The Rising Moon (20 page)

“
I really need to see John,” I said to Ryan. “You think you can show us how to get to the Stewart ranch?”

“
Why don’t you stay with us tonight and we can take you to see him in the
morning
.” Ryan said, stretching the word morning, knowing that Adam couldn’t be out during the day time.

Adam stepped closer, a contemptuous sneer touched his lips. “I believe she wants to see him now. If you be kind enough to give us directions to the ranch, I can escort her there myself.”

“
Adam’s right, I want to see him as soon as possible. I don’t want to wait for morning.”

“
Fine, I’ll go with you,” Ryan said.

“
Tell me where the ranch is, Ryan. You don’t have to come with us. I’ll be fine. Look.” I turned around to show him that I’m ok, “I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong with me. He’s taken very good care of me.”

“
He’s a vampire!” He stood up and stood nose to nose with Adam.

Adam’s eyes turned black and a low growl built up in the back of his throat. Ryan didn’t flinch. His eyes shifted to black as he gnashed his teeth. I sprinted between them, “Stop it! Please!”

“
She's right.” Ani said, standing beside me. She placed her hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “Adam is not the enemy. Emi and her brother are,” she turned to look at Adam, “I appreciate all you’ve done for Lia. I know you have a kind heart and would never do anything to jeopardize her safety. And for that, I’m grateful.”

“
Fine!” Ryan said. “But I’m still going with you.”

“
Do what you want.” I said. “But let’s go now.”

We followed Ryan in Adam’s black Expedition as he led us up the dirt road to Stewart Ranch.

“
What’s up with your friend?” Adam asked.

“
What do you mean?”

“
Why is he so overprotective of you?” I sensed a bit of jealousy in his voice.

I explained the whole raven spirit guide thing and how Ryan has always been overprotective not only with me, but with everyone around him.

“
That’s just who he is.”

Stewart Ranch was a couple miles west of Wind River. I was thrilled to see John’s truck parked outside and a faint light shining through the window.

I ran up the steps of the cabin and desperately knocked on the door. “John!” I exclaimed, when he opened the door. I was pleased he didn’t smell of whiskey.

“
Lia, girl, where have you been?” he asked, “I’ve been worried sick.”

Ryan and Adam stepped onto the porch and sat on opposite ends. Both sat upright with eyes of fire. John was too happy to notice. He eagerly shook their hands. He was different. He was happy and clean and he couldn’t stop smiling. It felt great to see at how much he has changed. He was like the old John again. Ryan and I followed him inside. He turned to Adam, “don’t stand outside son, come on in.” Adam followed him inside.

Boxes were everywhere. I noticed a box labeled
Lia’s things
on it. I walked over and saw he had packed my belongings. Clothes, shoes and books were neatly packed in boxes.

“
I still have some of your things over at the Ulric Ranch. I’ve been meaning to return and get the rest of your stuff, but I’ve been busy with work and all, that I haven’t had the chance to go.”

“
It’s fine. I’m sure I can manage with what’s here,” I said, pulling out my cell from the box.

John took me on a tour of the cabin. There were five rooms in all: kitchen, living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. It was small and cozy like our previous cabin, except there was no memory of Veena. When I returned to the living room, I could feel the tension between Ryan and Adam as thick as a fog.

“
Thanks for bringing us here.” I said as I walked over to Ryan and walked him to the door.

“
Trying to get rid of me so soon?” He asked, glancing back at Adam.

I grabbed his face and looked him in the eye, “Stop it. Why are you behaving this way?”

“
I missed you that’s all,” He said, placing his hand on my arm, “I’m glad to see you’re ok, but I don’t know anything about him, and I worry for you.”

“
I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” I said, flashing my sharp fangs.

“
I see you’ve learned to embrace your gift.” He smiled, “Ok, I’m leaving, but I will always be around. Remember Lyle and his sister can return at any moment, especially now that you’re here.”

Panic wedged in my chest at the reality of his words. He leaned to give me a hug, but Adam stood beside me in a blink. Ryan hissed and turned to walk away, his low, frustrated growl floating after him.

“
Wait!” shouted Adam. “Come back.”

In a blink, Ryan stood beside me. “We both know it’s not safe for Lia to stay here.”

“
What are you saying?” asked Ryan.

“
Lyle and his sister will stop at nothing to get to her. And this is the first place they’ll come looking if they know she’s back,” replied Adam.

Ryan clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

“
So where should I go?’ I asked.

“
You should return with Adam. I’m afraid he’s right. It isn’t safe for you or John if you stay here. It’s better to be safe than sorry.” His eyes met mine, “Return with Adam and give me a call as soon as you arrive.”

“
Ok.” I replied.

“
I’m serious.” He warned. “Call me as soon as you ge there. Don’t make me have to hunt you down.” He didn’t look at me when he said the last words. His eyes were on Adam.

“
What’s going on out here?” John asked when he stepped out into the porch, “aren’t you coming in? I have some meatloaf and potatoes warming in the oven,” he paused then said, “I’ve quit drinking while you gone.”

“
I knew there was something different about you. I’m so proud of you.” I smiled.

“
I was drunk the night you went missing,” His voice cracked. “Deputy Woodruff refused to let me join the search because I was a useless drunk.” He brushed his hand through his sweaty damp hair, “please forgive me for not being there for you when you needed me the most.”

I gave him a hug. It felt great to have the old John back. “Well enough with the chit-chat and hugs”, he wiped a tear with the back of his hand, “you coming in or not?”

My heart sank. My throat felt tight and dry.

“
Uh…I won’t be staying here tonight.”

“
But you just got here.”

Tears filled my eyes, “I’m sorry but there’s something I need to take care of before I can return home for good.”

“
I don’t understand. What’s going on? Are you in any trouble?”

John knew I wasn’t a good liar. I had the uncanny feeling that he’d see right through me if I lied. I stood there with a blank look in my face. I couldn’t think of what to say to make him understand that I no longer could stay with him.

‘
I shouldn’t have come.’
I turned to look at Ryan, ‘
What am I going tell him?’

“
She’s not in any trouble Mr. Miller,” he assured him. “I promise she’ll be back soon. You have my word on it.”

“
But she just got here.” He stared at me for a moment not yet comprehending, “Tell me what’s going on.”

I nervously bit my bottom lip. For a moment, I had an unpleasant vision of John lying in a pool of blood. If I stayed home, I knew the vision would come true and that was something I couldn’t live with. I had to tell him the truth. The truth about the Ulric’s, about what I was, and what I feared would happen to him if I stayed.

“
John, I can’t stay because…” I began to say before Adam stepped in between us.

“
Everything’s fine,” John met the gaze of his flashing eyes. “You will go inside and enjoy your dinner. You will watch some T.V. and then head for bed. You will no longer worry about Lia. Everything will be as if you didn’t see her tonight.”

Without a blink or a word, John walked inside.

“
What did you do?” Ryan asked.

“
We don’t need him worrying about her and getting himself involved in a fight that has nothing to do with him. I did what had to be done.”

“
You used mind control?” Ryan asked, “For God’s sake you turned him into a zombie!”

“
What?” I gasped.

“
Vampires have the power to control your mind. They can compel you to do or believe anything they tell you.”

I turned to look at Adam, “Did you just compel John?”

“
Yes, but believe me I only did it to protect him.”

“
Did you ever use mind control on me?”

“
No. I would never do that to you. Besides I can’t compel werewolves.” I believed him. The feelings I had for him came from my heart, so I knew they were mine. Ryan rolled his eyes and walked away in a huff.

“
Wait!” I called out to him. “You know Adam’s right. He did what had to be done. He was only protecting John from himself. I know John and if Adam didn’t do what he did, he would worry himself crazy and he’d probably do something stupid and get himself killed.”

Adam stood outside the cabin, looking away from us, but I knew he was listening in on our conversation. He knew that Ryan meant a lot to me and I wouldn’t be able to leave knowing that my best friend was angry with me.

He looked down at his dust covered boots. “You don’t know how much it tore me inside when you were gone. I wasn’t sure of where you went and what happened to you.” His eyes were warm but still guarded when he stood closer, “I’m glad to see you’re happy and doing well but mark my words…I will hunt him down if he ever hurts you.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

“
It seems we both found love. Kima adores you,” I said.

He nodded, his face content, “she’s great isn’t she?”

“
Yes.”

He took a deep breath, “So where does Adam live?”

“
He has an estate in Jackson Hole. I’ll call you once we get there.”

“
Be safe.”

“
I will.”

Adam stood beside me, “we must go.”

“
Take care of her.” Ryan told Adam.

“
I will never allow anything to happen to her,” Adam assured him.

Ryan turned to me, “Try not to worry about John. I’ll have one of the guys keep an eye out for him.

∞
CHAPTER 24 ∞

WE ARRIVED AT JACKSON HOLE a few hours before sunrise. The night was pitching black except for the moon who shone brightly in the velvet sky. Although my heart was at ease in knowing that John and Ryan were well, my mind couldn’t rest knowing that the Ulric’s were still out there. If staying away from everyone I loved kept them safe, then I will never return to Lander again.

“
You should get some rest,” Adam said as he walked me to my room.

“
I don’t want to be alone. Can you stay with me awhile?” I asked as I made room for him on the bed. He accepted the invitation and climbed beside me. I brushed up against him. His body was cold as ice, but I didn’t mind. I rested my head on his chest and wrapped the blanket tightly against my body.

Near him, I felt peace and I wanted to remain in it forever. I think he felt the same, because he didn’t move or speak. A few minutes or so passed and we remained the same. I wondered what he was thinking, but I didn’t want to ruin the content silence we shared. He swirled his fingers along my arm. I closed my eyes and snuggled closer pressing my head against his solid chest. I wanted to know if his heart raced as quickly as mine did with every gentle stroke of his hand, but his heart was still. Quiet. A hollow void was all I could feel. As if, I had pressed my ear against a wall. He brushed my check with his hand and lifted my chin to meet his gaze, “You don’t have to hear the beat of my heart to know how crazy I am about you.” He leaned toward me and kissed me.