"Chaz, you can't be here," I croak out, inwardly cringing at how pitiful I sound.
I will not fall apart. I will not cry. I have to be strong.
"Um...yeah, I can," he says casually while offering a one-shoulder shrug.
Kane lets me rest against him as he strums his fingers through my hair—an action I've come to find so soothing and comforting.
"No, you can't. The light council could—"
"Could try. Don't worry, Alyssa. I'm a big boy. As long as you stay locked up during the red moon, all will be fine."
Kane sighs out heavily. He's argued about the possibility the red moon isn't changing me, but no one will agree to let me stay out of the cage—not even me. I'm locking myself away to keep the rest of the world safe.
"How did you come across the girl the cop abused?" Zee asks.
"I had to hunt her down. It took some magic to even learn she existed, but I returned to the scene of the crime, saw the aura stain of fear behind the bushes. I knew she had seen something very terrifying. Then I had to use magic to get her to talk. She was on Alyssa's side."
"I have to be somewhere," Gage says while looking at his phone, interrupting the details I don't really want to hear. "I'll be back."
He hasn't said much to anyone today. As he walks away, Kane pulls me from the couch, wrapping his arms around me. He leads me to the kitchen, and I collapse to a barstool.
"We'll sort it out, Alyssa. Are you okay?" he asks, grimacing.
It's a terrible question, but I can't break right now. If I let the weight of what I've done fully settle, I'll crumble, crack, and be of no use to anyone.
"I'll be fine," I mumble. "We need to—"
"I'm not a fucking fairy!" Chaz blares from the living room, forcing Kane to choke on a laugh.
At least the feud Dice has struck up is a distraction from our drama.
"Fairy," Dice sings, following Chaz into the den where we are.
Chaz's face is red, almost crimson. No duster likes to be called a fairy, and Dice revels in driving someone mad.
"Call me a fairy one. More. Time," Chaz threatens, seething.
Dice smirks, a challenge in his eyes, and says, "Fair—"
His word is cut short and ends with a cat's meow. His eyes widen as a devilish grin spreads across Chaz's lips. A few flakes of glitter have gathered on Dice's lips, promising Chaz just used his duster magic.
Another meow bellows free in panic, and Dice clutches his throat, gasping as the sound continues in the place of his words.
"I like him," Kane says through his laughter, motioning toward Chaz.
Chaz smirks as he turns away from the crying cat—er, I mean Dice.
"Never thought I'd hear a night stalker say that."
I breathe out in relief, grateful for Chaz being here. With so many dark being my only allies, I was starting to wonder if any light beings were on the good side. It's a twisted world we live in.
Chapter 11
Gage
My hands actually hurt from wringing them so much. I hate being around that fucking night stalker who can't keep his hands off my girl. I'm sick of this. I need my proof, and this had better be it.
"It's about time you showed up," the dark voice charms from the distance.