Page 52 of Red Moon Secrets
"You're hungry. Don't apologize. I think it's adorable."
"That's gross," Dice grumbles, turning puce.
Kane starts to defend me, but a breeze introduces a materializing Gage.
"Need you to let someone in," he says, motioning toward the door.
He looks worried, or possibly frightened. What now?
"Who?"
"Chaz."
My eyes grow too wide for my face. Chaz? Here? Has something happened to Mom and Drackus?
"Chaz can come in," I almost whisper, feeling the barrier of the protection spell expand to offer him admittance.
He appears in the room, a trail of glittery dust flowing in around him. Bleach blond hair, soft blue eyes, and a familiar face make me smile. It's been so long since I've seen my best friend.
"A fairy?" Dice snorts, laughing loudly before I can even speak.
Chaz's eyes cut toward the sniggering incubus. "Donotcall me a fairy. I'm a duster, damn it."
Dice continues to laugh, and I stifle a grin. The fey world loves to tease male dusters about what the mortals once called them. Of course, unlike pixies, fairies—um—I meandusters, are regular height. Chaz is at least 6'1.
"Hey," I finally say, happy my words escape in an even tone.
He turns back to me, but he doesn't return my smile. Shit. Mom's in trouble.
"What happened? Where's Mom? Where's Drack—"
"They're fine," he says, keeping his voice soft as he comes over to stand across from me.
He keeps the bar between us, as though he feels safer that away. Oh no—he knows.
"What's going on?" Kane asks, suddenly growing protective when he senses my tension.
His arm snakes around my waist, drawing me closer, as his gaze grows expectant on the duster.
"Something has come up. Alyssa is involved, and I'm trying to keep the councils from finding out. Her creatures are stirring. From now on, she stays locked up at night. Otherwise, I'll have to do something I really don't want to do."
He really does know. Shit.
His stern glare, set jaw, and tight expression don't appear to be the least bit friendly. This is a warning—one he considers an extended courtesy.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Kane asks, well—growls.
Chaz's smirk quirks up in a sideways position, but before he can answer, Gage sighs out hard.
"You're part of the council."
"He's their lapdog," Dice snarls, sniffing the air. "I can smell his tattle-tale stench. Stupid snitches."
Chaz's glower returns to find the incubus, but before anything can be said, I answer.
"He's an enforcer for the light council," I say, turning toward Kane. "When one of us steps out of line—"
I can't even finish. To this day, I can't believe Chaz even took that position.
