The True Luna's Kiss

Chapter 21

Sirona felt a shadow behind her. She spun around, but there was no one there. A chill went down her spine.

"What is it?" Alice asked, noticing Sirona's reaction. Sirona just shook her head. Alice looked around to see what had caught Sirona's attention. There was nothing and no one, so she slid her arm around Sirona's shoulder and steered her down another path. Stroking Sirona's arm, Alice couldn't help noticing how cold she was, her skin like ice. She spotted a bench bathed in sunlight and moved towards it. Once seated, she turned to Sirona and held both of her hands in hers. Taking a deep breath, Alice asked the question that had been rattling around her head for days, months even.

"Have you always been mute?"

Sirona shook her head, her eyes downcast.

"Can you talk to your wolf?"

Sirona's eyes shot up to Alice. The fear that outsiders knew she had her wolf, knew that Briar was there, was so ingrained. It made her shake, and she wanted to run. Alice gripped her hands tighter.

"It's OK," Alice said gently. "I have seen your eyes flicker to black and back. I know you have your wolf. You don't need to be afraid here. No one will drug you or hurt you."

Sirona let out her breath and then nodded slowly. Alice smiled, a comforting, warm smile that allowed Sirona's heart to slow down.

"So you know how to speak, just not out loud."

Another nod from Sirona. Within seconds, Alice's hands were around Sirona's throat. Sirona pulled backwards, alarm bells ringing in her head. Her mouth dropped open, a silent scream ripping from her as she clamped her hands around Alice's wrists. Pushing her backwards she stared at her, Alice was smiling. Sirona's hands moved to her throat, stroking the skin where Alice had placed her hands. She felt horrified. Her friend had just attacked her and she was smiling about it. The smile that spread across Alice's face was huge, her eyes wide - she looked insane. A heartbeat of pressured silence hung between them before Alice held her hands up.

"Sorry," she said, and genuinely sounded it. "I should have asked, I just wanted to check something."

Sirona lowered her hands from her throat and c****d her head to one side, waiting for Alice to explain. Alice jumped to her feet and reached her hand out to Sirona.

"Come on," she said. "There has to be a medical office in this pack somewhere."

And she dragged Sirona behind her as they ran back into the house.

***

"Who are you so scared of losing, Gabriel?"

The silky voice filled the room effortlessly, from the perfect woman leaning against the bookcase.

"None of your damn business," Gabriel growled into the window, not moving at all to see who had found their way in. He didn't need to turn, he knew who stood behind him. The last person he wanted to see. The last person Max and Marco wanted to see either, as they both slipped out of the office.

"Oh, is that anyway to talk to an old friend?" The woman crossed her arms over her ample chest.

"Old? Yes." Gabriel snapped back. "Friend? Absolutely not." He turned his head to her again and the two glared at each other. "What are you doing here, Erinyes?"

"Do I need a reason to check in on my favourite?" Erinyes purred as she checked the immaculate fingernails on her right hand. Long, red and sharpened to a severe point, every part of this woman was a weapon. Just a weapon to be used in different battles.

"Last time I checked, I still had three weeks left!" Gabriel snarled, advancing on Erinyes, . She didn't flinch, or move. She just studied him, like he was an insect and she the spider. How she wanted to ensnare him in her web. Her eyes flickered to his right hand and back to his face again. Her smile widened into a sneer.

"Yes, you do have three weeks left. But from my recollection, you are approximately 30 marks down. Tut, tut. Letting our wolf heal us are you?" Erinyes reached out a hand and stroked a fingernail down Gabriel's face, catching him on the chin. She brought her nail to her mouth, and let the drop of blood land onto her tongue. "Too sweet!"

Gabriel growled. "My wolf has nothing to do with this, and don't worry about it. You will have your payment in full."

Erinyes smirked, licking her lips. "Every last one?"

Gabriel nodded. "I don't want to see you back here before then, do you understand me?" He growled again, stepping towards her, closing the space between them.

Erinyes just laughed. "Oh pumpkin, you couldn't keep me out of here even if you tried. You know I can go where I want. And I don't take orders from anyone, especially not a pup like you." She jabbed her fingernail into his chest, punctuating the last three words. It caused Gabriel to growl even lower, which caused Erinyes to laugh harder. "And you know you can't hurt me. You can't even injure me. So the Alpha, macho bullshit can take a hike!"

Gabriel glared at her. A thousand thoughts rushed through his head. He knew to attack her would be foolish, but it didn't stop him imagining his claws shredding her into pieces. Or his jaws clamped around her sleek neck, canines piercing her jugular and ripping her head off, the haze of red hair flying across the room. He took a deep breath, knowing that none of those could happen. She was too strong, too powerful. So he just stared at her. "Please," he whispered. "Please leave. You will have the full amount in three weeks."

Erinyes stared at him for a moment longer, then shrugged her shoulders. "OK," she said, taking a step closer to him. "But one more taste for the road." She ran her tongue up Gabriel's throat, over the cut on his chin.

... Just as the door flew open, and Sirona stood behind Alice and Max, staring at him.