.

  She wasn’t completely certain, but it had sounded very much like ‘I love you.’

  Skye bit her tongue so she wouldn’t call out to Court and beg him to remain. She touched her lips, her eyes filling with tears. She loved him. Desperately.

  “I love you, Court LaRue,” she whispered, hoping the wind carried her words to him.

  When she could no longer see Court after he’d faded into the woods, Skye turned around and saw Minka standing at the screen door.

  Minka blinked and looked at her as she pushed open the door. “We have a little over an hour until dusk.”

  “Right,” Addison said and turned away from the porch railing to walk into the house.

  Riley was next, a frown marring her forehead.

  Skye grabbed the screen door. “What is there to do other than wait?”

  “Lots,” Minka said with a smile. “This house is protected, but I’ve been adding to them for the past few days.”

  Skye stepped into the house and let the screen door close behind her. Then she shut the door. “Court said for us not to leave the house, so we should be fine.”

  “Oh, girl,” Minka said as she linked her arm with Skye’s. “You know the supernatural, but you don’t really know them.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “It means that they’ll get you out of the house any way they can.”

  Skye tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. She had been pretty confident that Minka’s idea would work. Now she was beginning to understand Solomon’s reluctance, and Court’s nervousness.

  “The boys won’t be far,” Minka hurried to say. “Court won’t let anything happen. He cares deeply for you.”

  “And I for him. That does neither of us any good right now.”

  “You’d be surprised,” Riley said from the doorway of the kitchen. She smiled and waved them toward her. “Love has a way of beating the odds sometimes.”

  Skye thought of her parents. “And others?”

  “My parents were murdered by a vengeful woman who wanted my father for herself,” Riley said. She shrugged as if it happened every day.

  But Skye saw the pain in her gaze.

  Addison was leaning against the kitchen counters. “Solomon’s fiancée was killed right in front of his eyes. He couldn’t reach her in time.”

  “I had no idea,” Minka replied softly.

  Skye walked to the fridge for a beer, but as she looked at the bottles, she knew she needed something stronger. She closed the refrigerator door and asked, “Where is the alcohol?”

  It was Riley who walked out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of bourbon. She held each up. Addison chose the vodka while Skye picked the bourbon.

  “What happened to Solomon’s woman?” Minka asked.

  Riley poured herself some bourbon and sat at the table. “The specifics are never discussed. I know she was killed, and that Solomon blames himself.”

  “How long ago?” Skye asked.

  Addison tossed back a shot of vodka. “Several years. It’s why you never see him with anyone.”

  “He refuses to let another woman close,” Riley said.

  Skye sipped her bourbon. “I can understand that after such a tragedy.”

  “We’re not going to end up like her,” Addison said. She set down the glass and looked at each of them. “We know what’s coming. We know what they want. And we have a witch on our side.”

  Minka’s smile was slight. “I’m here to help in any way I can, but until we know who it is that’s helping the vampires, we can only wait.”

  “Personally, I think you’re damn brilliant,” Riley said to Minka.

  The witch shrugged, though she beamed from the praise. “I wanted to help.”

  “Still,” Skye said, impressed herself. “I would never have thought to spread a rumor to have them show up.”

  Addison smiled. “I know, right? Most want to keep hidden. But not Minka. She puts it all out there.”

  “We were in the middle of it not that long ago,” Minka said to Addison. “Running doesn’t do any good.”

  Skye knew the truth of that. The past week had been both tiring and wonderful. Yet it was no way to live. For any of them. She owed each person there a debt she would most likely never be able to repay, but she was going to try.

  “It feels weird not having the guys in the house,” Skye said.

  Riley’s lips twisted. “I have to agree that I miss seeing those sexy Moonstone wolves. Especially Griffin. Can we say yum?”

  “I’ve seen how some of them look at you,” Addison said to Riley. “You won’t be single long with that bunch.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Riley held up her glass and tossed back the contents. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been kissed. Between Addison and Myles and now Court and Skye, I’m feeling the need for a man.”

  Addison was still smiling when she turned her gaze to Minka. “I’m pretty sure if Minka gave Griffin even a hint that she was interested, she would have some company, as well.”

  Minka rolled her eyes. “I’ve got enough to occupy my time, thank you very much. A man just complicates things.”

  “Unless he’s worth it,” Skye added, thinking of Court.

  Who was more than worth it.

  “Can’t argue with that,” Riley said.

  Minka cleared her throat. “Let’s get down to business, girls. The house is warded, but none of you are. I’m going to change that. I
’ve made these,” she said and set three bracelets on the table.

  Skye sat forward to peer at them closer. The bracelets were silver, each a different design. Minka handed Addison a bracelet with long links. Riley was given one with several small cords of silver that were braided.

  Minka then handed the last bracelet to Skye. Skye accepted the piece of jewelry, running her fingers along the two bands of silver. They looked dainty, but they were hard and substantial. Anchoring the two bands on either side was an oval with a fleur de lis etched in it.

  Skye slipped the bracelet on her wrist. The bangle felt right resting against her skin. She looked up at Minka and smiled.

  “Will this keep the vampires away from us?” Riley asked.

  Minka shoved her long curls over her shoulder. “Hopefully it’ll keep everything away from you. Including Delphine,” she said, looking pointedly at Riley.

  Skye frowned. That name again. She was truly an enemy of both the Chiassons and the LaRues. And she sounded awful.

  “She knows you’re here,” Minka continued. “She’s already tried to kill your brothers. It’s only a matter of time before she turns to you.”

  Riley put her bracelet in place and smiled. “Let the bitch try.”

  “The bracelets will stop some magic, but not all of it. No ward will stop all magic. If whoever is after you is smart enough and has enough time, they can figure a way to get to you.”

  “We’ll keep that in mind,” Skye said. She touched the bracelet with her left hand. “If I do leave the house, will the bracelet keep the vampires away from me?”

  Minka nodded. “It should. Keep in mind we still don’t know who is working with the vamps. I used wards that will protect y’all against anyone – human or supernatural – out to harm you. It covers a broad range but could leave a gap open where the bracelets won’t work.”

  “Where is yours?” Addison asked.

  Minka linked her fingers together on the table. “I have my own wards.”

  Skye glanced out the window. The sun was sinking rapidly. It wouldn’t be too much longer before the vampires surrounded the LaRue house.

  Who else would be with them? The Djinn? The witches? Delphine?

  “You aren’t in this alone,” Riley said as she laid a hand on Skye’s arm.

  Skye swiveled her head to the pretty brunette. “I know, and I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that. I don’t think I could do this alone.”

  “Yes you could.” Addison smiled when Skye shot her a surprised look. “We’re all stronger than we think we are. You proved that already, Skye.”

  Skye choked on a laugh. “By running?”

  “By standing against the vampires with a knife,” Minka said.

  “I only had the courage to do it because I knew Court was there and the rest of you were outside the club.”

  Riley snorted loudly. “Whatever the reason, you impressed the hell out of me. I hate vampires.”

  “Ditto,” Addison said with a shiver. “I had my own run-in with one.”

  Skye was intrigued now. “What happened?”

  Addison smiled widely. “Myles ripped his throat out with his teeth.”

  They all laughed. Though Skye’s mind turned to Court and how he had shifted to a wolf at the vampire club. His teeth had been scary sharp, not to mention long. And he snapped his jaws with a force that meant anything in his way was going to be cut in half.

  Court’s family had suffered their own tragedies. It was a wonder they could continue on as they did, but it was because they had a mission to carry out.

  “For the first time in a long time I have something to live for,” Skye said. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’ve been wandering for so long, angry at the supernatural around me. Yet it brought me to this city and put me in Court’s path. I...I don’t want to lose him.”

  Riley sat back in her chair with a grin. “Trust me, Court isn’t going to let you go anywhere. He’s a wolf, an alpha, and once they find their women, they don’t let go.”

  “I can attest to that,” Addison said with a wink.

  “I love him.” Skye laughed after she let the words pass her lips. “I do. I love him.”

  Minka’s smile was a little sad. “I think we all figured that out already.”

  “We’ll get through this night because we stand together, Skye,” Riley said. “The LaRues have always been good for this city. They’re good men, but more than that, they’re feared and respected here.”

  “That’s right,” Minka added. “Unfortunately, that means that if the LaRues show an ounce of weakness, the rest of the factions will see it.”

  Skye took a deep breath. She looked from Addison to Riley, and then focused on Minka. The witch was the only one who didn’t have a tie to the LaRues. “No matter what happens to me, don’t let them show any weakness. Remind them what they stand for and what their presence means to the city.”

  “I will,” Minka pledged.

  Skye looked out the window to see the last rays of the sun disappear. The time had arrived.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Court was restless, edgy. He didn’t like leaving Skye behind. Despite him knowing it was the only way to end this thing the vampires had out for her once and for all.

  The minutes ticked by as slow as centuries. He thought the sun would never set. Then as soon as it did, he wished it hadn’t.

  Myles and Kane had already shifted. They were on patrol on the back side of the house. Court flexed his hand as he felt his wolf urging him to give in and shift. But he waited. He was faster, stronger...deadlier in wolf form. Yet he felt the need to fight as a man, not a werewolf.

  In the end, his wolf would win. Until then, he was in control.

  “You’re smarter than I was,” Solomon whispered.

  Court frowned and jerked his head to his brother. “What?”

  “With your woman. I didn’t think anything could touch mine.” Solomon’s smile was full of regret and guilt. “I assumed that the other factions would leave us alone.”

  Court had never heard Solomon talk of Misty or himself this way. It took him aback to the point that he didn’t know what to say.

  “You’ve always been cautious,” Court said.

  Solomon shook his head. “Not always. I learned my lesson the hard way. The same won’t happen to you.”

  “Because we planned this out?”

  “Because you’re not as prideful as I was.” Solomon looked at the ground. “All hell is liable to break loose this night. It doesn’t matter who is working with the vampires because all the factions will be watching us.”

  Court understood what Solomon was saying. “We can’t show any weakness.”

  “Not even a drop. If we lose our foothold of authority, we’ll be descended upon by all the factions within days.”

  Their hold had always been precarious no matter what generation it was. It wasn’t easy being a LaRue, but it was a position Court relished.

  “I have your back, little brother,” Solomon said.

  Court watched Solomon shift into a wolf, his clothes shredding and falling to the ground before Solomon trotted off. A moment later, Court gave into the wolf within him and shifted, as well.

  He took in a deep breath. Even a mile away from the house he could smell Skye. Her scent was distinctive, alluring. She meant everything to him. He hadn’t had the balls to tell her when he’d left, but he wished he had. His whispered words were for him.

  His gaze lifted to the sky. The moon was climbing fast. By now his brothers would’ve taken their positions around the house. The Moonstone clan were behind them. Griffin’s weres were always ready to fight, especially against vampires or Delphine.

  Court never thought to see the Moonstone pack return to New Orleans, but he was immensely glad Griffin had brought them back to the city where they belonged. The werewolves were no longer a minority within the factions. Their numbers were increasing daily.

  But right now, Court’s attention was
on the vampires after his woman. He crouched behind a clump of young pines and waited, hidden by their branches. His hiding spot was along the most direct route to the house from the city, but none of them expected his to be the only one used.

  None of the weres were to attack any faction until the vampires attacked the house. Hopefully, they would also learn who was working with the bloodsuckers.

  Court’s paw dug into the ground, muddy from the recent rain. His ears turned backward as he heard movement. It was faint, almost as if it never was. But he wasn’t fooled. The supernatural were gifted in all ways.

  Then again, so was he.

  The first vampire walked by him so close that he could have leaned over and snapped his teeth around his ankle. Instead, Court let him go.

  “You don’t really believe the LaRues left, do you?” a female vamp asked the man next to her as they walked toward the house.

  The male chuckled softly. “I do. Stupid werewolves think they will find us all at the club to teach us a lesson. We’ll be the ones to teach them.”

  Court’s lip lifted in a snarl, but he held his growl back before any sound could be made. Fury sped through him. He might have been too young to get revenge for his parents’ murder, but he was strong enough now to ensure his woman was well protected.

  It took everything he had to let those vampires walk away. More and more vamps were coming, spreading out through the forest. Most didn’t even look around for enemies. They had truly bought the rumor Markus had begun the day before that the LaRues were coming for the vampires at the Viper’s Nest.

  The sheer number of vampires worried Court. He was more than up for a fight, but his concern was for Skye. She feared the vamps. After what had happened to her both in California and in New Orleans, she had every right.

  It tore at Court that he wasn’t at her side to help her. His only consolation was the fact that Riley, Minka, and Addison were with Skye. Riley was more than proficient in hunting and killing the supernatural.

  And Minka...well, the witch had skills. She’d saved Myles from certain death when he’d had silver in his system.

  Addison wasn’t a shrinking violet. She had been learning from both Myles and Riley how to fight and hunt. Soon, she would be more than capable of taking care of herself.