The Rising Moon (8 page)

"Yes, we did. He helped me with my car earlier."

“
You did?” Emi said as she flashed him a wide proud smile. “That was a very sweet of you.”

The band began to play a soft ballad. Emi’s brother, Fenix stood against the wrought iron banister of the indoor balcony with a microphone in hand. "I would like to welcome everyone to my beautiful sister’s fifteenth birthday. It’s a tradition in our family to celebrate this special day as my baby sister takes her first steps toward womanhood. But before she does I would like to ask her for a dance.”

A spot light was cast on Emi as she stood smiling widely at the attention. Lyle and I took a few steps back away. "What do you say? Can I have this dance?” He looked over to Emi and stretched his hand to her. "Sure,” She replied.

The guests applauded and cheered as they made their way to the dance floor. The photographer followed closely behind snapping pictures. Lyle and I stood against the darkened wall beneath a dimmed crystal sconce. Standing so close to him, I could smell the scent of his manly cologne. Its aroma made me feel warm and nervous.

"So, you're Lia,” he said, as he stood solid beside me. “I've heard so much about you.”

“
You did?”

“
Sure. My grandma and sister talk about you all the time.”

I was surprised and embarrassed at the same time.

“
They only spoke good things about you so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he smiled and dimples appeared on his cheeks over his well trimmed goatee.

“
But now I feel you know more about me than I do about you.” I said.

“
Well, what would you like to know?” he asked.

“
Which of Emi’s brothers are you?” I knew that was a dumb question, but she has so many brothers that I didn’t know which one was he.

He laughed. “I’m the seventh. The youngest of all my brothers.”

The ballad finished and the guests began clapping as Emi took a bow. The DJ began to play a more upbeat song and a crowd of guest filled the dance floor.

“
Would you like to dance?” He asked.

I almost lost my breath, “I don’t know how to dance.”

“
Good me neither,” he said with a relief look in his eyes. “Would you like to take a walk in the garden instead?”

I knew I should’ve returned home, but something about the glow in his eyes made me want to go with him. I nodded bashfully as he placed his strong arm around my shoulder and led me through a side door, to a vacant garden away from the guests and noise. We sat on a cold stone bench under a canopy of flowers. I couldn’t turn away from his brilliant face.

"You have beautiful eyes,” he said. “I hear the mark of the half moon reflected in the eye is supposed to be special.”

Did he know about the legend of the immortal wolf?

He stood up and reached for my hand. I looked up at him as he closed his hands over mine. After a second and a gentle squeeze he said, "open."

I did and in my hand appeared a beautiful crimson rose, "how did you do that?"

"Magic,” he said with a wide smile. He grabbed the rose and placed it gently in my hair.

"I really must go." I said, as I lowered my eyes.

"Can I see you again?” he asked.

I nodded with a smile, “yes.”

After a warm shower, I slipped on a red flannel nightgown and checked my cell phone. Ryan had left me seven text messages and three missed calls tonight. It’s been a week since I last spoke to him.

∞∞∞∞

The window flew open and a wind rushed in like an angry entity raiding the room. It snatched the dream catcher off the wall sending it flying out the window. I wrapped myself in a robe and headed out to find it. Once outside the night was suddenly calm. On the ground, I saw paw prints but no dream catcher. I followed the prints a few feet away from the cabin until the opening of the woods. The tree branches cracked in the light breeze, as a dark shadow quickly made its way toward me. I breathlessly turned and hurried back inside as quick as a slap.

Unable to fall asleep, I laid in bed still as a stone staring at the vacant wall where the dream catcher once hung. I reached for a book and began to read. Soon after, I fell asleep.

In my dream, I found myself alone in the woods dressed in a red gown. I bravely walked unafraid of the dark and unfamiliar forest. A cracking sound caught my attention. I stopped and stood still, enthralled as a wolf standing on his hind legs like a human, slowly made his way toward me.

My feet were rooted to the ground. I couldn’t run. It was as though I was under a paralyzing spell. The werewolf stood in front of me with nocturnal, deadly red eyes. His tall, muscled body was covered in black bristly hair. He circled around me. The smell of dirt and forest secreted from his pelt as he brushed his rough, clawed paw through my hair.

My breathing suppressed as I stood frozen, bewitched by this horrifying creature. He stood behind me with one arm wrapped around my waist. He gently tilted my head to the side and whispered in my ear.

"Close your eyes.”

Spell bounded, I did as he said. I felt the warmth of his breath as he opened his feral muzzle.

“
Don’t run. Wolves love to chase and this time you’re not getting away."

My nightmares were becoming more intense and more real. I awoke and found myself outside. I was lying naked inside a hollowed tree. Luckily, I previously stashed some clothes in the tree after waking up in there after Veena died. I quickly dressed and headed back home.

∞
chapter 11 ∞

MONDAY MORNING I didn't want to open my eyes after pressing the snooze button on the alarm clock for what felt like the tenth time. My body begged for more rest, while my head felt groggy and murky. The nightmares had returned making the past couple of nights were unbearable.

In the bathroom, I stared at the dark purple rings around my eyes. I applied makeup to try and cover them but it only highlighted them more. I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother trying to doll myself up. I pulled a green hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans from the closet. Once dressed, I placed my untamable curly hair in a low tail and headed out the door.

Today I rode to school alone but content at no longer having to chauffeur Emi or listen to her whine and complain about how stupid I am for ending my friendship with Ryan.

As I drove into the parking lot, I noticed Ryan’s truck parked beside my spot. I squint in confusion as I saw him step out of the truck as I pulled in. His arms wrapped around his broad chest. He was clearly upset. Unsure of what he was going to say I took a deep breath, opened the door and turned to walk toward the school building.

"What's the matter with you?” he asked. "You've avoided me last week and I thought okay fine, maybe you were upset because of the kiss so I gave you sometime to get over it. Then I called you all weekend and you never returned my calls."

"Don’t you get it? I already told you that I didn’t want to be friends.” I told myself to be strong even though I was dying in the inside.

He closed his eyes and sighed. And when he opened them again he said, “Why are you doing this to yourself. You shouldn’t push people away because you’re afraid or because you believe you’re cursed,” his voice was sincere, his eyes so sad.

I shook my head, but held his gaze, “You don’t know anything about me. How could you say I’m not cursed when I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved,” my lip trembled.

“
They didn’t die because of you,” he said wiping the tears that streamed down my face. “I wish I knew the words to say that’ll make you believe me but I don’t. All I can do is promise you that I will always be here. I know you don’t feel the same for me as I feel for you, but I would rather have you as a friend than nothing at all.”

I bit my lip hard and rubbed away another tear. I loved him, I really did but just as friends. I felt a connection with him, as if something greater than us brought us together. It was a strange yet securing closeness I’ve never felt with anyone else before… except Veena.

“
Can we be friends again?" His eyes instantly hopeful, but reserved. I’ve been miserable without him. I needed him as much as he needed me. I smiled at him and he pulled me toward him and hugged me so hard he nearly knocked the breath out of me.

It was a refreshing feeling to have my best friend back and not having to hide from him anymore. I swung my bag over my shoulder as we both made our way through the glass doors at the end of the day.

Lyle stood underneath a tree outside the school yard. His green eyes sparkled like flickering flames in the sunlight when I looked at him, “Little Red,” he shouted, waving at me.

I walked toward him with Ryan following close behind.

“
What are you doing here?” I asked.

“
I was hoping to see you again,” he said with a smile.

I blushed. Ryan wrapped his arms across his chest and cleared his throat.

“
Uh---Lyle, this is Ryan.” I introduced.

Lyle reached to shake Ryan’s hand. Then he turned to look at me, ignoring Ryan’s serious stare, “Is it ok if I stop by your house tonight?”

“
Sure,” I said, feeling myself smile. He had a way of spellbinding me with his olive green eyes. Whatever spell I was under made it hard for me to turn and walk to my car. I stood frozen, simply smiling at him while my heart thundered through my chest.

“
We have to go.” Ryan said standing between us, braking me loose from the trance.

I blinked back to my senses. He wrapped his arm around me and stared hard at Lyle with irritation flickering in his eyes as he walked me to my car. He opened the door and on the driver seat were two roses. I picked them up and looked over at Lyle who smiled back to me. Ryan rolled his eyes and headed toward his truck.

“
What’s the matter with you?” I asked as I followed him.

“
I don’t like what’s his name,” he replied. His lips were pressed together and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was jealous of Lyle. “I want you to stay away from him.”

“
What?” My face was red with anger. “You can’t tell me who I can or can’t see. Who do you think you are?”

“
I know I’m no one to tell you what to do but I don’t trust him.”

“
You don’t even know him,” I said wrapping my arms across my chest.

“
And you do?” He fired back.

I rolled my eyes. I was fuming inside, because I couldn’t believe the nerve of Ryan trying to forbid me from seeing Lyle. “I’m going to see him whether you like it or not, so I suggest you accept it.”

Ryan didn’t respond. He had a faraway look in his eyes as he climbed into the truck and sped out the parking lot.

∞∞∞∞

I plopped on my bed. I tried calling Ryan a few times but he wasn’t answering his phone. “Fine!” I yelled as I threw my phone across the room.

I stared impassively at the ceiling until a cracking sound coming from the window caught my attention. I walked over to see what it was. Lyle stood outside with Storm and Star at his side.

"I hope I’m not disturbing you," he said.

I shook my head and smiled.

“
Care to join me for a ride?” He asked pointing at the black and chestnut horses.

A ride with my favorite horse was exactly what I needed. If I stayed in my room, brewing over Ryan and his jealousy, I’ll surly go nuts.

“
Sure. Give me a minute.”

I rushed to the bathroom sink and splashed some cold water on my face. My hair was a wild mess, but it wasn’t something a little gel and water couldn’t fix. I ran my finger through it, disentangling some curls into place.

Lyle stood tall between the two magnificent horses. He wore his hair loose to the nape and his hypnotizing eyes held mystery in their depth as he gazed at me.

"You look beautiful,” he said.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile as wide as his or maybe even wider.

"I heard she was your favorite horse," he said pointing to Star.

I nodded as I walked up to Star and gently brushed my hand on her strong shoulders. She smelled of cedar and hay.

“
Star must really like you. She usually doesn’t allow anyone near her…except for me.”

“
And now me,” he said with a smile. She lifted her head and looked at me with her wide-set eyes as I tighten the saddle straps. To hell with Ryan and his jealousy if Star trusted Lyle, then I will too.

He led us into the woods. Star huffed as I gently pulled on the lead rope signaling her to walk beside Storm. The smell of the forest was crisp and fresh as the breeze gently brushed through the trail of trees. The ride was quiet and refreshing. Lyle pulled on Storm, signaling him to halt at an open path of soft wild grass. He dismounted Storm and made his way toward me.