Page 7 of Broken Moon

The three humans were standingexactly as I’d left them, frozen and silent, their eyes wide and empty in thebright moonlight. I crouched beside the demon pile and opened my case.

Everything inside the beautifulwooden box was blessed or touched with power. Some of the items were hundredsof years old, and all of them would hurt a nonhuman. Including me, if I wasn’tcareful. Usually, I would have opened the case in the car, selected a fewitems, then left the kit in the car where it’d be safe. But I didn’t think I’dbe facing any vampires or fighting any other demons tonight, so I took theentire kit.

I selected a tiny vial of holywater, removed the stopper, and sprinkled it over the pile of demon ash,sticks, and dry leaves.

“Shit,” I yelled, scramblingaway when the entire pile forcefully ignited. My face felt scorched, and Ilifted my fingers to my eyebrows to make sure they hadn’t been burned off inthe explosion. Thankfully, they were still intact. The scent of sulfur lingeredin the air.

I stood and faced the trio,watching as they broke from their invisible chains. One of the men gave me andthe still burning fire an almost blank look, then began running in the oppositedirection. His gait was odd and lopsided as his mind attempted to catch up withhis body.

“I’ll give you a ride,” Icalled, but he ran on. I didn’t think he even heard me.

The remaining two clutched ateach other, shock in their eyes. Neither said a word, but they shrank away fromme after I collected my hunting kit and approached them. I held up my freehand, palm toward them, like I’d just cornered a frightened dog.

“My car isn’t far,” I said,keeping my voice calm. “I’ll give you both a ride home.”

The woman looked around,finally, her gaze landing on the now empty log they’d used for an altar.“Where’s the girl?”

“The girl?” I asked, unable tokeep the derision from my tone. “You don’t even know the name of the person youwere about to hand over to a fucking demon?”

“She wanted to do it,” the youngman murmured, but he didn’t look at me when he spoke.

“Yeah,” I said. I shook myhead, then turned to stride away. “Let’s go. And don’t for a minute think I’mnot going to lecture you idiots all the way home.”

I didn’t look back, but I couldalmost feel them staring at each other, debating on whether to follow me ortake off as their friend had done. Finally, I heard them creeping along afterme, and when I got to my car, they were not far behind.

I ushered them into the back seat,placed my kit in the front passenger floorboard—simply because I didn’t trustthem not to reach over the seat and touch it—then climbed under the steering wheeland started the car.

“Okay,” I said as I backed ontothe road. “Let’s get a couple of things straight…”

I kept my word and lecturedthem all the way home. Neither made a peep except to answer when I asked aquestion. But in the end, when I dropped them both at an apartment building,the man hesitated.

“You don’t have to worry.” Hiseyes were serious, and I could see the truth in his face. “We’re done messingwith the supernatural. We did it for Jessie.” He gestured at the woman, whostood shivering with her head down. “Her ex is—”

“I know why you did it,” Iinterrupted. “But that kid was very nearly left without a mother tonight. Ifyou’re so worried about your baby ending up with a monster, why would you riskdying and making sure of it?”

She looked at me, finally. “Iwas desperate.”

“Where’s the kid now?”

“With my parents.”

I sighed. “Your ex. I’ll needhis address.”

She stared, her lips parted,unsure. When she was silent for a second too long, the guy beside her gave methe address.

I generally refused to getmixed up in human affairs unless a supernatural was fucking with them, but Iwanted to have a look at Jessie’s ex. I’d check him out tomorrow. Tonight, Iwanted a hot shower, some dinner—my wolf might be hobbled but she could eat likea bear—and a nice soft bed.

I’d nearly forgotten aboutLucille.

I walked into my little houseand leaned back against the door, the handle of my case in my right hand. Istood there for a few moments, taking in the feel of the house, listening, absorbing.I was suspicious by nature, and when I wasn’t overwhelmed by a full moon andthe agony inside me, I was careful.

Not even my house was safe fromthe creatures of the night, creatures most humans were unaware existed. I heardthe clock ticking on the wall, the sporadic street traffic, and down the block,the sound of a garbage truck.

I glanced at the clock. 4:27am. God, I was tired. But the agony of the full moon was dissipating, and bythe time I woke up at noon or so, I would be back to my normal self. Still inpain—that never left—but not in agony.

Someone tapped on the door atmy back and I jerked away from it and to the side, my blade already in my hand.I set my kit down gently and closed my eyes. I inhaled, and a familiar scent,one I no longer smelled regularly, slid into my brain.

Wolf.