Crimson Moon (8 page)

"Oh, bro, Brig is going to be pissed!” Haven's laughter rang off the walls as he examined me closely. He extended his hand, flashing a captivating smile. “It's nice to meet you, Emma."

"You too.” I reached out, his palm engulfing my own as he shook it lightly.

He stood straight, clasping his hands together. He shook his head at Caleb, a mischievous grin forming.

"If you want to brave the Pit that's one thing, but going down into no man's land with another chick while Brig is here...” Haven's laughter returned and he continued to chuckle as he spoke, “Hey, it's your hide. More power to you, man."

Uneasiness formed a knot my stomach.

Who was Bridgette...his girlfriend?

Of course he has a girlfriend
, I chastised myself angrily.
Look at him, who could resist?

I cursed myself mentally, staring around the tiny room.

The space was as small, compact, and extremely crowded. The only furniture was a tiny table, some cards scattered along the top, and a few chairs shoved at the sides. A large plush picture of dogs playing poker was the only adornment on the pot holed wooden walls.

Haven moved to the left side of the room, lifting a hidden wooden panel and pressing buttons I couldn't see. The loud sigh of air escaping made me gasp and I turned toward the sound. The wood on the far right wall came free.

Caleb wrapped his fingers around my hand, leading me to the wall and pulling the thin wood aside, revealing an elevator shaft. He stepped into the cramped space first, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms around me. I leaned into him, inhaling that addictive smell of pine and leaves.

I didn't have time to immerse my senses before we were descending. It was dark and I was uncertain of how far we traveled underground. The elevator shifted to a halt, my feet and stomach lurching as the door slid open.

The noise hit first.

I listened as several sickening crunches were followed by excited cheers and boos. I hesitated timidly, stepping from the shaft. Caleb followed, placing his hands on my hips and pushing my body up against the nearest wall.

His broad shoulders blocked the room from view as he leaned in close, until only inches separated us.

"Don't be afraid,” he whispered, lowering his face. I drowned in glorious blue indigo as his eyes traveled closer. His hand wound into my hair and he traced his thumb vertically across my throat, creating goose bumps along the surface of the skin.

"I won't,” I breathed, going flush all over.

It was incredibly difficult to talk with him like this. He closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath before easing me off the wall.

The world shifted and I could think again. I became aware of the thunderous yelling and cheering proceeding terrible thuds and cracks. Caleb pressed against my right side, wrapping his hand around my waist and tucking me protectively under his shoulder. I tried to mask my shock and surprise as I looked around.

We were in an area far larger than the bar above, which was obviously a front for the place hidden below. Another mirrored bar wrapped around the entire length of the right wall, plates of reflective glass creating the illusion the space extended past the bartender. The stools were occupied by people, most dressed in blue jeans and leather. They were laughing and drinking, taking shots and smoking cigarettes and cigars.

My eyes circled the room.

There were tables too, only scattered all around, each crammed with bodies. Some of the men held women in their arms, sharing seats. All of the people were loud. The volume of combined voices muted out conversations, making them unintelligible.

I glanced straight ahead. Several people were lined along an expanse of chunky wooden railing in the center of the room. There was a section missing and I could see wooden slats at the top, leading down.

"This way.” Caleb hugged the left wall, veering away from the bar. He led us to an empty stretch of the wooden rail, stopping and lifting his eyes to scan the crowd.

I looked down, eyes growing wide.

The Pit was fifteen feet or so deep, and at least twenty feet long. Blood—both dried and fresh—littered the walls and pale sand. Two men were at the far end, a third struggling to stand at their feet. I watched in horror as he would find his balance on wobbly legs only to be punched or kicked back down again. Each time he would repeat himself, trying to right his uncoordinated body. His face was covered in blood. I couldn't even see his mouth through the gore.

I tore my gaze away from the brutality to stare at Caleb. His beautiful face was tense, his slightly arched brows creased together, forming a thick line. An eerie glow entered his eyes, changing the color of the iris. I watched in alarm and disbelief as the blue flickered bright, then dark, before he slammed them shut.

Eyelids closed, jaw tight, his long lashes fluttered as he gritted his teeth. His body hummed ever so softly against mine as he trembled.

"Caleb?” I whispered quietly.

He struggled for several more seconds, squared jaw slowly clenching and releasing. He inhaled deeply, holding the air inside his lungs, releasing it in a slow exhale as the tension eased from his body. He waited a few moments longer, opening his eyes again and blinking rapidly as if trying to focus.

He gazed down at me—revealing his usual deep blue peepers. “It's been too long since I've been here,” he said apologetically.

A piercing scream filled the air. “Caleb?"

I turned to the voice just as Caleb cursed, “Shit."

She was beautiful, tall and lean. Her tiny heart shaped face accentuated enormous light blue eyes. The long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders was thick, trailing in heavy strands down her back. Tight black leather hugged her perfectly curved body, leaving nothing to the imagination.

She strode confidently toward us, practically gliding across the floor. Her excited eyes were intent, homed in on one person.

"Caleb!” she exclaimed again, thrusting her body into his arms and knocking me loose.

The force of the impact as she collided with Caleb sent me backward, causing the railing to split at my back. I screamed as I fell, forced into agonizing silence when the breath exited my lungs on impact with the sand below.

I pulled my knees into my chest and gasped for air, sucking in ragged draws of precious oxygen. Having the wind knocked out of me was something I didn't find pleasant, even with plenty of practice.

I saw a flash of something to the right, then another to my left. I looked up, startled and afraid. The men from the pit had moved away from the person incapacitated in the sand, circling me instead.

The noise in the room increased in volume and I scrambled to my feet. Panic swelled inside my chest, fear radiating through my body. The uproar above increased, creating an animalistic frenzy.

I realized two things in my terror—they could smell my fear, and it excited them.

The air shifted, thickening, creating a strange buzz across my skin. I watched in horror as the men stalked forward, their eyes shifting from dark to bright. Muscles and bones expanded under their flesh, making them grow taller and wider. Large veins bulged, shining teeth expanded and snapped at me. My stomach lodged in my throat as I prepared to run.

"Get behind me."

Caleb's voice was the most welcome thing my ears had ever heard. I did as instructed, slowly stepping backward. I didn't break eye contact with the two creatures snarling and snapping, too horrified to look away.

Caleb's large silhouette appeared in the corner of my left eye. He came around, closing the distance and providing a barrier from the two werewolves ready to shred me apart if presented the opportunity. They snarled louder, growls becoming vicious and angry, matching their non-human lupine faces.

One launched forward, throwing a punch which Caleb deflected harmlessly. The other attempted to deliver a blow as well, aiming for the midsection. Caleb maneuvered effortlessly out of the way, keeping his body in place, continuing to separate them from me. They persisted, making small passes, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

They chose to move together, the one on the left striking out while the one to the right tackled Caleb into the sand. They began to hit him violently, fists flying.

I glanced around in panic, searching for anything I could use. The ladder caught my attention.

If I could be fast enough, and pull a piece free, I could use it as a weapon.

I started forward, unsure of what to do but unable to bear standing by to watch the carnage.

A firm hand gripped my shoulder, startling me. “Don't do that darlin',” Billy whispered. “A man's got to have his pride."

I watched helplessly as Caleb attempted to deflect the blows that rained down on his shoulders and back. I averted my head and closed my eyes, fighting back sickness.

I didn't want to see
Caleb's
blood staining the walls and sand.

Energy surged through the pit, brushing painfully across my skin, nearly knocking me over. I gasped and stumbled, remaining on my feet by Billy's hand locked onto my shoulder. A deep growl rent the air and the force in the room intensified and shifted. The hair on my arms stood on end as the crowd above erupted into absolute chaos.

I opened my eyes and glanced up.

The rail was completely full now, bodies surging against the railing to watch. Men and women stared down, snarling and cheering, their words mangled and distorted.

The blonde girl who knocked me over was still there. Her eyes—like all the others—glowed strangely and shifted color. Her lips quavered as she chanted along with everyone else.

I glanced back down, searching for the source of the growl.

Caleb was no longer on the ground. His body contorted under his black t-shirt, the muscles in his arms expanding as his body grew and doubled in size.

I gasped at the incomprehensible thing I was witnessing and Billy patted my shoulder in understanding. “It's all right. He's a big boy, and they done pissed him off."

Caleb punched the one on his right, sending him reeling through the air, his body making solid contact with the bloodied wall. A nasty crunch vibrated in my ears and he crumpled unmoving to the sand.

Caleb moved swiftly, rushing the other werewolf and grasping him by the throat. He forced him back, pushing his body against the blood stained wall.

The sound in the room increased, voices mingling together. People yelled out frantically, tones garbled and thick.

The werewolf kicked feebly as he used his arms, attempting to deliver blows to get free. Caleb deflected each with his free hand, until the movements became sluggish and uncoordinated, before coming to a stop all together.

Caleb stepped back, releasing his hold and opening his fingers. The man crumpled to the ground, legs dropping from underneath as he slumped. The crowd erupted in cheers as the energy eased from of the pit.

I sighed in relief. My skin wasn't tingling painfully under the jacket any longer.

"See, no harm done,” Billy offered comfortingly, removing his steadying hand.

I watched Caleb's back. His arms slowly receded, muscles returning to normal. His frame shifted and his bones cracked into place. I envisioned him closing his eyes, taking deep and measured breaths as he fought that struggle within. He lifted his arms, raking hands through his thick hair. He turned around, brushing the sand free from his shirt and keeping his eyes downcast as he approached.

He was embarrassed. For some reason, having me witness this upset him.

"Thank you,” I whispered.

Emotion strained my voice and I smiled at him, crossing the space between us. He lifted his chin, gazing at me, shimmering ice blue staring back. It was different than the indigo I'd grown used to, but lovely nonetheless.

He waited until I was inches away and he reached for me, lightly touching my arm.

His voice was thick and hoarse. “We should make this look legitimate."

He didn't give me the opportunity to consider his words as he bent down, wrapping his arm around my waist and lifting me against his chest. His head bent as his mouth found my own.

If I thought Caleb smelled delicious, he tasted even better. His lips were full and soft as they brushed against mine, and my reserve melted away.

I lifted my arms around his shoulders, hands entwining in silken hair. I lost myself in the strange and irresistible pull that existed between us. I had only kissed one other person in my life, and the experience didn't even compare.

Everything but Caleb fell away in that moment. It was just him and I, our bodies impossibly close together.

"That a girl.” Billy's voice barely registered in my ears. “I'd say he earned it."

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A throat cleared and Caleb turned, keeping me nestled against his amazingly warm and solid chest as he lifted his head.

Haven had changed into a green polo and blue jeans, his hair pulled into a low ponytail. He was shaking his head at us, smiling just the same.

I blushed, cheeks burning red, and Caleb leaned down, holding me until my feet were steady on the uneven sandy turf. I peered up to see the circle had disbursed—save for one person. The lanky blonde was positively seething, glaring down at us with arms crossed over her chest.

"Sam can't make it, dude. Change of plans.” Haven motioned with his hand, indicting we should follow him to the ladder.

Billy crossed to the wooden boards first and I waited, fully expecting him to climb up. He paused, squatting down for a moment and then leaping into the air. His feet landed with a dull thud on the wooden floor and he rose to his full height, smiling down at me.

"Show off,” I muttered under my breath, impressed.

I went next, carefully maneuvering each slat until Billy reached down and helped me to my feet. I gazed down into the pit where Caleb stood watching. He motioned for me to step back, cocking an eyebrow and lifting his lip in a devious smile. Billy and I moved out of the way just as he bounded into the air, landing directly in front of me.