The Waning Moon Read online

  “He kissed me when he was flying me back.”

  “Are your lips the only thing he touched?”

  “The only thing that wasn’t necessary. It’s not a big deal. He’s committed to his horny vampire schtick and tries the seduction techniques on everyone. Including you. If we weren’t here, he’d probably be making eyes at the nearest tree hoping a dryad would pop out.”

  Isaac kissed me again, not lightly this time. I stepped backwards a few steps, pulling him with me, until my ass hit the picnic table. I let go of Isaac for a second and hopped up on the table. I pulled him into me again, and found when he was back in my arms he’d dropped his shirt along the way somewhere. I ran my hands over his bare skin, lightly scoring him with my nails. He gasped and then pushed me back onto the table, climbing on top of me. I tried to shimmy out of my shirt, but managed to get it stuck halfway off my head. It never happened like this in the movies.

  Isaac was laughing uproariously by the time we managed to get me unstuck from my uncooperative clothing. I punched him lightly in the arm. “Laughing at my difficulties is not the way to get laid.”

  He stopped and arranged his face into a sober expression. “You’re right. This is serious business.”

  I started giggling, and we laughed until we were out of breath.

  When my laughter ran its course, I reached around behind me and unhooked my bra. Isaac watched with interest as I slowly revealed my breasts. He reached up and cupped them reverently in his hands, kissing one puckered nipple and then the other. He spent a great deal of time kissing and biting and teasing. I reached up, wrapped my legs around his waist, and pulled him tight against me. I tried to arch into him, but he disentangled himself and climbed off the table.

  “What are you doing? That is not okay.”

  “I thought it might be easier if we were more naked.”

  I thought about it for a second. “You’re right.” I unbuttoned and unzipped my jeans, then lifted my hips. Isaac reached over and pulled them off and tossed them on the ground. I slid my panties off and tossed them in the direction my jeans had gone. He climbed back on top of me, and this time when I wrapped my legs around him, he didn’t pull away. We kissed and teased until neither of us could stand it anymore. Finally, he rose up and plunged inside me. I gasped as he filled me, but before I could get used to the sensation, he was moving and everything intensified. I bit down on Isaac’s shoulder as I came, and he howled, sounding more like a wolf than a man.

  When it was over, we lay gasping with him still inside me.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, examining the bite mark in the flickering firelight.

  “Your puny teeth can’t hurt me.”

  I bared my teeth at him and growled, but he laughed and disentangled our limbs. He rolled off me and just kept rolling. I heard a bump as he hit the bench of the picnic table and then a muffled whump as he hit the ground. I sat up and peered down at him. He was sitting on the ground shaking with laughter.

  “Even covered in dirt, you are a beautiful man,” I said. His nudity stirred the banked fires of my lust. I couldn’t believe this gorgeous creature was mine.

  He smiled, and his white teeth were a bright contrast in the darkness. “I’d better wash up, though. Sticky and dirty is not a good combination.”

  I nodded, “I’ll come with you.” I got off the table, grabbed a couple of towels from the camper, and followed him to the campground showers. We cleaned off, managed to avoid any shower shenanigans, and went back to the camper. Isaac banked the fire and we went into the camper to get some sleep. Eventually.

  The ten days leading up to the full moon were an exhausting blur. I worked on building an even more powerful magic weir with Florence. I practiced knife throwing and hand-to-hand combat with Isaac. And at sunset each evening, Raj came to me for our swordsmanship. I had my rapier and a couple of months of combat practice. He carried a khanda and centuries of practical application. He was fast and skilled, and it was all I could do to last five minutes against him without being “killed.”

  I practiced with my actual rapier, since, as he said, it was almost impossible to accidentally remove his head in combat practice. He used a practice blade. It was metal, but without a honed point or edge. It still hurt like hell every time he made it through my meager defenses and whacked me with it. Everywhere the metal touched skin, I developed a rash to go with my bruises. My iron allergy was growing the more I was exposed to it.

  Each evening, after I was exhausted from sparring, I shifted into my dragon and flew closer and closer to the gate. I wanted to test my control while I was tired to make sure I could maintain it. Shifting forms had another benefit: when I shifted back to my human form, most of my cuts and bruises had healed.

  My clothes were hanging off a frame that’d never needed help filling out a tank top before. There wasn’t enough food in the world, and I was dreaming about taking naps.

  “You need to rest,” Florence said, interrupting me as I was about to nod off into my fifth meal of the day.

  “I can’t. I’m not ready.”

  “You’ll never feel ready. That’s life. There’s always one more thing you could do to prepare. But for now, take a break.”

  I stretched and prepared to revel in the thirty minutes of alone time I would have before Isaac returned. Before I could get too used to the rare feeling, Arduinna appeared.

  “May I approach, Your Highness?”

  “Of course,” I said, as regally as I could in my cut-offs and tank top. “What’s shakin’?” I knew my informality would bug her. Sure enough, one muscle next to her left eye was twitching. I smiled, triumphant.

  “I have people in place who can protect the nuclear reactors around the world. There are hundreds of places that need protection, and it was not easy to get them all here. They are not all in place yet, but the ones in this region of this country will be in place by Samhain.”

  “How will you do it?”

  “We will construct time bubbles to slow down the effects of the reactors until we can figure out how to dismantle them safely. We cannot start, though, while there are still people who would notice and interfere. That is the other thing I am here to tell you. In order to protect the world from a sudden nuclear disaster, we need to tell the world why. Or at least part of why. Next week, there will be an announcement. The supernatural populations will no longer be living in secret.”

  I stared at Arduinna. That wasn’t what I’d expected.

  “This won’t end well.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “People will panic. There will be riots. We will be hunted.”

  “I do not think it will be that bad. There are several supernaturals in positions of power in this government and many others. They will keep order.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true. Have you seen X-Men?”

  “I do not know what that is.”

  “It is a movie—actually a series of movies—about how the American people react when they find out a portion of the population is supernaturally inclined. Spoiler: they don’t react well.”

  “But if it is a movie, it is fiction.”

  “Technically, yes. But in reality? People are assholes. They’re afraid of what they don’t understand, and they shoot the things that make them afraid. It’s how I feel about spiders. I don’t understand why they need so many legs and lurk in my bedroom, so I squish them. I don’t want to be America’s spider.”

  “The only other way to make this work, then, will result in the death or modification of hundreds and thousands of people. Without announcing the boundaries that keep the magic from this world are breaking, we cannot convince people to stop flying their airplanes and to let us in to protect their nuclear power. Planes will crash. Again. You will not be able to stop air traffic in this area of the country like you did in the last. We will still be able to protect the nuclear reactors, but we will need to trap the workers inside as well. It is unknown whether they will survive that process.
r />   “It will be your choice, Your Highness.”

  I stared at her, feeling helpless. I gathered my resolve, steeled my backbone, and thought it through. “If there are already supernaturals in several positions of power in the government, can’t they give the orders, or push things through, to give us the results we want without alarming the public?”

  “You would have your government take major actions like this, act secretive, and not share the information? Won’t that alarm your countrymen?” I was beginning to believe Arduinna spent a lot more time on this plane than she let on. She was leading me by the nose and it seemed likely I would arrive at the same conclusion she and several others already had.

  “Yes, but they could blame it on terrorists. That’s what they do every time there’s something inexplicable.”

  “It might be possible, but there are enough people who are not supernatural who would have to be involved in the process that leaks are bound to happen. And they will happen while it is still possible to broadcast their images across the world. People will want to be seen.”

  “So a controlled announcement, eh?”

  “The president is Fae. A half-blood, anyway.” Arduinna briefly looked like she’d smelled something foul. I guess her hatred of the half-bloods wasn’t contained to Finn. “There are members of Congress that are shifters, and a few top-ranked military officers are vampires, although I don’t know how they manage.”

  “My name, my face, and my companions’ identities won’t be revealed?”

  “No. We do not wish you further hindered.”

  “Fuck. My choices are to either let a bunch of people die and/or be trapped in radioactive time bubbles or to tell the world Twilight is real?”

  “I hope you’re team Edward,” Raj said, appearing behind me.

  “Not until you start sparkling in the sunlight, vamp. I’m not sure how to process the knowledge you’ve seen Twilight.”

  “I go to all the vampire movies. They make me laugh.”

  Arduinna was still looking at me expectantly.

  “Can I have twenty-four hours to consider?”

  “Yes. I will return tomorrow night for your orders.” She turned to go.

  “Wait.” She turned back towards me.

  “My apologies, Highness. I know I was not dismissed.”

  “I don’t care if you leave before you’re formally dismissed.”

  “I know, but if you ever take the throne, you would have to punish me for my impertinence, or else others would either assume we were lovers, giving me special rights or they would try to take advantage of your informal nature. And that would be bad. Better I retain good habits now.”

  “Are you asking me to bed?” I teased.

  Arduinna flushed, although I suspected it was more ire than embarrassment. I guessed she wanted to say something ridiculously rude, but was holding back, due to the whole “power of decapitation” thing I had going on.

  “I’m teasing. I wanted to ask if you’d had any word on Finn.”

  “I have not seen him.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  She didn’t elaborate further.

  I heaved a melodramatic sigh. “Arduinna, have you heard any news or rumors or whispers about Finn’s whereabouts or motivations?”

  “You’re getting good at this, Highness.”

  I was losing patience. “Answer the question.”

  “Yes. He was seen leaving the palace of the Dark Queen. Since he left with all appendages intact, it is believed he is allied with her, rather than with your father as previously believed. I do not know if he was always on her side and played the Light Court for a fool, or if your behavior drove him to this course of action.”

  “I didn’t drive him to anything. His own insecurities and jealousy may have driven him places, but I won’t take the blame for his shortcomings. Even if I’d loved him truly and passionately, something would have happened that would’ve caused him to make inexcusably bad decisions. Perhaps he would’ve decided that, for my own protection, I needed to be part of the Dark Queen’s court. He’s not grounded in reality. I wonder how much of that is a character flaw, and how much of that was created while you and yours were “grooming” him for the task of being my keeper?”

  Arduinna shifted on her feet and looked at the ground. Interesting. I’d struck a nerve. However he’d been groomed, it hadn’t been pleasant. That might explain his lack of loyalty to my father.

  “Any idea what he and the Queen discussed?”

  “I have not heard anyone repeat their conversation.”

  “Let’s assume I’m not an idiot and then you can answer the question.” Raj moved restlessly behind me. I reached back and took his hand. Being between two powerful creatures was nerve-wracking. I needed Raj at my side, not my back. He moved forward to stand beside me and tension drained from my body. Another ally, and one this powerful, would hopefully make Finn think twice about fucking with me and mine.

  “I will be by your side as long as you’ll have me,” Raj murmured.

  “There was someone in the court while they met,” Arduinna ground out. “He only revealed Finn was there. He has told no one of the conversation he overheard. He is a double-agent and is trying to maintain his cover. The queen believes him to be betraying your father, and we would like to keep her beliefs intact.”

  “Do you believe he would share information if that knowledge would keep me and my companions safe?”

  “He would share knowledge if it would keep you safe. That is his prime directive.”

  “You’re a Trekkie?”

  Arduinna’s lips curled up slightly and her greenish-tinged teeth flashed in what I could only assume was a grin.

  “Fine.” She visibly relaxed. Once again, someone I relied on knew more than they were letting on. At least Arduinna couldn’t lie. I looked at her, trying to see where she’d led me astray with her words, but couldn’t. I waved my hand. “You may go, Arduinna.”

  She bowed and disappeared into the trees.

  I was still holding Raj’s hand when I heard my car coming towards us. I tried to let go with casual indifference, but he tightened his grip. “I meant what I said, Eleanor,” Raj said. “I will stand by your side as long as you will let me.”

  I looked up at him. “Why are you playing this game with me?”

  “You’re interesting. I haven’t met someone interesting in a long, long time.”

  “Things are going to get dicey.”

  “You’ll take the course that results in the least human casualties, even if it makes your life more difficult. I’m prepared for dicey. It won’t be the first time I’ve stood at the front lines with the commander of a people.”

  I didn’t get a chance to reply before Isaac approached. He looked at our clasped hands, took a deep breath, and ignored it. Pointedly. “I smell Arduinna. What’s going on?”

  I filled them in on the entirety of the conversation with Arduinna. Every couple of minutes I tried to free my hand from Raj without seeming like I was getting uncomfortable, but he wouldn’t let go. Finally, I said, exasperated, “Raj! Can you please let go of my hand?”

  He looked surprised. “But of course, my sweet! I had no idea you wanted me to let go. You had only to ask.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed. Isaac did not.

  When I finished my narrative, Isaac looked thoughtful.

  “I must inform you, Isaac, Eleanor is considering joining Team Edward.”

  Isaac looked confused. I started to explain the movie to him, and he waved his hand at me. “I’ve seen it. I tried to catch up on all the werewolf movies. They make me laugh.”

  I started laughing. He looked at me. “What?”

  “That’s exactly what Raj said.”

  “I’m confused,” Isaac said. “You seem more like a Team Jacob kind of girl.”

  “This is the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had,” I said. “Sorry, Raj. If it makes you feel better, I preferred Spike to Oz.”r />
  “I am content with this,” Raj said.

  “What do I do?”

  “It’s your decision, Princess,” Isaac said.

  “Okay. But you are two of my top royal advisors. What would you advise me to do?”

  “What does your gut tell you?” Isaac asked.

  My stomach growled. “My gut tells me it’s time for dinner.”

  We ate, and chatted about movies and television shows. Raj and Isaac had a friendly argument about the realism of various supernatural creatures in the media, while I drank a glass of wine and watched their faces animate in the firelight. I wished Florence was here. I heard tires crunching on the gravel, and realized it was Florence.

  “I wish I had a magical camper that was bigger on the inside and didn’t require a gasoline powered car to haul it around,” I said.

  Raj and Isaac looked at me.

  “I wished Florence was here, and now she is. I thought I should strike again while my wishing power was on.”

  Florence joined us by the fire. I caught her up to date on Arduinna’s news, and then leaned back while the conversation turned to the mundane. I felt comfortable, secure, relaxed, even. I felt like I was home.

  Chapter Eleven

  I WOKE THE next morning wrapped in Isaac’s arms. I’d gone to bed without making a decision about what I would tell Arduinna, but the reality was I didn’t have a choice. If I looked back, all of my choices—with the exception of one—were non-choices.

  I slipped out of Isaac’s arms, showered and dressed, and followed the scent of freshly brewing coffee back to the camper. Isaac truly was the best thing that’d happened to me as a result of all the other crazy shit.

  He smiled as I approached and as always, his intense gaze gave me butterflies and inappropriate thoughts.

  I heard the crunch of gravel under car wheels. “Sounds like Florence is here with breakfast.”

  Later that day, I headed into town to pull out my daily cash maximum from the ATM. I got back in the car and said, “My bank balance is not decreasing. In fact, it’s increasing. I printed a receipt, and it doesn’t show any transactions. No deposits. No charges. Nothing.”