In the Light of the Moon (Dark War Chronicles) (14 page)

"This is so going to get me in trouble." He groaned, but
pulled a chair up in front of her. "I want you to come to me the next full
moon."

"What?"

"I can help you. Lucius may want you stripped of your control, but
it puts my people and humans in harms way. I refuse to have that." He
touched her cheek so she would look at him. "War is upon us, and we need
you to have control so you can protect yourself and help us if needed."

She shook her head. "I have no part in this war. I'm Lucius tool.
No one really cares about the panthers, they leave us alone."

"You think that's true? The Black Moon clan is already starting to
ally with other cruel rogue groups."

She froze at the name of the clan. "How do you know this?"

"They were in here talking to members the other night. Why do you
look so worried about that?"

"I don't know what you mean."

He chuckled. “You’re entire body tensed, your eyes widened, your heart
skipped a few beats at the name. Why?”

“That’s my family. I used to belong to that clan. I…I need to go home.”
She shook her head and stood. “I’m not feeling well and I shouldn’t be around
people right now.”

He nodded. “I was going to suggest you going home anyways. Get some
rest. I’ll see you in a few nights and remember Kass. Night of the full moon I
want you here. Understood?”

“Yes.” She grabbed her jacket off the hook by the break room door and
ran out of the club.

Kass woke with a jump from her nightmare.
Sweat poured down her face, her sheets trapped her limbs in a tangled mess and
her body hung half off the mattress. With a sigh she freed herself and sat up.
The day had brought nothing on but nightmares and now she knew the sun was
sinking and it was time to start her night.

“Fuck.” She groaned rubbing her eyes as the door opened.

Lucius walked in. “Fuck indeed. I could hear you screaming out in your
sleep from down the hall all day. I thought the bad dreams had faded over the
years.”

“Yeah, so did I, but it seems that recent events have brought them back
up.” She ran her hand through her nest of hair and tugged at it until the knots
broke apart. “Derrik told me something interesting last night.”

Lucius leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Oh?”

“My clan is trying to gather rogues.”

“So they are in town for another purpose.”

Kass glanced up. “What is that supposed to mean?

“You’re their other purpose, Kass. You know it was Garret who attacked
you.” He raised a brow. “It didn’t occur to you that they were in town for
you?”

She shook her head. “I thought it was just a coincidence that they
found me here.”

“You don’t honestly believe that.” He laughed. “Look deep in your
heart, we’ve already talked about how someone could have known you were here.
Someone had to have told them.”

Kass swallowed. “Mae didn’t tell anyone and Josh is dead. So unless you
told them, not many other people know where I’m from.”

“Don’t you think that it’s strange that someone else has come into your
life at the same time?” He asked as he stalked towards her.

Her heart fell at the thought of Jax betraying her. Lying to her about
why he was there. “No, I don’t think Jax has anything to do with this.” She met
his eyes. “I’m scared. I don’t want to go back, but I know I can’t fight them
without my control.”

“I won’t let them get you. You just have to follow my rules for you,
believe it or not I want to protect you.” He nodded. “You are mine. And I
protect what is mine.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “I smelt them at the club and I know
that I’ve scented them in the bar. So they are after me too, but why would they
be gathering rogues? The war doesn’t really include them, does it?”

“The war is among all supernatural creatures now, they may not choose a
side, but they want to protect themselves just as much and form alliances.” He
shrugged. “Tegan said you came by to talk to her.”

Kass nodded at the sudden change of conversation. “Yeah, got what I
think is an address that I’m going to check out. I got her to write it down for
me before she freaked out. How she’s doing?”

“As strange as ever, as long as I don’t mention it she seems to be
returning back to normal.” He shrugged. “Seems like there’s not going to be a
dull moment around here for a while.” He smirked. “Have a good night, and think
about what I said.”

The door closed behind him and she rubbed her eyes again, trying to
push all doubt away. Jax was supposed to be her mate, but he hadn’t been around
in a couple days. There was no sign of fate except for him being able to calm
her beast and it was strange for him to appear the same time the attacks
started. She shook her head. “No. He wouldn’t have a reason to tell them. I
hadn’t told him until recently where I came from.” She spoke to the nagging
voice in the back of her head before getting up and going to her closet.

Jax pushed his way to the bar. Ignoring how
his body was still protesting in places from his fight, he shoved his way
through the dance floor. He hadn’t tried to visit Kass tonight and she wasn’t
here when he tried the night before. Someone had said she was sick, but he
wasn’t so sure. He recalled her long red hair in the moon light, and the way
the beams played off her pale skin and her oh so blue eyes. His panther
twitched as his cock stirred. Yeah, he needed a drink tonight. No doubt about
it. He looked up at the bar tender. “Oh it’s you.”

Coran sneered at Jax. “Yeah, it’s me. Kassity hasn’t shown up yet, but
with the way she stormed out last night I’m not expecting her to show up. What
are you doing around?”

“Why don’t you pour me something strong?” Jax drummed his fingers on
the wood of the bar.

“You look like you’ve been through a fight and you’re trying to forget
about a girl. What happen? She beat you up?” Coran laughed and poured Jax a
whiskey shot. “Down it goes.” He slid the small glass over to the panther.

Jax shook his head. “No, got beat up by my employers for backing out of
a job. Worth it though, so worth it.” He laughed and closed his eyes. “Now if
only I could be with her.”

“Yeah, I don’t like soap opera’s, let me go get one of the girls.”

“Her family hired me to bring her back to them. Turns out, it wasn’t
going to be a happy reunion.” He shook his head. “I thought all the rumors
about the Black Moon clan were just that, rumors.”

Coran turned back around. “Fuck, you really took a job from them? If
that’s the case, I’d stay away from Kass.”

“Yeah, so I’ve been told. There’s one problem though.” Jax downed the
whiskey and motioned for another one.

Coran poured him one and leaned against the bar. “She’s a woman, go
find another one to fuck.”

“I think she’s my mate, and Lucius is hiding something about her. I
know he is.” Jax slammed back the second drink. “He came barging in on us,
looking her over for something after we had slept with each other.” He waved to
the empty shot glass.

Coran’s face went blank as he poured another shot. “Yeah, that could be
a problem. You tell her this?”

“She’s suspects the same. I’m the only thing that has been able to calm
her wayward beast.” Jax played with the glass for a second. “Lucius threatened
to tell her if I didn’t stay away. I haven’t decided what to do about it yet.”

The bartender shrugged and put the whiskey away. “Honestly man, try to
stay away from her, but if you are fated, you won’t be apart for long. Fates
are cruel.”

“No shit.” He downed the drink and looked down. “I need to get out of
here if she’s coming in tonight. I really don’t want to cause problems.”

“Don’t blame you, get going before you get hammered. I’ll take care of
the girl for you, for now. I know she’s all sorts of on edge.”

“She say why?”

“No, but did you see the news last night? I’m guessing that has
something to do with it.”

“The killing, the one the kid caught on camera, yeah, I bet that’s got
her a mess. Hopefully she wasn’t conscious enough to remember it.”

Coran laughed. “I doubt that was the case. Talked to Derrik about it,
she was throwing up everywhere and freaked out at the news.”

“Not good.” Her scent hit Jax’s nose and he stood. “Catch you later
immortal.”

“See you, cat.”

Jax weaved his way through the crowd to avoid her and hoped she didn’t
scent him or spot him in the crowd.

Kass came up to the bar and glanced at Coran
who kept staring at her. “Got a problem, pup?”

“Not at all, kitty, just watching you. You look tired.” He grabbed a
rag off the bar top and threw it in the sink behind the bar as a customer came
up.

Kass rolled her eyes and went up to the customer. “What can I get you?”

“Sex on the beach, with you.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

She snarled and snatched the front of his shirt pulling him close.
“Want to try that again?”

He tried to pull away, but couldn’t escape her grip. “Fuck woman,
you’re nuts. I was just passing you a line.”

Kass shoved him away and he tripped over his own feet, falling to the
floor. She jumped over the bar with swift movements and landed in front of him.
“You might want to think twice before shooting another comment like that out of
your mouth.”

“Kass.” Coran’s voice sounded far away as she stalked up towards the
man on the floor. Her panther wanted to play and he smelt of fear.

A cruel smile twisted on her lips. “Now you’re speechless.” She took
confident steps towards him, her body moving with the grace of her panther.

“Kassity.” Derrik’s voice echoed around her, making her and her panther
freeze as they recognized his dominance. “Office. Now.” Kass spun on the spot
and headed towards his office.

He slammed the door behind them. “What the hell was that all about?”

“He made a pass at me.”

“Must have been one hell of a pass for you to jump over the bar and
scare the shit out of him.” Derrik snapped at her as he sat at his desk.

Kass rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry it’s not like me.”

“No, it’s not. You shouldn’t have attacked him, I would fire most of my
employees for that.” He met her eyes. “Tell me what is going on. You ran out of
here last night after I mentioned the clan.”

She pulled a chair up and slouched into it. “They are here because of
me.”

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“They are my family, half blood, but family nonetheless. Last I checked
they wanted to kill me.”

“Inconvenient, but I knew this. You confirmed it last night. What I
don’t get is Lucius letting you out of his sights. You’re his prize-“

“Don’t even want to hear it.” She shook her head. “I can’t help what I
am and he’s right. He’s the only thing that can keep me safe.”

She saw hesitations flash across Derrik’s eyes. “Yeah I know you want
to take care of me, but you can’t. I can try to come to you during the full
moon, but I’m sure he’ll just drag me back home.” She shivered at the thought
of being dragged anywhere.

“Kassity, don’t you even think about it.”

She stood and shook her head. “I’m not safe here. I’m not safe
anywhere.” Her panther stirred in her and she bolted for the door. Derrik
jumped over his desk and slammed her against the wall, trapping her with her
arms at her side. “Don’t run.”

“Let go of me. I can smell them.” She met his eyes. “Please.”

Derrik’s eyes searched her face, seeing the fear he let her go. “Go
straight back to Lucius. Got it?”

“Like I would go anywhere else.” She whispered. “Thank you.” She ran
out of the room and through the crowd again, ignoring the questioning look from
Coran.

Kass pulled up to the mansion and sighed when
she got out of the car. The quiet night did nothing to sooth her panther’s panic.
A gust of wind brought the familiar scent of two males and the fading scent of
a female. She turned just in time to be taken to the ground by one of the
males, fully shifted so there was no telling if it was Garret or Stephen that
was pinning her to the ground. She kicked him off and tried to call her claws
to her hands but nothing happened as Stephen walked out of the shadows.

"Don't have your control any more, do you?" He asked,
laughing as Garret paced in front of her. "I thought so when Garret came
back without a scratch on him. He was lucky to find you at that bar, I didn't
think that your scent was strong enough to mean you were still there. You must
have quite the protection."

She swallowed and dropped to a fighting stance. She knew that she would
have a chance if she could shift and take the two, but the fading female scent
told her Sarah was around as well. But she questioned if she would be able to
remain in control long enough to know what she was doing. The image of the boy
watching her came back.