Midnight's Son (Darkling Mage 5)
Chapter 19
“Full moon,” Gil offered by way of explanation as we headed up the stairs. “Remember?”
“I totally spaced on that,” I said.
It was crucial, too, just as Arachne warned me. The Midnight Convocation only met on full moons. Not every full moon, either, just when they felt like it. Entities, am I right?
“So what does that entail, exactly?” Herald said, his head tilted. “What happens to you on a full moon?” I would have asked just to be a gossip, but he had his chin in his hand, his gaze intent, like he was asking out of intellectual curiosity.
Gil sighed. “Full transformation. It’s the worst. The tavern’s enchantment cance
ls out all magic, sure – but lycanthropy isn’t magic. Not exactly. I’m gonna need Sterling to keep watch over me and make sure I don’t trash the place.”
“Not like the last time,” Sterling muttered through a pout, arms still folded.
“Hey,” Gil barked, finger upraised. “We promised not to talk about that.”
“What happened then?” I asked.
“Different town,” Sterling said. “Different hotel room. Tore up the mattress, and I’m pretty sure he ate half the couch.”
Gil scoffed and threw up his hands. “You didn’t tie me down well enough. I was constipated for weeks.”
Sterling chuckled. “Good times.”
We stopped outside a pair of doors that I assumed opened to our rooms. Before Gil could disappear into theirs, I figured I’d ask what was on my mind, it being a full moon and all.
“I’m curious, though.” I squinted, my gaze going to Gil’s fingers. “You can do that trick with getting your wolf talons to burst through your skin, right? And I’m pretty sure we’ve seen you go full dog even when it isn’t a full moon.”
Going dog was how me and the others at the Boneyard referred to Gil’s lycanthropic transformation. I’d only seen it a couple of times, but as viciously powerful as Gil could be in his human form, nothing quite compared to his destructive brutality when he transformed and wore a wolf’s skin.
“That’s right. That’s not exactly normal for my kind.” He frowned, scratching the tip of his nose in annoyance. “Actually, I’m kind of shunned for it by some of the others. They say it isn’t natural. But it makes me versatile. Keeps me useful. Carver taught me how to break the cycle and transform whenever I wanted. Hurts like fuck, which is why I don’t do it too often, but it helps.” He grunted. “Wish he could teach me to ignore the full moon, though.”
“Holy shit,” I said, eyes wide. “Carver taught you?”
“There’s lots to pick up from centuries of studying grimoires and supernatural lore, and he used what he knew to give me an upper hand.” He smiled broadly. “I know he’s not the best at showing it, but he really does want the best for each of us, you know.”
I nodded. “He’s a good boss.” I meant it, too.
“He’s a great boss,” Gil corrected. His massive hand landed on my back, making a meaty slap against my skin. “You take care of yourself, now. He’ll never say it to your face, but Carver worries about you more than you know.”
I rubbed my shoulder, massaging away the sting of what Gil surely thought was a friendly clap on the back. “I know,” I said sheepishly. “We’ll leave soon.”
“Soonest,” Gil said. “Cloudy night, but the full moon is going to be up there shortly. You don’t want to stick around for the show.” He grimaced. “It gets ugly. And loud. We’re gonna get noise complaints. Plus the two of you still have to climb up to the tether.”
That was a good point. Herald nodded. “We’ll freshen up a little, then we’ll get going.” He clapped Gil on the shoulder. “Good luck with tonight, man.”
Gil smiled. “Same to you. Take care of Dust.”
“Hey,” I said. “I’m right here.”
Herald unlocked the door to our room, saying nothing.
“Guys. I can take care of myself.”
Sterling patted me on the back of my neck, his fingers cold as ice. “Watch out for werebears and werelions.”
“Wh-what?”