Red Moon Secrets(30)

"It's not our problem until it's our problem again," I mutter dismissively.
"You sound more like a night stalker than a light witch right now," Gage growls, his murderous glare still casting daggers toward Kane.
"Because we're all so callous and cold?" Kane quips, accidentally making me feel like a bitch.
"I sound callous and cold?" I ask pitifully, bringing both of their eyes toward me.
Instant regret washes over Kane's face, but I speak before he can.
"I'm not cold.  I don't want anyone innocent to die, but it's time we make the councils do what they were designed to.  We're not strong enough to take on Castine, and that's what they expect.  They say they need his help, but they'll leave him alone if he finds her.  I'm not going to watch him die.  I can't."
Gage looks away when Kane pulls me onto his lap, gently kissing my forehead as he does so.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean it like that," he murmurs softly.
"We need to get back to Alyssa's house and regroup, plan against an attack that will come when Castine is finished refueling," Gage grumbles.  "We're going to have to face her again—one way or the other."
"We're going to my house," Kane murmurs, tensing.  "Alyssa doesn't want to go back to her home."
Thanks to a psychotic spirit, a crazy human witch bitch, and a crafty night stalker.
"Where's your place?"
"You can just follow us," Kane says through a sigh, reluctantly standing while still holding me to him.
"I'll wait outside."
Gage vaporizes, rushing away.  I'm sure this is hard for him, just as it was for Kane.  I hate it, but what am I supposed to do?  Never touch Kane because it's difficult for Gage?  I didn't ask for all this confusion.
I wish I'd never involved myself with Gage.  He saved me from my bond with Kane, and I should be grateful, but now I'm hurting him.  I love Kane.  I never loved the dark user who willingly used my vulnerability against me.  He knew he'd extinguish my light if we got too close.  How could he?
"You ready?" Kane asks, snapping me out of my sad reverie.
"Yeah.  Let's go play nice with Amy and Gage."
He snorts derisively, shaking his head.  "One day, it'll just be us.  I swear."
"I can't wait."
 
Amy is all snarls and icy death-glares.  I just ignore her, pretending she doesn't even exist.  Sierra and Deke have been slaving away on the cages downstairs, preparing for the red moon that will be here tonight.
"How long until this cycle of red moons is over?" I ask when Kane comes to wrap his arms around me.
At least I'm wearing jeans and a T-shirt now.  I feel a thousand times better in an outfit that doesn't beg to be noticed.
"Another month, maybe two.  It's been a while since there was a cycle this big.  We've still got five more ahead of us—at least."
Great.  Five more nights of watching over Amy.  Bitch.
"Slasher films and pie?" I ask, shrugging.
Kane smiles, nodding as he jogs backwards to pick up two movies and wave them around.  The sun isn't far from setting, so I hope they have those cages ready.
"I need to go help Sierra and Deke," Amy growls, agitated with the way Kane has completely refused to acknowledge her existence.
"We need more pie," Zee chirps while walking out of the kitchen.
Kane bursts out laughing when Zee sets down two pie plates—two empty pie plates.
"You ate both of those?" I gasp.
"It's been too long since I've had the bite.  Pie helps.  I'll go get some more."
"I'll go," Kane chuckles out, motioning for me to join him.
I gladly accept the offer to get out of the house.  Fortunately, Gage hasn't gotten here yet, which is great, considering dealing with Amy has already given me an ulcer.  Stupid, fanged, she-devil, bitch, monst—
"You ready?" Kane asks, holding the car door open for me.
Hell, I managed to walk all the way out here without even noticing.
"Yeah."
Kane does his best to make me laugh all the way to town.  If I'd never been brutally jarred into facing the fact he's a killer, I'd never have believed it.
"I'll grab the pies.  You hang out," he murmurs, kissing my hand.
I cut the music off and enjoy the silence as he rushes into the store.  It's so peaceful right now.  As I gaze around at all the people oblivious to the real world—not realizing they're not on the top of the food chain—I notice a large woman and several children walking by.
I tilt my head, curious.  The children are all so skinny—eyes sunken in, clothes hanging off of them.  They look dirty, malnourished, and neglected—five of them.  I open the door, ready to go blast that chubby bitch walking them into a house.