MOONLITE SECRETS

lp but listen to Eryx's excited voice as it carried into the kitchen. My thoughts wer

what, sweetheart?" I asked, sounding more informal than I felt.

s footsteps getting closer. I always knew to brace myself whe

n a softer tone. "It's

s words made my stomach knot, even though I

fe and used the dish towel to wipe my hands. I answered, "Go on, look at the moon if you want," thin

aring at me with an expression I couldn't place as if he were holdi

he addressed the

th caught. Concerned? Not. Ju

ee right through my mask. "This is how

y love. It's simply..." In my throat, the words grew softer. How could I desc

collections were constan

f what was about to happen and more like a mother. "How about

I'm being serious. You are not deceiving me. With a hollow soun

tention to the counter and finished the meal. The minutes passed between my thoughts as the clock on the wall tick

five years. Because I had abando

hings were unavoidable even in t

-

quietly kissed his forehead. The chamber was filled with the

-my handsome, intelligent son. However, there was

ough the glass, a brisk wind that

d, but h

nto my mind for the hundredth time that night. Although it had only been a few short year

-

the birth of Eryx, I have worn it. It was a souvenir from my past that

now whether that past was r

I was about to snuggle in

rom the other end

hear him hesitating outside my door. He was never uncerta

is hand on the door frame wh

h my heart racing, I asked, a

ng out there, Mo

. "What do you m

m, his eyes wide. "I felt it, but I'm not sure. It feels a bit l

ow something is off but are unable to id

curring o

house before I could respond. A harsh snarl was he

his arm and dragged him into

no longer able to ignore it. He tightened his hold,

r thing. A

uldn't keep him from know

the anxiety in my voice. I suppressed the panic that was r

ts flickered befo

shadow moved. When I turned, I saw a perso

stopped

ss

-

t of me was real.

his wide frame filled the doorway. The weight of him-of

ered in a low, menaci

the ti

I heard a low growl outside, closer now, as if it

as too late when

dy a victim