The Moon Tells Secrets Read Free Page B

“We’re all going to my new house to send her spirit on its way with turkey sandwiches, tea, and in my case, a Bloody Mary. I’m old enough for that in the middle of the day.”
    The abruptness of her words and actions puzzled and amused me, and I noticed a glimmer of a smile in Cade’s eyes at last. But instantly Luna’s expression changed. She lifted her head, as if she heard something in the distance.
    â€œCade, can you get the car and bring it around so we can get out of here? This tote bag is heavy. Side entrance is good, closer to where you parked. Past time for us to leave,” she added, too sweetly. Cade studied her curiously, then nodded and shrugged as if used to following her orders.
    â€œYou’re coming with us, aren’t you, Raine?” she asked as Cade headed out the side exit.
    â€œNo, I—”
    â€œPlease,” Luna said, her eyes pleading so hard, I nodded that I would. We’d stay for a few minutes, then take a cab from there to the apartment, then catch the bus. I searched for Davey in the back of the church but didn’t see him. He’d probably gotten bored, ducked down looking for something he’d dropped, his cell phone more than likely; he was always dropping that.
    â€œBut we can’t stay long.” Luna scarcely heard me. Her gaze was focused on someone who had just entered the church.
    It was dressed in black this time, from head to toe, a ninja or grim reaper ready for death. It stepped into the room as it had the restaurant, sure of itself, looking around, turning up its dog nose as it sniffed the air, swallowing it, gulping down our scent, and when it saw me, its slanted yellow eyes wouldn’t let me go, and its dagger teeth peeked out from its thick pink gums. I stood staring, unable to move as I watched it stroll away.
    How long had it been here? What had it done?
    â€œDavey!” I screamed, finding my voice, tearing myself from where I stood, running to the back of the church. “Where are you! Where are you hiding?” I ran to the spot where I’d left him and dropped to my knees, my heart pounding. Had it beaten us this time? Had it gotten my son? I couldn’t let myself think, I wouldn’t.
    â€œDavey!”
    Yet somewhere in my mind, I knew I would sense if my son was gone. I would know it in my heart. He was here. I could feel him. Frightened but alive.
    â€œDavey is your son?” I’d forgotten that Luna was behind me.
    â€œHe’s hiding somewhere,” I said, ignoring her question as I crawled between the pews, stripping out pillows, searching corners and crevices, my eyes filling with tears of fear and dread.
    And then I saw the glint of his round glasses on the floor and his clothes—jeans, T-shirt, socks, sneakers—slipped out of quickly, quietly, left in a pile the way he did when he got ready for school. And then Davey himself, nestled into a dark corner on the edge of a pew—a space just big enough for the tiny creature he’d become. I dropped to my knees, bending down in front of it. “Come out now. It’s okay, Davey. It’s okay. It’s gone.”
    He poked his head out first, small, brown, furry, then eased out the rest: dainty pointed ears and claws; whiskers fine as threads; sleek, fast body. Scampering to the back of the room, he disappeared into a cloakroom. He’d spotted Luna and wouldn’t shift in front of her. He never changed in front of me either; that secret he kept with his grandmother, how he made it happen, how long it took.
    But this had been a foolish decision, this puny creature he’d become. Easily caught and eaten by the cat, dog, wolf that sought him. A child’s choice—quick and small enough to burrow into a tight, hidden space. To disappear without calling attention. Not a wise one. How easily he could have been devoured before I’d know he was gone. Anna had warned me about this. Better to be fierce