September Moon by Trina M Lee Read Free Book Online

flowing. “I too am desperate. One day, Alexa, you will learn the value of your empire, and you will fight to protect it as I do now for mine. Then you will understand why I do such things.”
    “What does that even mean? Don’t play word games. Is it really so impossible for you to be straight up with me?”
    “No, of course not.” He smiled, a broad grin revealing toothpaste-commercial perfect teeth. Illusion. His appearance as a Japanese man was a lie. I had never seen Shya’s true face, nor did I want to.
    “Chalices of blood aren’t used for tea parties, Shya. Give me some fucking answers. Something. Anything.” My fear began to dissolve as my anger became genuine.
    “You’re dying, Alexa,” he said, startling me into silence. “The power is killing you. I’m sure you can feel it every time you call it. The nosebleeds and headaches are getting worse, aren’t they? It’s only a matter of time until it kills you. Not much time I’m afraid.”
    His words reverberated with the truth. It wasn’t news. Not really. This topic had come up before. But hearing him say it like that, so casual and matter of fact, it scared me.
    “What’s your point?” I met his gaze head on, holding steady despite how hard it was to stare into those red eyes.
    “Only that we are both running out of time to find a way to get what we want.”
    I was starting to figure Shya out. If I up and died on him because I called too much power one time too many, he couldn’t use my death the way he hoped.
    “You have no idea what I want,” I seethed. “Get the fuck out of my house.”
    Shya looked into the chalice and, satisfied with what he saw, released my wrist. “I know you don’t want to go dark and lose the balance of your twin flame bond.”
    “You don’t know shit. Get out.” I had to keep repeating myself because if I let him talk he would say something sly and manipulative. Letting him inside my head was not an option.
    “Does it frighten you? Everything you’re about to become?” He went on, unfazed by my hateful demand.
    His gaze landed on the amulet I wore, and he reached for it. The touch of his hand against my chest made my skin crawl. He turned the black onyx amulet over a few times before dropping it.
    When I didn’t utter a word, Shya continued. “You’re smart, resourceful. I like that. You’ll make a foe I can be proud of.”
    He could have taken the amulet and robbed me of my chance to save my wolf. When he didn’t, I was both relieved and wary. The amulet would keep the wolf within me when I transitioned, but it wouldn’t save my light from being consumed by Arys’s darkness.
    The pressure holding me frozen disappeared, and I was able to move again. Shya vanished along with it. He was gone so suddenly, I found myself wondering if he’d really been there at all.
    I lay there staring at the window, watching the darkness fade as the sun rose. I didn’t dare close my eyes again until I knew there was no way he could return.
     
    * * * *
     
    “I can’t believe he was in here and I had no idea.” Shaz rubbed a hand through his disheveled shock of white blond hair before dragging it over his face where the barest hint of a five o’clock shadow was starting. “Are you sure you’re ok?” Gently he took my arm and traced a finger lightly over what remained of the cut from Shya’s dagger. It was minor, little more than a scratch now.
    “Yes, I’m fine. Physically. Mentally, I’m absolutely terrified. And more than a little pissed off.” I sipped from a mug of hot coffee, seeking comfort in that simple, familiar action. “He hit you with something so you wouldn’t wake up. It was probably for your own good.”
    Shaz had spent some time away, in the mountains, running as wolf and freeing himself from the restraints of home. He’d come back with an attitude I wasn’t accustomed to, ready to take on anyone and anything. Shya had probably saved his life by keeping him unconscious.
    I was reminded