BloodMoon by David VanDyke, Drew VanDyke Read Free Book Online Page A

way there’s something wrong with me.”
    “That’s not how it really is and you know it.”
    “Well, that’s how it feels sometimes.”
    “Just because that’s how your father modeled the religion you grew up in, not because that’s the way it is.”
    Interesting that Elle was supporting the party line, but she was older and more small-town traditional.
    “Maybe it’s because all the men in my life are screwed up.”
    “And most of the women. You’re looking for something to blame. I didn’t know you felt that impotent.”
    “I think disempowered is a more appropriate term.” My sister sighed. “Anyway, so far it’s just research. Besides, I’m probably just a hearth witch anyway.”
    “Have you done any of these spells?” Elle asked as I heard a rustling of pages and noticed the latest addition to Amber’s cooking shelf was missing. I poured JR his cereal and added the disgusting fat-free milk she fed him. I mean, seriously, what was the point, if you’re going fat free con lece; you might as well use the powdered stuff. Besides, kids need calories. I mean, look at me and Amber? We grew up on raw milk from a local dairy and we were both athletic and fit.
    “Only a couple.”
    “Only a couple? Like which ones?”
    I guess that’s a lawyer thing to repeat the last words in a conversation, or what was coming from the witness stand in an interrogation.
    “Just the tea of tranquility. It’s supposed to be good for Ashlee’s PTSD.”
    That bitch. So she was trying to medicate me after all.
    Amber went on, “And the somnambulance snifter.”
    Elle choked. “You put a potion in my brandy?”
    “You have been sleeping much more restfully lately. Better than taking Xanax.”
    “That’s true, but not the point. You wouldn’t put drugs in my food without permission, so why are potions okay?”
    “Because they’re made with love.”
    “It’s not about love in this case; it’s about respect, woman! No more dosing me without telling me.”
    “Or me either!” I yelled from the laundry room where I’d taken my eavesdropping to the next level.
    I heard the garage door open amid mumbling, and the girls got into the Lexus and drove off.
    “Sucks to be a grown-up, doesn’t it?” JR said from behind me, though how he got the drop on me I’ll never know.
    “Yeah sport. Sometimes it indubitably does.” I went back to the kitchen to fix us some more cereal. After all, I was still in my pajamas. Ah, the writer’s life.

Chapter 5
    Five of us humans plus two dogs or doglike beings were sitting around in Amber and Elle’s family room the next evening trying to use the TV to fill an awkward silence. Will had come over to bury the hatchet, or mend the fences, or whatever you want to call it. But I think he was just lonely since the pack had gotten called back to Montana for an emergency and he was left here without his boyfriends. I know, I know. I’m being snippy. But the mutt was working my last nerve.
    “I’m bored.” JR said, voicing what most of us were thinking as we stared at whatever mindless entertainment was being offered on the boob tube. Yes, I did call it that, even though there aren’t as many boobs on American television as there are in other countries, and there actually are no more tubes in televisions, I think. Or maybe the boobs were the ones watching.
    Will turned to me and said, “Let’s go cruising.”
    Before I had a chance to say anything in response, JR crowed, “Yeah! Woohoo! We’re going cruising! American Graffiti style!” and went to put on his shoes. He’d been raised on that movie, as – did I tell you this before? – George Lucas had filmed it in nearby Modesto, and its success had given him enough juice to have Star Wars made, another of JR’s favorites, of course.
    “What a great idea!” Amber turned to Elle. “We should all go. We can take the SUV.”
    Elle narrowed her eyes at Amber.
    “Hey, I think if I’m going to be a part of the Street Witches, I