Moon Thrall by Donna Grant

first one in the house. His tall, muscular form filling the parlor entry. With his windblown blond hair, she knew he had been running. The fact his clothes were spotless told her he had been in wolf form.
    “Hey,” he said, his gaze going to her.
    Her heart leapt and she couldn’t help but smile when his blue eyes landed on her. He didn’t look at anyone else, and it made her stomach feel as if there were butterflies taking off. “Hey. Good news?”
    “No news,” he said as he moved over to make room for Myles to walk past as he went to Addison and kissed her.
    Skye wished Court would kiss her. It was all she’d thought about for five days since they’d almost kissed in his room.
    “Nothing?” Addison asked.
    Solomon stopped next to Court in the doorway. His gaze instantly went to Minka, who sat with her back to him. Minka was looking at her cards as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
    “What are you doing here?” Solomon asked.
    He didn’t say Minka’s name, nor did he have to. She knew he was talking to her. Skye could’ve kicked him because the little burst of excitement on Minka’s face vanished instantly, her hackles rising.
    Minka played her next card and said, with her voice dripping with sarcasm, “So good to see you too, Solomon. No, I don’t have anything to share, but I’m so glad you asked.”
    Skye watched as Court elbowed Solomon in the side before motioning his head to Minka.
    Solomon rolled his eyes dramatically. “Of course, you’re welcome in the house, Minka. We would appreciate anything you can add to help.”
    He said the words tightly, as if each syllable was painful to get past his lips.
    “Of course,” Minka replied silkily.
    Skye set the rest of her cards face down on the table. “Still nothing? I don’t understand.”
    “We don’t either.” Court ran a hand through his hair. “There are no tracks out there other than ours.”
    “This makes no sense,” Riley said. “If the vamps want her, and they know she’s here, why haven’t they attacked? Or at least tried.”
    Minka lifted her eyes to Skye. “They’re waiting on something.”
    That’s when it hit Skye. A small tremor raced down her back. “They’re waiting for me to leave.”
    Minka nodded slowly. “They have all the time in the world. They know you’ll eventually think you’re safe and return home.”
    “Not going to happen,” Court stated.
    Skye glanced at him. Minka was right. She was getting lax. With every day that passed without vampires or other supernatural creatures attacking, she began to think she had imagined it all.
    “I can’t stay here forever. Nor will the Moonstone clan remain,” Skye said.
    Court shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking. The answer is no. We already put you out there once. Not. Happening.”
    “I can’t live like this, and neither can any of you. I will never be able to repay what any of you have done for me, but we all know we’ll have to make a decision soon.”
    Myles rested his hands on Addison’s shoulders as he stood behind her chair. “I hate to agree, but Skye’s right.”
    “The vamps knew we would retreat here,” Riley said and flatted her lips. “Man, I hate those assholes.”
    “It’s not just the vampires,” Minka pointed out.
    That was the kicker. They had no idea which one of the factions was helping the vampires. Magic was being used, but that could be the Djinn, witches, or even Delphine.
    “Give me another few days,” Court asked Skye. “Please.”
    She nodded, unable to tell him no. He turned on his heel and walked out of the house. She tracked him through the window in the parlor until he was out of sight.
    “If there’s anything to find, Court will find it,” Myles said.
    Skye slid her gaze to him and forced a smile. “I think you’re right.”
    “You mean a lot to him,” Solomon said.
    Skye’s heart missed a beat. The very idea that that could be true made her extremely happy. She looked at him. “Why do