He was about to turn and leave the room when the girl suddenly twitched, her smile now gone. The dog whined slightly and sat up. The dog noticed him at once but made no sound. The girl began moaning, her chest heaving and then she bolted straight up with a squeal. Her hand flew to her chest as her eyes settled on the man standing over her in the dark.
“It’s-it’s you,” she spoke the words through winded gasps.
“Yes,” was his simple reply. He then turned without another word and left the room.
* * * * * *
Emerald struggled to fall back asleep after finding the man standing over her, watching her while she slept. The thought had unnerved her. How long had he been standing there anyway? She couldn’t tell anything about him other than the fact that he was extremely large, but all the men here seemed to be. She couldn’t imagine what was so special about this man that he could protect her better than any of the other men here. She didn’t understand why, but she felt incredibly nervous about meeting the man. After all, he hated humans. From what Riggs had said, he was clearly unhappy about his assignment. Maybe she could let him off the hook, tell him he could go back home, that she could get someone else to protect her.
She woke to Beta licking her in the face. The gesture had always woken her no matter how hard she slept. She was surprised to find that sometime during the night she had actually fallen back to sleep.
She stretched, popping her neck from side-to-side, and stood. She stepped into her Converse, lacing them quickly, and went into the little bathroom to freshen up.
She exited her room, Beta tight on her heels, and instantly heard the men talking downstairs.
“We don’t know how much they know about her yet,” Blake was saying. “Perhaps they are just curious.”
“Most likely they’re just curious about her, but we’ll need to be cautious.” Emerald didn’t recognize the deep scruffy voice, but somehow, she knew it belonged to this Ren. She detected a slight Scottish accent. He continued. “We’ll go to her home first so she can pack some things before heading out of town. We’ll take a train. We’ll go to the Chatwin Facility first to find some answers.”
“I’m ready to go,” she spoke coming into view at the top of the staircase. All the men turned to stare at her, with Ricky waving at her, his face beaming. Riggs snatched his hand, forcing him to stop. Well, at least someone was happy to see her, she thought.
Without delay, she made her way down the stairs and froze at the base as she spotted the man they called Ren. She knew it was him the moment she saw him. It was the man who had loomed over her while she was sleeping. He towered a head above the rest of the men. She instantly held the sharp gaze of her protector. Her breath caught in her throat. He was massive. He had to be at least six feet six inches tall. She had never seen a man so tall in person. He was broad-shouldered and muscular. She could see that even through his clothing. Despite her sudden fear, she found herself walking toward him. He was a magnificent creature to behold. His golden hair was shoulder length but tied behind his neck with a leather strap. His jaw was sharp and squared. He was dressed in all black like a warrior from another time with a long sword sheathed and strapped to his back. His expression was hard, his eyes narrowed as he studied her. She came to a halt right in front of him and gazed up in amazement. His eyes were a pale shade of amber, almost yellow, unlike any color she had ever seen before. She was sure she looked like an idiot, but she couldn’t stop herself. He was simply breathtaking. He towered over her like a giant. He studied her too, but his expression appeared more annoyed than anything else. If he was impressed at all by her he didn’t give it away.
Blake cleared his throat bringing Emerald back to reality. “Emerald, this is Ren Callaway, the one sent to protect you. And Ren, this is Emerald Cutler.”
“Hey. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said, with a smile, taking his large hand in hers in greeting.
Ren simply nodded saying nothing as he quickly released her hand.
“Well I declare,” she whispered to herself. Emerald felt a slight disappointment in the greeting. She guessed she had expected more, anything more than just a nod.
“Well,” Blake added, “I hope you slept well, Emerald.”
She turned to her host. “Yes. I’m much obliged for your kindness,” she said, and she meant it. Blake and his pack had been gracious hosts, especially considering the circumstances surrounding her presence here.
“Can I go with them?” Ricky whispered to Riggs.
“No,” he snapped back at him.
“But it’s Ren Callaway.”
“No.”
“But he could use another set of eyes.”
“No.”
“There’s food in the kitchen,” Blake said to them both. “Grab you something before you leave, and please be careful on your journey.”
Ren said nothing more as he turned and headed for the front door. Was he going to leave without her? She glanced at Blake whose expression appeared apologetic.
Ricky mouthed the words, ‘can I come with you’ but she shrugged.
“You take care, little one,” Riggs said, seeming slightly concerned.
“Yeah, you take care,” Ricky copied.
She smiled at them both and then her stomach growled so she quickly darted into the kitchen and froze. “Oh, my heavens.” There were all kinds of breakfast foods spread across the kitchen table. With no time to be choosy, she snatched several ham biscuits and headed for the door.
~5~
Ren didn’t glance back to make sure she was following, but he heard her when she burst out the front door and into the yard.
He had been unnerved at their meeting. She had gawked up at him like he was a strange being from another planet. He wasn’t used to that kind of reaction, and he wasn’t expecting it, or expecting her. She was lovely, just like the others had said, but he hadn’t been anticipating just how lovely, or how it would make him feel. Her eyes were a deep shade of green, like the color of her name, and for a moment, he imagined he saw images dancing around in those deep eyes. It hadn’t gone unnoticed how the others reacted to her either, especially Riggs and Ricky. He shook his head, clearing the thoughts away instantly.
One thing he did know, her southern accent was going to get on his nerves real quick.
It only took him a few strides to reach the cars and he froze when he spotted the one he knew had to be hers. It was a bright yellow Honda, too small of a car for a man of his size. He groaned, shooting her a glare of disapproval as he opened the driver’s door and moved the seat back as far as it would go. He squeezed in and fit, though just barely. The girl opened the passenger door and stuck her head in as if she was going to climb inside, but upon seeing his grim expression she ushered her dog in instead. “Um, Beta, why don’t you sit in the front this time.” She quickly jumped into the back seat.
She didn’t say anything but handed her dog a ham biscuit which he scarfed up a little too fast and then proceeded in coughing. The dog didn’t seem to mind Ren’s presence, perhaps he sensed that Ren was also here to protect his owner.
The girl cleared her throat. “So, should I call you Mr. Callaway?”
“Not if you want me to answer,” was his only remark.
He knew she was waiting for him to say more but he didn’t.
After a few minutes she spoke again. “So, what are we going to tell my mother? She won’t let me leave with you without a good explanation.”
“I’ll handle your mother. You just go to your room and pack a bag.”
“Why can’t I just stay at home? They don’t know who I am. You could protect me there.”
“Once they find out who you are, they will come after you. Then, neither you nor your mother will be safe.”
“Well, I have no idea what to pack. Where are we headed?”
“There’s a place I know in Missouri.”
“Missouri! Dang, that’s a long way.”
He glanced at her in the rearview mirro
r but said nothing else.
He could sense she was getting frustrated by his lack of communication, but he just didn’t enjoy talking. He knew she would get used to it in time. All the others had.
They pulled the car into the driveway of her home and all seemed quiet. There was a car in the driveway and Ren assumed her mother was home.
They exited the car and Emerald started to run to the door. “Wait!” Ren called to her. She froze and spun to face him.
“Let the dog go in first,” he said.
Emerald opened the door and the dog ran inside. Ren grabbed Emerald’s arm to stop her before she could enter. “Wait,” he whispered without meeting her gaze. He listened intently. All was quiet…until he heard the dog whine.
“What is it?” the girl demanded. Ren sensed her alarm. Something was wrong. “Where’s my mom?”
“Stay behind me,” Ren demanded, shoving the girl behind his back but not letting go of her arm.
The girl was heaving now as if she sensed it too.
Ren moved through the living room with stealth and speed. The girl could barely keep up. The dog was whining in the kitchen. He entered the kitchen and spun to face the girl. “You stay right here. Don’t move.”
He turned and entered the kitchen. There was a large island in the middle of the room and the dog was whining on the other side. As Ren approached, he spotted the body on the floor. It was a woman; Emerald’s mother. The dog was sitting beside her, pawing at her to wake her up. She wasn’t moving. He reached for her, turning her over and instantly recognized the mauled marks on her neck as vampire bites. She was dead.
“Daingead,” he growled under his breath.
Ren heard the girl enter the room. In one large leap he was in front of her, stopping her.
“What is it?” she asked.
“You can’t go in there.”
“Why?” Her voice rose to a high pitch. “Why Ren?! Where is my mother?!” The hysteria began pouring from her. She already knew. She tried to push past him. “Let me see her! Mom! Mom!”
Ren held her back, but the girl continued to try to push past him.
“No! You can’t see her. She’s gone, girl. Your mother’s gone.”
“No!” she screamed, pounding her fist on his arms holding her in place. “No! No!”
The dog began to growl. Ren spun Emerald around, pulling her back against him and covering her mouth with his large hand, silencing her. Someone was in the house with them.
He leaned into her and whispered, “Someone is here. Be very quiet.”
The girl nodded. He removed his hand and released her, shoving her behind him. He unsheathed the sword from his back and held it in front of him.
Everything was quiet.
Suddenly, a man rushed into the room with great speed but not fast enough for Ren as he sliced him with one swoosh of his sword. He fell to the floor unmoving. Another man rushed in and with two swings he also fell where the other man lay. Anticipating the third man, Ren jabbed his sword forward, stabbing the man in his chest as he appeared in the doorway. He jerked the sword out and swung a final blow to the neck.
“Okay, we need to go,” Ren said turning to the girl. She was covering her eyes. Before he could grip her, she darted around the island. He rushed to her, but she had gathered her mother into her arms, resting her head against her chest, sobbing. “I’m so sorry,” she was saying to her. “I’m so sorry.”
Ren took hold of her arm. “We need to go before more arrive.”
He pulled the reluctant girl to her feet and drug her from the room. He continued to haul her into the room he assumed was her bedroom. “Grab a bag and pack your things.”
The girl was in a daze, still sniffling but picked up her backpack from the floor and dumped the contents from it. She opened some drawers and began shoving things inside. Ren grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door.
“Wait!” she said, racing to her dresser, snatching a framed photo and shoving it into the backpack.
Ren seized her arm and ushered her through the house. She stopped at the door and grabbed her jacket and the dog leash.
Once inside the car, the girl unleashed her pain, sobbing uncontrollably. The dog jumped into the backseat with her and crawled into her lap. She cradled the dog against her and rocked, sobbing into its fur.
Ren tried to keep his eyes on the road, but he found himself watching the girl in the mirror. He felt bad for her, he really did. And if he had a heart it might be breaking at the sight…but he didn’t.
~6~
Emerald was barely aware when they arrived at the train station in the big city. She didn’t argue as Ren snatched her bag and hauled her from the car, his arm around her waist, holding her upright. She barely had the strength to stand on her own. She noticed that he was slightly gentler than before but not by much.
People were staring as they made their way to the ticket counter. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her beautiful dog or the fact that a giant, scary man was practically carrying a helpless woman along with him. Either way she couldn’t gather enough desire to care.
“Do you have the certificate for the dog?” Ren asked, staring down at her.
She motioned to her purse and Ren snatched it with his free hand, rummaging through it until he found the paper. He handed it to the attendant. Within seconds Ren was handed back a special ticket for Beta.
Ren hauled her toward the train. They were almost at the doors when a man stepped in front of them.
“Daingead,” Ren mumbled under his breath.
He was a big man in his own right, but not in comparison to Ren. The man gazed down at her. “Ma’am, are you alright?”
“She’s fine,” Ren growled through clenched teeth.
The man stood erect, shifting his stern gaze up at Ren. Emerald thought the man was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.
“I was talking to the lady,” was his bold response.
Emerald noticed Ren’s jaw clench and his grip on her tightened. “The lady is with me, and like I said, she is fine.”
She noticed that Ren’s free hand was reaching behind his back. Uh oh, Ren was about to hurt this guy.
“I’m fine!” she blurted out. “I’m fine. You’re barking up the wrong tree. I just wasn’t feeling very well. My…” she hesitated, “…my brother here was just concerned.” She patted Ren’s chest and pulled carefully from his grip. “I’m feeling so much better now, thank you for helping me,” she said to her fake brother.
This seemed to ease the man, although he still appeared suspicious as he turned to walk away, his eyes still watching them.
Emerald let out a deep breath. “Whew that was close,” she mumbled.
“Brother?” His eyebrows arched in question.
She peered up at him and shrugged.
“Quick thinking, but you should’ve just let me kill him.”
She knew Ren didn’t mean it. After all he was the best of the best for a reason and that meant being smart, not a hothead. He wouldn’t kill a human in front of the train station. At least she hoped she was right.
They stepped onto the train and made their way down the narrow hallway until Ren found their private sleeping car. Once inside and the door was shut, Emerald plopped down on the short sofa and the tears began again.
Ren stacked their bags in the corner and took a seat across from her. He opened the shade to the window so they could see out. Moments later, the train pulled away from the station and they were underway.
Emerald had never been on a train before and under different circumstances she would have enjoyed the beauty of it, but her heart was broken. She had now lost both of her parents, and aside from Beta, she was totally alone with no one left who cared for her.
Beta curled up beside her, placing his head in her lap. She rubbed her hand over the soft fur, trying to take her mind off of her loss.
She glanced up, surprised to see Ren gazing at her. He had rarely looked at her since their first
meeting back at the werewolf base. She wiped at her eyes. Surely, she must look a mess. He didn’t peer away, instead he kept his gaze fixed on her like he was trying to figure out if he should say something. Maybe he felt he should comfort her. Truthfully, she didn’t know. The man was a complete mystery to her. He must have decided to keep silent.
After some time, he finally spoke. “I am sorry about your mother.”
She peered up at him then. His face was hard like always, but she thought she saw a small flicker of compassion in his eyes.
“Thank you.”
She wanted to get to know her protector. It was clear he wasn’t much of a talker, but she just didn’t have it in her to strike up a conversation at the moment. All she really wanted to do was sleep.
* * * * * *
Ren watched as the girl curled up on the sofa, pulling her dog against her and closing her eyes.
He had told her he was sorry about her mother, and he’d meant it. He’d felt he needed to say something to comfort the girl, but it really wasn’t something he was very good at. He was relieved when she just responded with a thank you. He was worried she might start talking to him. He just wasn’t one for conversation.
He glanced at her again and noticed the dog staring at him. He was snuggled against his master, unmoving, but his pale blue eyes were fixed on Ren. The two had a stare off that lasted for many minutes until the dog’s eyes finally closed and he drifted off to sleep.
Emerald Moon Page 3
