Lunar Shadows: Awaken

Kyran

Having slept like shit, I roll out of bed and take a quick shower. I couldn’t get the witch’s voice out of my head and kept thinking about what she had said to me twice now. As I’m getting dressed, I mindlink Elder Eirene, Could you meet with me this morning? I need help understanding something involving what I believe is Latin.

I wait a moment, hearing only silence in return. As I’m about to contact Elder Chrestotes in concern, Eirene’s quiet voice replies, Alpha Kyran, I am not on our lands and expect to return in a few days. Is it of high importance? I can’t speak long; this distance is quite taxing on my old mind.

No, it’s alright, thank you. I will speak with you once you have returned. Safe travels, Elder, I murmur in response.

As I shut my door behind me and trot down the stairs to the lounge, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I notice a text from an unknown number.

Hey meat cart guy ;)

Grinning widely, I reply,

Good morning, sweetheart ;)

I hope you slept well

While waiting for her response, I add Selene to my contacts as ‘sweetheart’ and lean against the wall next to the stairs.

I was thinking about last night…

How does a do-over sound?

What do you mean?

Well…since the night didn’t go

as planned, I thought maybe

you could show me how fun

your bar can be

That is, if the owner will let

you take some time off on a

Sat night ;p

Narrowing my eyes, I think about what she could mean by that. Realization strikes me and I bark out a laugh as Kyrre walks down the hallway.

“Kyran? Why are you smiling at your phone like a—omigosh!” she gasps with her hand flying to her mouth. “Gimme that!”

She snags my phone out of my hand, bounding down the stairs. “Kyrre!” I yell after her, taking the steps two at a time. Her laughter floats through the house as she flits around, typing on my phone. I catch her around the waist and haul her off her feet with one arm, snatching my phone out of her hand. Dropping my sister on her ass, I look at my screen in shock with a groan.

hmm…idk…if u think

u can handle it

meet me tonite & I will show

u just how much fun I can be

;)

“Kyrre!” I growl, glaring at her.

She just grins at me and turns toward the kitchen and I follow when my phone buzzes again. I quickly swipe the screen and smile at Selene’s message.

Hahah

Sounds like a challenge ;)

I quickly tap out a response as my face flushes with heat.

I’m sorry, that was my sister…

She can be a real pain lol

I would like to see you again,

I’m sure I can work something

out with the owner ;)

Glancing up, I notice Trey laughing with Kyrre at the stove and get an idea, tapping out a couple more texts.

Bring your sister, too, if

she’d like to come again.

I think I know someone

who’d be happy to see her

Okay I will!

I’ll see you tonight :)

Grinning, I turn toward the garage and close the door behind me, heading to the park for my morning run. I hope the day passes quickly, I muse, smiling the whole way there.

Selene

I spent the day milling around the property, texting with Kyran and asking a ton of questions about one another. We talked about what our hobbies are, the music we listen to, favorite things to eat, and a lot of our dislikes as well. Hours passed quickly with laughter and surprises, discovering that he and I are quite similar, except where he lives a busy life and mine is more laid back. Kyran admitted to playing guitar but that he hasn’t touched one in a long time, and I confided in him, telling him I love to sing, although nobody has ever heard me because I’m afraid of the vulnerability it brings. He let me know he understands, sharing that he would only sing around his family while playing his guitar. We coincidentally both messaged that we’d like to hear each other sometime and it made me smile warmly.

Ria had come out to the gardens to bring me a late lunch and sit with me in the sunlight. We talked about last night and she was very upset that she wasn’t there when it happened, angry that she should have done something to help me. I reassured her that in no way was it her fault, knowing how impossible that was since everything happened so quickly, and with the bar being so busy. I mentioned going out again tonight to try to make a better experience out of it and she knowingly teased me about Kyran lightheartedly. I offered for her to invite the girls again, since she’s closer with them than I am and she agreed, leaving me here to call them.

My phone vibrates in my hand and I check the screen, smiling as I see Kyran’s latest question.

What is one food you could eat for the

rest of your life and never get sick of?

Mine would have to be pizza

Quickly tapping, I send my answer without hesitation,

Easy, ice cream! :) Ooh, put ours

together and we’d have the best forever

food combo! Sweet and savory, yumm

Glancing up with a smile, I notice the sky has turned a deep gold, making me abruptly aware of the time. Feeling giddy, I pop up off the garden bench and hurry into the cottage, making my way up to my room. Leaving my door open, I call out into the hallway, “Hey! What should I wear tonight? I need ideas,” as I cross my room and open my bathroom door to turn on the shower.

“Check your bed!” Ria’s distant voice reaches me as I enter my room once more.

Glancing over, I notice how she’s left me a new outfit and I grin, stepping over to pick up the clothes. Ria got me a pair of light denim distressed skinny jeans and a short-sleeved, white V-neck bodysuit made from stretchy, glittery fabric. She would get the shimmery one, I laugh with a shake of my head.

“Thank you! This looks really pretty, Ria,” I call out to her with a smile.

Reaching over and tossing my jacket on my bed, I hastily take a shower, eager to get ready and go to the bar. In my bathroom, mindful of the sore spot on my head, I blow dry my hair straight and smooth it with a flat iron, flipping the ends a bit to add movement. Checking the mirror, I make sure the little bald patch isn’t visible. Sitting down at my vanity, I decide to redo the same makeup as last night, except I use concealer on the bruise that bloomed on my cheek overnight, blending it with some foundation, add glitter to the smokey eyeshadow, and choose to wear a soft red lipstick tonight. Getting dressed in my second new outfit, I dig through my closest and pull on a pair of black ankle boots to match my leather jacket. Straightening, I take a look in my mirror as Ria knocks on my door and enters with a whistle.

“Oh yeah, I’m totally digging the naughty and nice look you’ve got going,” she drawls as she waggles her eyebrows.

“How the hell do you pee in that thing?” I ask incredulously, eyeing her tight black pleather jumpsuit with a grin.

“Very carefully,” she winks with a grin in return. “Oh, hold on a sec.” She crosses my room, her black stilettos clicking as she shimmies up to me. Holding out my moon necklace, she drapes it over my head and murmurs, “There, perfect,” as she pulls my hair out from the chain, smiling. Stepping around me, she smacks my ass with a, “Let’s go!” tossed over her shoulder and sashays out of my room.

Blinking a few times, I shake my head with a laugh and follow her downstairs. “You’re ridiculous, you know that, right?” I mutter toward her.

As I step off the stairs, I head for the door and snag the car keys before Ria does. She turns toward a wall mirror, pulling her auburn waves up messily.

“Up, or down?” she asks, releasing her hair down her back.

“Down, definitely. You look like if Poison Ivy and Catwoman morphed together,” I grin at her, opening the door.

“That is the best compliment, ever,” she grins back wickedly and hands me my purse.

Checking the time as we get in the car, I smile excitedly, anxious to see Kyran again.