Free September Moon by Trina M Lee Page A

the tequila. “He’s helping Shya? I can’t believe him!”
    Willow held up a hand to silence my rant before I could really get rolling. “No, it isn’t like that. Shya’s got him running around, checking out places of worship that the demons can’t get into, in case the church is holding it. He’s not doing it for Shya. He’s doing it for you.”
    My gaze met Shaz’s. He tried to keep a neutral expression. It didn’t work. Kale was a sensitive subject. “Why would a demon relic be hidden in a church?” I carefully tried to avoid the topic by focusing on the details.
    “To keep the demons from reclaiming it,” Willow answered with a shrug, like it should be self-explanatory. “I don’t know who hid it or if it even is in a church. But Shya seems to think so. Like I said, talk to Kale.”
    “Kale and I aren’t on the best of terms right now,” I said, unable to hide my bitterness.
    Willow shoved the liquor bottle back my way. “Might I suggest you get over it? He’s your second, Alexa. You need him.”
    “My second?”
    “Talk to him, Alexa.”
    One more shot, and I was ready to claw my own tongue. “You said Shya’s been searching churches. I suppose that’s as good a place as any to start.”
    “I’m coming with you. I can help identify the places demons can’t enter.” Willow drank back a large swallow straight out of the bottle. He shoved the almost empty bottle aside and rose. “I was your guardian once. I’ll be by your side through this.”
    I was at a loss for words. With a strangled sob, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him close. “I’m so sorry Shya took her from you,” I whispered, blinking furiously. “I promise I will make him pay for that. Somehow.”
    Willow’s embrace was tight and affectionate, a friendly squeeze that allowed me a glimpse into the lonely creature that he was. He was a victim of love and circumstance. He didn’t deserve to suffer like this.
    Shya wouldn’t get away with what he’d done to Willow. I didn’t know how I’d make good on that promise, but I would find a way.

 
    Chapter Six
     
     
    “Son of a bitch.” I swore softly while scrolling through a web page listing every church in the city. “It’s going to take days to check them all out. Maybe weeks. We don’t have that kind of time.”
    The three of us sat in my car, mapping out a game plan. With so many possibilities, it was a tad discouraging.
    “It won’t be so bad,” Willow answered, leaning across from the passenger seat to get a look at the list on my phone. “What we want to find are the churches that I can’t enter. Those will be our best bet. Start with the catholic churches.”
    “Right. There’s only fifty listed right here. That’s not even all of them.” I wanted to get this first search over with before Arys got home.
    Willow pointed to an address on the map. “Let’s start there.”
    I found myself staring at him again in solemn silence. The urge to fuss over him was strong. I wished there was something I could do to ease his pain. Insulting him with pity was not my intent so I bit back the sympathetic tirade and started the car.
    “We need more manpower,” Shaz suggested. He sat in the back seat, hands folded behind his head. “If we had more people we could split up, cover more ground.”
    Jez and Kale immediately came to mind. I didn’t have a lot of people I could trust with this. Unfortunately, my sister and the FPA were not among the few. Too bad. They definitely had manpower.
    “We have to be careful. If Shya finds out we’re doing this, he’s going to be pissed.” I called Jez again and once again got her voicemail. After leaving yet another message, I hung up and turned to the guys. “I guess it’s just us for tonight.”
    Neither of them questioned me about Kale, and I was thankful for that. My impending death and predicament with Shya had to be my priority. My scorned lover would have to be patient. He would get his turn to put me