Moon of Shadows

by H. D. Gordon

  As embarrassing as it was, I crawled through the train car’s hallway until I was once again in the private chamber, and the Demon shut the door behind me. The two Fae females on the couch stared as if I had two heads, and Elian chuckled again as I bared my teeth at him and found my feet.

  From beyond the cabin door, I heard the sound of footsteps, and didn’t have time to hesitate as Elian opened the door to the washroom within the cabin, waving a hand for me to scoot inside. He gave me one last dimpled smile before shutting me inside, sealing me off from the main cabin and into the darkness.

  The smell inside the washroom was highly unpleasant considering the strength of my senses, but I was occupied listening to the happenings on the other side.

  There was a knock on the cabin door, and I drew in a breath, holding it in as if that would make a difference.

  The sound of the cabin door opening had me going rigid, but my heart seemed to stop altogether when I heard the unmistakable sound of his voice.

  “Can I help you?” the Demon asked, his tone as cool as a cucumber.

  “I was looking for someone,” Erek said, and my heart twisted at the sound. “My apologies,” he added. “I must have been mistaken.”

  “No worries,” Elian replied, and paused. “But if you don’t mind…”

  I could only assume the Demon was making some reference to the beautiful females sitting on the couch, because Erek sounded slightly embarrassed as he apologized once more and apparently exited the room.

  A moment later, the door to the washroom opened, and Elian’s grinning face was looking in at me.

  “Coast is clear,” he said.

  I shoved past him, my eyes confirming what he said, and at last released the air that had been trapped in my lungs.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled as I listened at the cabin door again, making sure Erek was indeed gone before opening it and stepping out.

  “You’re welcome, Crazy Lady,” the Demon called as I shut the door behind me and shook my head, feeling as foolish as I must’ve seemed to the three of them.

  Still, a bit of embarrassment was much preferred to being found by Erek Blackwood, the Hound who knew things about me that could get me killed.

  Or worse, locked up.

  As a Wolf, being caged was a fate worse than death.

  Erek Blackwood was the only breathing person outside of my family who knew the truth about what had gone down that day at the storehouse. And I had no illusions about our former relationship staying his hand if he ever did find me. After all, he’d intended to arrest me that very day, even after I had risked my life to save him.

  He’d told me so.

  And I’d knocked his ass unconscious in order to keep him from doing so. So I supposed we both had plenty of things to be bitter about.

  The only thing that concerned me was why the hell he was here in the first place, and how long it would be before he moved on.

  I could only hope that he would indeed move on.

  Small world, I thought as I found an empty washroom and tucked myself away in it for the remainder of the trip.

  Small Gods damned world, indeed.

  Chapter 4

  “Do you make a habit of dating Head Hounds?” said a voice that was quickly becoming familiar.

  Rolling my eyes, I looked over to see that Elian had taken a seat on the bench beside me. I’d only come out of the washroom to watch Erek depart, and had been distracted enough that I hadn’t noticed the Demon.

  The bastard had an annoying habit of moving in utter silence.

  “He’s not a Head Hound,” I replied, still peering through the window at Erek.

  Elian leaned in close to me, his shoulder brushing mine, transferring some of the warmth that seemed to radiate off of him. He pointed a finger at the window. “See that third star there on his collar?” he said. “That means he’s a Head Hound. Perhaps he wasn’t before, but it looks like your boyfriend has been promoted.”

  I shoved over with enough force to make the Demon nearly tumble off the bench beside me. When he recovered, he only grinned.

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” I snapped.

  “Right. Well, if not, then I’ll assume you’re hiding because you broke the law.”

  I gripped him up by his suit front so quickly that he didn’t see it coming. My Wolf strength was enough that even though he was much larger than me, I was able to haul him toward me with no trouble, bringing his face close to mine so that there could be no mistaking my words.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Demon,” I warned, “but it’d be wise if you minded your own damn business.”

  To his credit, Elian didn’t look as intimidated as he likely should be.

  “Or what?” he whispered back. “You gonna shoot me with one of those irons on your hips, Crazy Lady?”

  I shoved him back, and he settled into the bench across from me, adjusting his suit jacket as he smirked. He was lucky we were alone in the car, otherwise, I might have punched him for speaking those words.

  Elian held his hands up, palms out in surrender. “I saw them under your jacket while you were crawling across the floor of the cabin,” he said. “Relax. Your secret is safe with me… Though it is curious, why a lady such as yourself feels you should need them.”

  He stood, adjusting his lapels as he did so, his hazel eyes still holding mine.

  “I appreciate your help,” I said, before I could lose the nerve. Thanking strangers, especially arrogant strangers, was not my strong suit. “Thank you for letting me use your cabin.”

  The smile he gave was more charming than I would have ever admitted, those dimples appearing in his cheeks. “See?” he said. “That wasn’t so hard.”

  With this, he nodded once and left me sitting where I was, staring after him.

  After Erek got off at the first stop, I slipped out behind a couple people to keep an eye on where he was going. I had other tasks that needed attending in the city, but they could wait. First, I needed to see why Erek was here, exactly what he was doing so far from home.

  While there had been times over the past few years when I’d cursed the crowded, noisy nature of Cerys, today was not one of them. All of the external stimulations made it easier to track someone and go unnoticed.

  Cerys was the largest metropolis on Calla Camari, with feats of architectural genius around seemingly every corner. The streets were all paved, and horse drawn carriages and expensive motorcars trundled along nose-to-tail. Seer-sanctioned magic powered torches of different colors, which directed the traffic and provided illumination during the darker hours.

  Every manner of item could be found somewhere within the boundaries of Cerys, and every manner of trouble as well. Unlike on the Middle Continent, from which my family and I had come, there was no prohibition of alcohol here, and the bars and pubs stayed open for all hours of the day and night.

  Amidst the less savory of the features, there was also an abundance of art and culture. Fountains and sculptures and artists took up the avenues, the latter offering on-the-spot portraits at a reasonable rate.

  More interesting still were the people who flooded the streets, going here and there. They were of every race, which was what truly astonished me. There were Wolves walking among Vampires and Fae, magic users strolling alongside Demons and Angels. Some of them I couldn’t distinguish a race for, and it took months of guessing before someone finally informed me that many of the occupants of Cerys were of mixed race.

  For a girl from the Middle Continent, having spent my life under the Apartheid state in which was The Mound, this blew my mind most of all. It was as if I’d finally found a place where the world had caught up with my own mindset. On top of the Warner Plantation, the proximity to Cerys was part of the reason we’d decided to settle here.

  It had taken three years, but I’d finally learned my way around most of the city, which made it much easier to follow on Erek’s heels without being noticed. He was clearly an outsider, because of the w
ay his head kept swiveling as he took in the sights, and the unsure manner in which he headed toward his destination.

  We went a few more blocks, with me keeping a secure distance behind him. When we reached a small side street lined with hotels and eateries, Erek removed a piece of parchment from the pocket of his long black coat. He looked down at it and then up at the green and yellow sign hanging outside a pub tucked into the buildings. With a final glance around, he opened the door and stepped inside.

  I’d been to The Green Oyster one time before when I’d first arrived in Cerys, and had been scoping out the competition before opening a bar of my own, so I knew that there was a second level with a little deck where patrons could enjoy their drinks outside in the finer weather. I went around back, walking quickly as I slipped into the alley between buildings and found the deck.

  Placing my hands over my pockets, where the weight of my duel irons hung, I listened for a moment to ensure that Erek was not already out on the deck. When I was sure that he wasn’t, I bent my knees and leapt up.

  Though the deck was on the second story, my Wolf strength made the leap an easy feat, and I landed with a thud. Standing from my crouch, I smoothed a hand down the front of my jacket and tipped my hat to a couple of Vampires who raised their brows at my sudden appearance.

  My heart picked up in pace as I reached the door that led inside. Going in would mean risking running into Erek face-to-face, but staying out here would mean missing whatever interaction would take place inside.

  With a deep breath, I pulled open the door, deciding that I had to know why Erek was here, what his business was in Cerys. If it turned out that he was looking for me, that would complicate things big time.

  I couldn’t be sure of anything yet, I reminded myself. The Hound’s business here might have absolutely nothing to do with me.

  The deck let into a short hallway. Down this hallway were the washrooms and a set of stairs that led down to the pub below. The building was older, and the wooden floor groaned under the weight of my boots. I kept my ears and nose perked, not eager to have an accidental run-in with someone looking for the facilities.

  I’d only made it halfway down the stairs when my sensitive ears picked up the beginning of a conversation.

  “Miss Drake,” Erek’s voice said. “Thank you for meeting me.”

  “Mr. Blackwood,” replied an unfamiliar female voice.

  The sound of their footsteps crossing the bar made my heart jump, but I held the position, listening closely to the rustle of their clothing as they apparently found a seat.

  “This is an interesting place to be meeting,” said the unknown female.

  Erek’s voice lowered. “I wanted to see you,” he said.

  I leaned closer, holding my breath so as not to miss a word.

  There was a soft snort from one or the other.

  “It’s been weeks, and you haven’t sent a word,” the stranger said.

  There was a note in her voice that made me feel a bit guilty for listening; the matter between them clearly private. But I couldn’t bring myself to turn away.

  “Erek, there’s something you should know,” the female said, and there was a pause, during which I didn’t draw a breath. “I’m carrying your child.”

  I spent the rest of the day trying to erase what I’d learned. It wasn’t my business. Erek wasn’t here for me, but instead, for her. Which was good. So I didn’t understand why I should still be concerning myself with it.

  I was still trying to shake the Hound and his mystery lover from my thoughts when I’d finished my business and left the bustle of Cerys behind for the night, heading home to the quiet comfort of the plantation.

  It had been a long day, as the sidetrack with Erek had given me a late start, and by the time I walked through the door, most of the others were already abed, and the house was dark and quiet.

  I wandered into the library, where I found Kyra sitting by the fireplace along the far wall. The flickering flames from the hearth provided the only illumination, and cast the shadow of her large, puffy hair against the wall.

  She didn’t turn when she spoke. I supposed by now she could recognize the sound of my footsteps.

  “You’re late,” she said.

  I sighed, taking off my jacket and slinging it over one of the armchairs in the room before joining her over by the hearth. I took a seat by the fire, folding myself down on the rug beside her.

  “Yes, well, it’s been a day of surprises.”

  My friend pulled her eyes away from the flames for the first time to look at me. “Good surprises, I hope?”

  Rubbing at my neck, I told her about Erek Blackwood and what I’d heard.

  Kyra was silent for once, her violet eyes going wide at the name. “Here?” she said. “In Cerys?”

  I nodded.

  “Shit,” she mumbled.

  I nodded again.

  “But not for us? For this female he was talking to?”

  “Apparently.”

  Kyra stared at me.

  I spread my hands. “I’m as surprised as you are.”

  She released a slow breath, leaning into me a little and slipping her arm around my shoulders. I never would have admitted it, but it felt good to have someone to lean on.

  “Well, at least he’s not here looking for you,” she said after some time.

  “Small favors,” I mumbled.

  Kyra looked at me. “How do you feel about it?” she asked slowly.

  I scoffed. “Am I supposed to feel something about it?”

  My friend raised a brow but said nothing.

  “How was your day?” I asked, changing the subject.

  Kyra sighed. “It was fine, but I’m worried about Delia… and Demarco for that matter.”

  I sat up a little straighter, looking over at the Sorceress. “Why?”

  “Well, for starters, neither of those two will listen to a damn thing I say, and Delia has been skipping school.”

  “Skipping school?”

  Kyra nodded. “I got a call from the Headmaster today. She was asking for you, so I took a message. Turns out little miss Delia has missed five days already this month.”

  “I thought Devon was dropping her off every morning.”

  Kyra snorted. “He has been. Apparently she’s been slipping out after he does so.

  “That little fucker,” I cursed.

  “Pretty much, and then there’s Demarco.”

  “What’s the knucklehead done now?”

  “I’m not sure what’s up with him, but he’s been gone a lot lately. Sneaking about. Leaving early and coming home late.”

  “Where’s he going?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. Neither of them will listen to shit I say. Delia actually rolled her eyes when I told her I’d have to tell you about her skipping, and Demarco only ever smirks, like him stressing me out is just the funniest thing to ever have happened.”

  I shook my head, feeling weary all of a sudden, like I could sleep for a week. “I’ll have a talk with them,” I promised.

  Kyra nodded. “See that you do.”

  Chapter 5

  I went to the roof of the house in Wolf form, searching for sleep that would not find me.

  My mind just would not turn off. I kept replaying the happenings of the day in my head, from the embarrassing debacle on the train to the new knowledge that my younger siblings were not behaving as they should.

  The latter was what bothered me the most. I couldn’t help Erek Blackwood showing up out of nowhere, or even my troubles with Carson Cartier to some extent, but I felt guilty about Delia’s and Demarco’s behavior. Perhaps if I’d spent more time with them lately we could have avoided this trouble. I’d been so busy running the businesses and making sure I had the money to provide for them that I’d slipped in my other duties.

  I made a silent vow to rectify that immediately, and finally, rested my head between my paws as the stars blinked indifferently above me. Tomorrow was a new day,
and I would spend some time with my siblings, figure out what was going on with them, and hopefully make things right. After all, none of the other stuff mattered in the least if they weren’t thriving. If they weren’t thriving, I was quite certain that was because I was somehow failing.

  These thoughts followed me into sleep, and when the sun rose over the land the next morning, I felt worse than when I had laid down in the first place.

  But I got up anyway, because I wanted to have breakfast with my siblings before they headed off to do whatever they’d been doing during their weekends.

  I found Delia in the kitchen, but not Demarco, and greeted her with a kiss on her forehead. I noticed that she was wearing dark liner around her eyes and rouge on her cheeks, and fought the urge to comment on it. I figured I had to choose my battles.

  “Good morning, Delia,” I said.

  “Morning, Dita,” my younger sister responded.

  I fixed myself a mug of coffee as I considered how to go about this. I had to keep reminding myself that Delia was getting older, and that sixteen could be a very confusing age in a person’s life, that I had been a hot mess my damn self when I was her age, so perhaps I could take it easy on her.

  The other part of me wanted to grab her by her collar and shake some sense into her.

  I opted for the former, at least as a first option.

  “How’s school going?” I asked casually.

  Delia’s coal-lined eyes flicked up from the blueberry muffin she was picking at, her expression carefully cool. “It’s fine,” she said with a small smile. “Same old, same old,” she added.

  I sipped my coffee, eyeing her over the rim and nodding. When I only kept staring at her, she sighed and met my gaze. Despite her discrepancies, I had to give it to my little sis; there were full-grown male Wolves who couldn’t hold my gaze as long as she could.

  “Is there something you want to say?” she asked.

  I set my mug on the table and took a seat on the bench across from her. The kitchen was not enormous, but it was big enough to hold a handful, and the back wall was made up of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked over the rose gardens behind the house. It was here I turned as I considered which words to go with.