MOONLITE SECRETS

was already halfway to the door, his tiny frame moving wi

red. I staggered after him, my hands shaking and my pulse racing. Never befor

t he persisted. As an alternative, he slamme

ng slap. Outside, the shadows were moving and twist

on the porch with his head cocked upward and his back straight. I noticed

porch when I got to him. "

is voice was low and o

de the panic that was tea

rned to face me; the light was strange and unne

but all I could hear was the sound of leaves rustling in the wi

ermined tone. "They're presen

making him turn to face me. "Listen to me, Eryx. I'm a

d got through to him. However, he withdrew, more po

hadows embraced him, en

t took

ungster should make rumbled from his chest. His brea

rs, but he stopped me in my

a tone of authority that wasn't ap

and become dark into claws. He started breathing more deeply and heavi

er the intensity of

you, Eryx?" I hardly

e. Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the change came to an end. His eyes grew d

As if he were burning from the inside o

eble as he whispered, "Mo

id, "Shhh." It's alright.

t wasn't a

ven c

-

e second. Eryx was still in bed, his face still white, b

ly reenacted the events. The flaming eyes, the

he was more than just unique. He

ould help me stay grounded. I had spent that night with Cassian,

mising, the starry clearing, his piercing gaze. And then the w

om

s, it startled me out of my reverie. I lean

red, "I

a mo

uck in the chest by the que

what bec

n me, I hesitated. "Eryx, you'r

yond the realm of a child, swept acros

d the justifications to keep the fra

re was t

way but distinct, reverb

nket as his eyes became open and

ody tensed as I froz

red as he said

ow, and looked out into the night. There was noth

ught sigh

be seen wandering through the da

s being circ

urgent as I said, "Er

t,

ow

he scurried to comply, his tin

e nearer, their sh

zed the person standing i

ss