Page 68 of Lunar Diamonds
Isaac interjected again. “Around the house? You want shelter, too?”
“He would have to stay here if bonded to Riley,” Erin said.
Why me? If he’d asked me to do this back at Glitter Fox, I’d have probably played along. Well, no, actually. I liked to think I had a bit more self-respect than that.
Realization began to sink in, along with a sense of duty. My feelings didn’t matter, and neither did my protestations. The greater good did. The future of this house, of the world.
Who was I to steamroll everything?
I sat on the floor, crossing my legs, in need of a spiced rum and coke. “We need those diamonds. End of.” I looked his way. “Sure, Drake. Let’s bond.”
At that moment, the blue orb decided to return.
Chapter 17
DRAKE
Riley collapsed onto his knees. The instinct to help moved me toward him.
“Stay back!” Erin barked, getting to her feet. “Do not lay a hand on The Moon.”
Her soft-ish nature broke, a darker rage breaking free.
I froze, watching her move toward Riley.
“Moon be mine,” he whispered, rocking back and forth. “Moon is here. Moon is mine. Star cannot be followed. His light does not shine. Sun too bright, too bright, too bright.”
Isaac slid over to his brother’s side. “Riley?”
“Be careful,” Erin warned.
I moved around him, getting a better view of his face. His eyes were wide and glassy, the pupils dilated. He dropped his hands, wrapping his arms around himself while he continued to rock.
Lost. In a trance, possibly under a spell.
I put this to Erin and Isaac.
“No magic can pass the protection,” she responded.
“Are you certain?” I returned.
“Absolutely. Riley? Come back to us.”
“Moon is mine,” he said.
“What does that mean?” Isaac asked.
Erin pulled out her phone. “You may need to cast a spell if this doesn’t pass.” She fired off a series of messages, her brow furrowed.
“Shall I try using my sunlight on him?”
Erin shook her head. “Don’t touch him.” Her phone pinged with a text message. “Ollie will be here shortly with some ingredients.” She leaned forward to address Riley. “Hang in there.”
“We’re just going to wait?” The Sun said, his eyes narrowing.
“There is nothing else we can do.”
The supermodel didn’t like that answer, but he stayed where he was.
