Crimson Moon (11 page)

"A part of me can't believe this is happening.” I exhaled with a shallow laugh. “I keep thinking any moment I'll wake up."

I leaned over and glanced out the glass. The moon was overhead now, shining above us. So much had changed in the course of one day, it was difficult to grasp.

"Hopefully this will do. I don't want to pinch you."

He reached across the seat, gently squeezing my leg.

I lifted his hand off my lap and into the air, pressing our palms together. The outline of my hand was completely eclipsed by his. I lifted my fingers, accidentally tickling his skin. He alternated between watching me and the road.

His face softened as I met his eyes, and he smiled.

[Back to Table of Contents]

When I woke my head was nestled in between the unforgiving leather seat and the chilled window. The moon continued to shine overhead, illuminating the sky in white. I wasn't sure how much time passed or when I'd drifted off.

I moved my head gingerly, leaning to the left and right to work out the kinks. My neck protested the movement and I winced at the agonizingly tight muscles.

I glanced at the driver's seat—Caleb was gone.

"Did you tell her?"

Derek's voice was so soft I barely made it out. I strained to listen. The speaking was coming from the back of the truck, along with the sounds of scuffling feet.

"No,” Caleb's voice grumbled back.

"Shit man, why not?"

I heard more shuffling and then Caleb, angry this time. “It's too much too fast."

"But she feels it too, man. It's obvious—"

"Boys,” Billy interrupted them. “Talk about this later. There ain't no reason to keep her sleeping like that in the truck when there's a perfectly good bed inside."

Derek mumbled something and I heard footsteps approaching. Caleb appeared at the door, peering through the window.

His eyes grew wide when he saw me fully awake and smiling.

"How long have you been awake?"

I feigned a yawn and stretched my arms, achy muscles jarring to life. “I just woke up."

He frowned and extended his hand to help me out of the truck. I thanked him and stepped down, looking behind us at the cabin.

It was exactly like a framed picture you can buy during our local flea markets. The dark sky provided the perfect opulent backdrop behind the tall cabin. A sturdy porch wrapped all the way around the lower level, intricately carved spindles below matching the ones along the steps. The moon was resplendent, touching the wood and giving it a gray hue, highlighting the ground. A large pond shimmered in back, sparkling in the moonlight, the breeze creating small ripples along the surface.

"It's lovely.” I marveled at the sight.

Billy murmured an agreement. He walked up the stairs and pushed open the door. Light flooded over the porch and down the stairs.

"I'll show you around,” Caleb said, taking my arm to guide me onto the porch.

A stairway was the first thing that greeted us. It was directly across from the door, rails curved outward at the sides and along the bottom. The brown banisters were held aloft by dark twisting pieces of black metal.

"This way.” Caleb stepped away, walking to the left.

In the center of the room was a massive pool table, covered in bright red felt. A zebra pattern rug was directly beneath the elaborately clawed legs, the black and white stripes meshing amazingly well with the wooden walls and flooring. A couple of tables with tall stools sat in the corners, and a rack stocked with cues was attached to the wall. There was a jukebox in the front of the room, exactly like the one I'd seen at the Pit.

"Now, for the kitchen.” Caleb walked past the table, toward the back, pulling aside a sliding door.

I followed him through and he flipped a switch, flooding the space in light. The ceramic tile was an intricate splash of black and white intermingled. Black cabinets and a white marble counter ran the length of the wall, stopping above a sink and dishwasher.

I noticed something strange about the wall and stepped forward. Caleb looked in the direction of my stare.

"Ah.” He smiled, stepping over and unhinging the wood to reveal a large window. He motioned to the shutters and said, “They're all over the house."

He walked across the kitchen, past the door we'd entered from and two large silver refrigerators. He slid open another door that led into a different room.

Situated onto the left wall was a large plasma screen television. A rounded tan couch facing the screen took up the rest of the space, complete with a large glass table covered with various remote controls arranged in order from large to small.

"Bathroom is there.” Caleb pointed to a door along the back wall. “Now for upstairs."

The rooms formed a perfect circle and we stood again at the foot of the staircase. He motioned for me to go first and I trudged up, counting twenty stairs total. When we reached the top he pointed out Billy's room, then Derek's, and the other bathroom.

"Over here,” he said, opening the door in front of us and reaching inside to flip a switch, “Is yours."

His distinguishable scent was all over the masculine space. I looked at the large bed. The backboard reached the ceiling, surrounded by stained mahogany walls. A matching bookshelf was to the left, multiple books cramming the shelves with the exception of the middle, which was adorned with various pictures. The only other furniture was a black stereo cabinet and a nightstand near the bed.

I shook my head. “I can't take your room, Caleb."

"You are,” he stated firmly.

I walked to the bookshelf and bent down to peer into the frames. The same people were displayed in most of the photographs.

"My sister, Samantha.” Caleb pointed to the picture in the middle. The resemblance was astounding. Her hair was the same shade of black, hanging in long curls down her back, deep blue eyes sparkling at the camera. She appeared younger than me, but I couldn't be certain.

"She's gorgeous."

I wondered if she had also inherited the werewolf trait but was afraid to ask. I stared at the image longer than I intended to, thinking she would reveal herself if I studied the image long enough.

"She is, and yes, she is like me,” Caleb answered the unspoken question.

"Can you read minds now?” I held my breath, cheeks flaming.

"No,” he chuckled softly, smiling. “You just have a knack with questions.” He pulled out the largest frame from the back. “This is my Mom and Dad."

He held it out, placing the frame carefully in my hands. His Mothers short brown hair and tiny frame reminded me of a pixie. I gazed down at Caleb's Dad and my mouth loosened, jaw going lax.

This is what Caleb would look like years from now. They were the mirror image of one another.

"She's beautiful and he's...you,” I stammered lamely.

"I know."

I returned the picture to him and watched as he put it back. There was no tension, no worry. I was witnessing Caleb for the first time—his family bringing out the vulnerable side he kept so fastidiously hidden. I liked him like this, no false pretenses, no fear of what other part lurked underneath the surface. No concerns about anything.

Just the two of us, being ourselves.

"I don't know what music you like but I have a decent selection."

He walked over to the stereo, pulling out a CD case and unzipping it. He put it on top of the black comforter as he sat down. He smiled, patting the space beside him.

"Only if you promise to be a gentleman.” I waited, standing still for added effect.

He placed his hand over his heart, masking a grin. “You have my word."

I smiled and climbed up, sinking into the feather comforter.

"What music do you like?” he asked as he flipped through the pages, his fingers tracing the outline of random CD's.

"Almost everything,” I answered, adding quickly, “Except country."

Caleb lifted his brow humorously. “Just don't tell Billy that. You might break his heart."

"What about you? What do you like?” I leaned toward the folder, looking inside the neatly stacked sleeves. The CD's were placed just above the covers.

"Here.” He passed it over, our hands brushing as he waited for me to get a grip.

A gentle rapping sounded on the wall and I looked up as Derek walked in. His eyes flickered back and forth between us.

"Sam's on the phone."

"I'll be back.” Caleb rose from the bed, striding out the door and down the stairs. I heard his feet as he shuffled around the corner.

Derek walked to the bed, glancing down at my hands. “Coldplay?” he laughed and winked at me. “He must keep that kind of garbage around to impress you ladies."

"And just how many ladies has he had up here?” I asked half jokingly.

"None.” Derek stared at me, ensuring I couldn't mistake his seriousness.

The confession made me both elated and uncomfortable at the same time. I pretended to look at the CD's, flipping the pages nervously, fingers quivering. I could feel him staring and it was hard not to shift under the scrutiny.

"What you're experiencing is totally normal,” Derek said quickly, glancing toward the door, “The rush and intensity, all of it."

"How did you know that?” I didn't attempt to mask my shock, allowing the folder to drop limply into my lap.

"Ask Caleb, he's off the phone.” Derek lowered his head and walked out of the room, swerving to avoid Caleb as he topped the stairs, whistling as he went.

"I thought you might be hungry.” Caleb tossed a bag of beef jerky on the bed and handed me a can of Pepsi.

"I'm a Coke girl.” I crinkled my nose distastefully, accepting the can. I hated Pepsi. It left a strange after taste in my mouth that I couldn't stand.

"Have you ever heard the expression about beggars and choosers?” he teased, arching an eyebrow.

"You know, I think I have heard that somewhere,” I laughed.

He walked to the closet, opening the door and stepping inside. I heard rustling that continued for a few seconds before he appeared again, closing the door behind him with a bundle of clean clothing folded under his arm.

"I need a shower.” He motioned in the direction of the bathroom. “I won't be long."

"Wait, what did Sam say?” I hoped he was on his way. I had so many questions to ask. There was so much I still didn't understand.

Caleb turned, hesitating as he answered, “They ransacked the hideout, destroying everything inside.” He was holding back, not telling me everything.

"But there's something else, isn't there?"

"Tristan got out. They don't know where he is."

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. There wasn't anything to say really.

Caleb walked from the room and around the corner, in the direction of the bathroom. I heard a loud click as he closed the door and released the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

Tristan, whoever he was, was still out there. I hoped he was too busy with his own problems to be concerned with me. Besides, I was safe here. Only an idiot would try to come inside a house full of werewolves.

I rolled my eyes at myself.

And what exactly does that say about you, Emma?

The shower started and I climbed off the bed, placing the unopened can of Pepsi as well as the jerky on the nightstand. I pulled the heavy jacket from my arms, draping it on the end of the bed.

The bandage on my forearm was still clean but a small brown spot had formed in the middle. My eyes ran over my ruined blouse. The blood had spilled and dried around the sleeve, crusting under the arm, causing each brush of the garment against my skin to itch.

For a moment, I considered walking into Caleb's closet and grabbing something from inside. But I was reluctant to enter his private space without asking first. Instead I walked down the stairs, in search of Billy and Derek.

I found them reclined on the large sofa with their legs sprawled out. Derek's elbows were bent, hands clasped behind his head. Ironically enough, they were watching a bad horror movie. I could make out people in robes carrying a coffin across a marshy moor. The sound was so low I could barely hear it.

"Did you ask him?” Derek's question startled me. He didn't turn around, face glued to the television.

My cheeks burned in embarrassment yet again. No one could ever accuse Derek of beating around the bush.

I cleared my throat, ignoring the question. “No. Actually, I was wondering..."

He flipped his chin up, peering over his shoulder. “Woooonddddering?” he drew the question out and waited.

I motioned to my blouse, pulling at the cloth along the bottom. “Do either of you have an extra shirt or something I can borrow?"

"Absolutely!” Derek was off the couch in a flash.

He rushed up the stairs, bounding along three at a time, reappearing in seconds and handing me a plain grey t-shirt. He seemed really excited for some reason, almost hyper.

"Go ahead and change, the bathroom's right there.” He motioned happily toward the door.

"Derek...” Billy warned with a throaty growl.

"What?” Derek admonished innocently. “She asked!"

Billy shook his head, returning to the movie.

I frowned at Derek before walking into the restroom. I peeled the blouse off, pulling the t-shirt over my head. It was several sizes too large, hanging well above my knees. I sighed as I threw the blouse into the garbage—it had been one of my favorites—and arranged my hair on my shoulders before opening the door, flicking off the light and stepping outside. I could hear Caleb's voice as he came down the stairs.

"There she is.” Derek's entire face lit up like a garish Christmas tree.

Caleb spun around, the grin on his face slowly turning to a frown. He stopped drying his hair with the towel, lowering his arms. His nose flared as he took long steps toward me.

"Take...that...off,” he growled.

"Excuse me?” I was confused but somehow equally annoyed. First Derek was acting crazy, and now him.

Did the full moon come out when I wasn't looking?

Derek started to laugh. I turned from him to Caleb, trying to figure out what new joke I didn't understand. Billy was shaking his head, grumbling something under his breath.