Free Moon Shadows by Nora Roberts

I’ve told no one else, and you need to see what I’ve allowed no one else to see. And once you do, if you’re done with me, I won’t blame you. But I need you to come with me now, give me just a little more time.”
    â€œI want to help you. I think I can help you if—”
    â€œGod, I hope you’re right. Just come. I need to go downstairs. It’ll be sunset soon.”
    He went with her, with the dog patiently trotting behind them. She unlocked the basement door, relocked it when they were on the other side.
    She heard him catch his breath when he saw her lab, the cell, the cameras and equipment below.
    â€œYou’re shocked,” she began. “And you’re confused.”
    â€œThat’s the mild take. For God’s sake, Simone, I’m not going to believe you’re some sort of mad scientist, or the female version of Oz.”
    â€œOz?” She stopped, goggled at him. “Oz, from Buffy ? You watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer ?”
    â€œI caught it a couple of times. Okay, yeah, so? It makes a lot more sense for me to watch a well-written television show than for you to think you’re a werewolf.”
    â€œActually, I prefer the term lycan . Werewolf brings up images from old horror movies. Lon Chaney or whoevertromping around in the fog in a pair of tight pants, on two legs. Buffy got it closer to reality.”
    â€œOh yeah, reality.” He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, and she watched his struggle for patience. “You can’t keep living like this. If you trust me enough to tell me all this, then trust me enough to let me find the right doctors, the right treatments for you.”
    â€œA picture’s worth a couple of million words. There are tapes.” She moved to the camera and tripod. “I record every change, study the tapes to see if there’s any improvement, any alteration. You can study them for yourself if you like. Or use the equipment here, study the blood samples.”
    â€œYou’re medicating yourself.” He gestured toward the vials, the herbs, the bottles of pills. And his patience snapped. “Goddamn it, Simone, this has to stop. It’s going to stop.”
    â€œMy fondest wish.” Odd, she thought, the more angry he became, the calmer she was. “If nothing happens after sundown, I’ll do whatever you want me to do. See any doctor, have any test, check myself into the nearest padded room. I swear it.”
    â€œDamn right you will.”
    Yes, she thought, the calmer she became—and glanced over with what was nearly a smile. “You’re pushy when you’re mad. Interesting.”
    â€œI can get a lot pushier.”
    â€œI can’t remember the last time anyone was actively angry with me, or upset for me. I’m going to have to decide if I like it. All I ask is that you give me the next twenty minutes, and that you promise—swear to me—no matter what happens, you won’t try to get within five feet of the cage.”
    â€œYou’re not locking yourself in there.”
    â€œTwenty minutes. It’s not that much to ask when I’ve given you my word that I’ll do whatever you think best if you’re right, and I’m wrong.”
    He tossed up his hands, a kind of silent and frustrated acquiescence.
    â€œAmico won’t let you approach the cage, but I don’t want him to have to hurt you. Promise me.”
    â€œFine. You’ve got my word. I won’t go near the cage. And in twenty minutes, you and I are going to sit down and figure out the best way I can help you.”
    â€œAll right.” She stepped to the camera, turned it on. “The keys to the basement door are there, on the table. If you want to go, I understand. Just lock up behind you. Take this.” She drew off her cross. “Leave it if you go. I can’t get out,” she continued, walking to the cage and working the combination on the