Dark Moon Falls: Abel Read online

  He climbed out of bed and dug through his bag for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

  Abel’s feet fell heavy down the stairs. Disoriented from lack of sleep, the smell of bacon drew him down to the kitchen.

  He reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped to pull his t-shirt on. Her scent was like a hard slap and stopped him in his tracks. Unable to move, he stood holding his t-shirt in his hand, poised to pull it over his head.

  “Auntie Anabelle!” A boy burst through the back door, ran to Anabelle, and jumped into her arms.

  “Maynard!” Anabelle turned from the stove and picked the boy up swinging him around. “You’ve grown a thousand inches since I saw you last.”

  “You’re silly Auntie Anabell-y. It’s only five hundred,” he said with a giggle.

  “I don’t know. You look pretty big to me,” she said, kissing his forehead and resting his swinging feet on the floor. “The bacon’s going to burn.”

  “Mommy burns everything. We eat a lot of salad and fruit.” He hopped over to the table.

  Abel was frozen in place as he stared at the boy and watched as Ayry stepped through the door. He stood with his shirt in his hand. His gaze shifted from Maynard, who had his eyes, and his one true mate. Abel took in her beauty, her scent, the way her straight, blond hair brushed against her shoulder. His body filled with every emotion from love to hate for himself for ever having to leave, for leaving the way he did, without saying goodbye.

  “Maynard, where are your manners?” Ayry swatted his hand from the basket of biscuits on the table and went to Anabelle to embrace her in a strong loving hug. “Sorry I couldn’t get here last night. I couldn’t leave until after work.”

  “Have you been driving all night?” Anabelle asked with her arms still wrapped around her sister.

  “Yeah. Maynard slept most of the way, but when the sun came up all bets were off.” She stepped back and plucked a warm biscuit from the basket. She handed one to Maynard and started to nibble on another.

  “I’ve missed your cooking.” She savored the flaky biscuit carefully peeling another layer off and popping it in her mouth.

  “It looks like you’ve missed a lot of cooking. You’re too skinny.” Anabelle’s forehead wrinkled with concern.

  “Nah, I’m fine. Now that –” Ayry’s expression fell and she stopped speaking when she saw Abel standing at the foot of the stairs.

  She fell into the familiarity of her mate for a brief moment and admired his bare chest, noticing that he’d matured, wasn’t as skinny as he was before. Then her stare turned to ice, cold and unrelenting, and her gaze shifted from Abel to Maynard then back to Abel. “Hey, honey let’s go get the bags.”

  “Okay, mommy.” Maynard skipped out the door.

  Ayry’s lip snarled as she leaned into Anabelle. “I want him gone.”

  Anabelle’s shoulders fell. “We’ll talk about it.”

  “No, we won’t.” She shot a hateful look in Abel’s direction.

  Abel pulled his shirt on over his head. “I have no excuses, no explanation…” he stammered. All the time he spent on the ride to Dark Moon Falls playing out this scene in his head didn’t prepare him for this moment.

  “Good, because I don’t want them. I just want you gone,” Ayry said and turned her back to him. “I’m going to Dad’s. I’ll be back when he’s gone, let me know.”

  “Ayrabelle,” Anabelle started. “He wants to help.”

  “Help with what? We don’t need him or his bullshit. Besides, it’s not like he knows how to stick around,” she snapped as she stared straight through him.

  “You do need my help,” Abel said quietly.

  “We do,” Anabelle confirmed.

  “Why?”

  “Because the ritual killings are starting again and I’m sure it’s because Dad’s not here. If the necromancer’s back, we need protection, especially you and Maynard.” Anabelle pinned her with a stern look.

  “I’ve been taking care of myself for five years.” She held her head a little higher. “I haven’t needed or wanted anyone’s help.”

  “Have you stopped to think about how Dad died?” Anabelle said with widened eyes. “You and I both know he shouldn’t be dead.”

  “I know, but he is. I came back to pay my respects and go the hell home. That’s what I’m going to do.” She picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “I’ll be staying at Dad’s.”

  “You can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Barnett has been keeping it quiet, but it’s still a crime scene. No one can go in there.”

  “I can’t stay here. Not while he’s here,” she said and pointed at Abel.

  “We need to stick together right now,” Anabelle pleaded.

  “I’m fine.”

  “What about him?” Abel motioned to the door where Maynard stood with his superhero backpack.

  The temperature rose, the lights flickered, and the room darkened. Ayry’s eyes glowed red.

  Anabelle’s mouth hung open as she gawked at her sister. “Ayry, no,” she gasped.

  She shot Anabelle an angry look and said, “Yes. See, I can take care of myself.”

  Abel slumped forward with sadness and confusion and he pressed his palms into his eyes. “I was afraid of this.”

  “Ayry, calm down.” Anabelle put her hand on Ayry’s shoulder, confused at what was happening. “With you having the power, we need even more help protecting you both.”

  Ayry glowered at Abel. “Don’t you dare tell me how to care for my son.”

  “Mommy’s making it cloudy inside,” Maynard squealed, amused at the clouds gathering on the ceiling. His eyes tracked to Abel and he points. “That man is making Mommy sad.”

  “Angry,” Ayry corrected him.

  “No, Mommy’s sad.” He wrapped his fingers inside her hand. “I don’t like when you’re sad.” He closed his eyes and pushed the darkness away with his own light. He opened his eyes and looked at Abel. “Why are you making my Mommy sad?”

  Abel stood staring into a carbon copy of his own eyes. “I never meant to.”

  “Come on, Maynard. We’re going to Delight’s for breakfast,” Ayry said and scooped him up into her arms.

  “But I want Auntie Anabelle’s biscuits.” Maynard’s eyes never left Abel. “The man doesn’t want you to be sad.”

  “No, I don’t want anyone to be sad.” He wanted to get closer to the boy. He wanted to stay in Ayry’s presence, ask about the child he already knew was his son but needed to hear her say it. He couldn’t muster the courage for any of it. Abel hung his head and said, “I’m going to go.”

  Ayry clutched Maynard a little tighter in her arms. “It’s your signature move.”

  Abel’s shoulders fell, and he said, “I didn’t come to cause a problem.”

  “You are the problem.” Her cold stare cut through him like the pain of leaving her.

  He started up the stairs. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah you are,” she snapped.

  Anabelle cut Ayry a harsh look. “Ayry!”

  Ayry’s expression didn’t change.

  “We’ll talk about this after breakfast.”

  Ayry shook her head and tried to regain her composure. “No, we won’t.”

  Maynard reached up and put his hand on her face. “Smile Mommy. It makes the sun happy.”

  “I’m trying buddy. I’m sad about Grandpa,” she said with a forced smile.

  “And that man.” He wriggled out of her arms and sat at the table.

  “Sometimes you’re too smart for your own good.” Her demeanor softened with Abel out of the room, but she wouldn’t be happy until he was out of the house and out of Dark Moon Falls.

  “I’ll be back in a minute. Breakfast is ready.” Anabelle started up the stairs.

  She reached his door and lightly tapped. “Abel?”

  He opened the door holding his duffel bag. “I’m really sorry about all this.”

  “No, don’t be. She’s angr
y and she’ll get over it.” She eyed his bag. “You can’t go.”

  “I have to.”

  “You saw what happened down there. She has the power, which means the necromancer will come for her.” Desperation cut at the edge of her tone. “And him.”

  “I’ll be close.” He started out to the hallway.

  “Abel?” Anabelle stopped him. “You knew about this?”

  “Amon and I always knew it was a possibility, because of…well you know,” he said and glanced at the floor.

  “No, I never knew this was a possibility. Women aren’t supposed to have the abilities. We’re supposed to be duds, carriers of the gene, but not able to do what she did down there,” Anabelle argued. “I certainly never manifested.”

  Abel remained silent.

  “Abel, why is this happening?”

  “I—I—” Abel squeezed his eyes shut. “I can’t. I have to go.”

  “Abel, we need you,” she pleaded. “She’s stubborn and can’t handle what may be coming.” Anabelle hung her head and said, “Dad couldn’t.”

  Abel pushed past her. “It’s more important for her to stay here than out at Amon’s. She’ll be too isolated.”

  “I’m going to call Phaedra and see if she can put a protection around the house,” she said as she watched him walk away.

  “That’s a good idea. I have some calls to make too. I’m going to talk to Silas and see if he’ll stay here to keep an eye on things.” He stopped without turning around. “You never told me about Maynard.”

  Dread at having this conversation ran through Anabelle. “I was sworn to secrecy.”

  “I never would’ve left.”

  “I know. Dad knew.” She shook her head. “Someday I might understand what happened.”

  “Yeah, me too.” He continued down the hallway.

  Chapter 3

  The bell rang on the door when Abel entered the dingy lobby of Dark Moon Falls Motor Lodge. He marveled that it hadn’t changed in the time he was gone. The avocado shag carpet, wood paneling and poster of John Travolta were enough to make anyone glad that decade was long gone. He leaned one elbow on the counter and waited for the attendant.

  The image of Maynard ran on repeat in his mind. This was a game changer and raised the stakes much higher than he ever imagined. He felt the inherent need to protect him, even above keeping Ayry safe.

  He realized his thoughts had been racing as he stood waiting at the counter. He tapped the silver bell on the desk with a weathered hand-written note taped to the counter in front of it: “Ring for Service.”

  A large man carrying a microwave dinner appeared from behind a curtain. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.” The man looked up at Abel and stopped in his tracks. “Oh no, we’re all full.”

  “Alfred, come on don’t be like that.” Abel smiled.

  “You know I can’t have you here. Phaedra takes good care of us and if I let you stay here…well who knows what could happen.” Alfred put his meal down on the table behind the desk and smacked the side of the old television. “This damn thing.”

  “If I clear it with Phaedra?” He leaned over and put his hand on the television. The reception cleared up and the picture was brighter.

  “If she says okay, then I will.” He focused his attention on the television.

  “Okay, I’ll talk to Phaedra.”

  “Why don’t you stay at the B and B?”

  “Ayry.”

  A look of understanding crossed Alfred’s face and he nodded. “Talk to Phaedra,” He reached under the counter and grabbed a key on a diamond-shaped plastic keychain with the number thirteen on it. “You can stay in thirteen if she clears it.” He handed him the key.

  “Thanks Alfred.” He paused for a moment before leaving and said, “I don’t suppose you have any idea what happened to Amon?”

  “The less I know about any of that the better it is for my future.” Alfred said, his attention never leaving the television.

  “Thanks Alfred,” Abel said gripping the key in his hand. He walked down the cracked sidewalk to room number thirteen.

  Abel tossed his bag on the gold and orange flowered bedspread. Every sound echoed off the linoleum floor. He was preparing himself for the trip to Phaedra’s. Thoughts ran through his mind of how he was going to persuade her not to kill him, or worse. He wasn’t sure what worse was, but he had no desire to find out. He heard Elias’ voice in his head telling him, to stay away from Phaedra, But that wasn’t an option.

  He parked his motorcycle in front of Phaedra’s house. His palms were sweaty, and he hesitated as he lifted his finger to ring the bell.

  There was no answer. He stood on the front porch for a good five minutes before heading back to his bike. He didn’t want to go to the sanctuary, but it was likely where he would find her. He wasn’t nearly as concerned about asking for permission to stay at the motel as he was about making sure she knew he was here and more importantly why he was here.

  He couldn’t put it off any longer.

  “Abel?” A woman’s soft voice called his name inside his mind.

  He turned around to look for the source.

  “Why are you here?” she asked.

  “Where are you?” he asked out loud. “Show yourself.”

  An older woman with long dark hair appeared leaning against his motorcycle. “Are you insane?”

  “Rita. How are you?”

  “Worried about you,” she said without looking him in the eye.

  “Don’t be.”

  “Five years isn’t long enough for her to have forgotten.”

  “I get it. But I need to talk to her. Is she at the sanctuary?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t think you should –”

  He gently nudged her away from his bike. “I have to.” Abel’s motorcycle roared to life. He never trusted Rita or any of the witches in the coven for that matter. He knew they did not protect his mother and always thought that allowing him membership would make up for that. It didn’t.

  Abel was sure that Phaedra knew he was coming now, and he’d lost the element of surprise. He hoped he wasn’t walking into instant witch justice. His mind wandered to thoughts of what it would be like if he could only shift into a toad. That would be the best-case scenario.

  He parked his bike and headed into the round building. He looked at the artifacts, the things of Mother Earth, the moon and the Green Man.

  “You are bold. I’ll give you that. But not much on smarts.” Phaedra stood on the other side of the large room.

  “Phaedra,” he answered and wasn’t sure if he should bow or curtsy. He’d do whatever it took to appease her. He bowed his head.

  “Why are you here?” Her stoic stance was intimidating, even to a wolf.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard about Amon.” He continued walking toward her.

  “I did,” she said coolly.

  “He shouldn’t be dead.”

  “Apparently someone thought he should be.” She turned and began to light candles around the circle. “It still doesn’t answer the question asked.”

  “I wanted to pay my respects and make sure that Ayrabelle was okay. Then I’m leaving.” He stopped in the middle of the circle.

  “What part of ‘You can never return’ did you not understand.” She briefly glanced at him over her shoulder.

  “I’ve cleared it with Elias and now I’m asking for your permission to stay for the funeral.” That was his original plan.

  She turned and speared him with a look. “You have no intention of leaving after the funeral.”

  “Things became more complicated after I arrived.” He forced himself not to fidget his hands.

  “They will be more complicated for you if you don’t leave. The only reason you draw breath is because your pack protected you.”

  “I understand what I did was wrong –”

  “You murdered a member of my coven. That goes beyond wrong. You were not held responsible and were allowed to go free and leave Dark Moon
Falls with the understanding that you would never come back.”

  He stood silently considering his options. He knew she would be harder to deal with than Elias. He couldn’t help but wonder if she had known the truth she would have felt differently.

  “I do not give permission for you to stay.” She turned back to lighting the candles. “Get out.”

  “It’s happening again.”

  Fear struck her to stillness. She held the long wooden candle stick over the wick.

  “Silas found a loner in the forest. The killing was the same.”

  At first it was subtle, the flame at the end of the match dancing as her hand quivered with fear. She drew the flame closer to her lips and blew it out. She waved a hand at the rest of the candles abandoning the mundane tradition. A flame grew on each candle’s wick in turn around the circle until they were all lit. “I still fail to see how this affects me or my coven.”

  “If there’s another necromancer in Dark Moon Falls, it could be a problem for you,” he said with a steady voice.

  “I doubt it. But if that is the case, we can handle it.” She kept her back to him and walked around the inside of the circle, silently blessing all twelve of the candles.

  “You couldn’t handle it the last time. You needed Amon . . .” Abel swallowed hard knowing his words could infuriate her. She could decide to set him on fire like he was one of the candles. “And me.”

  Phaedra rolled her neck to release the tension, but it didn’t work. “It was coven business. We could’ve handled it.”

  The magic in the circle welled up inside him and made him bold “You didn’t . . . Amon and I did.”

  The air crackled and Phaedra spun around with a ball of energy manifested in her hand. The ball swooshed toward Abel growing larger as it came closer.

  Abel caught the ball with ease. He raised his hand and the electricity spiraled around his arm and glowed briefly until the energy had become one with him.

  Phaedra pulled her lips to the side slightly impressed. “You’ve gotten better.”

  Abel hung his head. “We all knew Saul was not going to be the end of this.”