The Moon Rises (50 page)

Finn sighed. “You didn’t just stumble upon the
evil bitch, did you?”

Gigi shook her head. “My hands tingle when I’m
around those monsters the necromancer made. I’ve been tracking her for a week.”

“Did you not tell me because you thought I would
stop you or because you didn’t think you could trust me to understand?”

“Both.”

“I probably would have wanted to come with you,
but if she was a powerful necromancer, a Were wouldn’t have been very helpful.
Still next time you need to do something awesome, let me know so if I can’t get
hold of you, I won’t worry. Look at my poor nails,” Finn said as he ran his
fingers down her neck to her breasts. “Gnawed them off worrying.”

“I’m sorry,” she cooed.

“I forgive you, but only because you destroyed a
serial killer and came home safe to me. Now I think we should stop talking
since you have trouble keeping up the conversation once my tongue starts licking.”

“I love you.”

Finn grinned and whispered, “I love you too,”
before using his tongue as promised.

Hours later, after so much lovemaking Gigi’s body
felt boneless, she lay with Finn. Even as her body relaxed, her mind raced with
memories of the night before. No matter what Finn said about everyone having
evil in them, Gigi knew the rage only hungered for destruction and it was
hiding inside her waiting for another chance to break free.

Gigi didn’t think she would ever fall asleep, but
Finn had dozed off and his face was peaceful. She studied how his golden skin retained
its hue even in the moonlit room. She brushed back his soft blond hair and laid
her hand on his chest. His breathing was deep and steady and soon her breathing
followed his rhythm until she began to doze. His love warmed her and his
tranquility eased away her worries.

When the dream took her, it was a dream of Mamma
Celeste. She was singing so softly as she cooked her pot of food. Dark skin
moist with the heat from the kitchen and the hot summer day, Mamma Celeste
glanced down at Gigi and sang to her.

“You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make
me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Gigi sat on the floor, watching Mamma Celeste
sing. She smelled the food and licked her lips with hunger. Somewhere a dog
growled and Gigi turned her head to look for the animal. Instead she found the
stove door, shiny from the light of the day.

In the door was the reflection of a child looking
back at Gigi. The child growled and hissed even as Mamma Celeste sang so
softly. The child yanked at her long blonde hair and clawed at her face.
Staring at the reflection, the child tore at the thick metal collar wrapped
around her neck.

Scratching at the restraint, the hissing child
stared up towards Mamma Celeste’s sweet voice.

“Don’t scratch, Baby Boo. Scratching only makes
it worse.”