Free The Moon Rises by Angela Horn Page B

yet you’re vulnerable at the same time. I guess I’m
saying to just be you with all your staring and innocence, but also be aware of
how everyone is full of shit.”
    “Are you full of shit?”
    Sara grinned, showing her bright white teeth.
“Yeah, probably. I really fell for Simon’s crap and I got all blushing teenager
around the Weres in the beginning.  Still I think them hurting me doesn’t
matter as much as if they hurt you. I have a lifetime of experience to help me
deal with rejection and heartbreak. You don’t have that so I want you to be
safe.”
    “I’m glad you want to be my friend.”
    “And I’m glad Silas hired you instead of some
dumb bitch who only cared about tips. I was really depressed about Katia
because it seemed like I was surrounded by people who didn’t give a shit about
her life being taken away, but then you came along and gave me hope.”
    Gigi watched Sara and thought about what Ella and
Michael said about finding Katia. Sara reached across the table and patted her
hand.
    “I know she’s dead. Everyone knows which is why
they think it doesn’t matter, but someone needs to care. Katia had no one in
her life. She grew up in foster care, didn’t speak to her birth parents, was
trying to make a life for herself, but she was essentially alone. Someone needs
to care and we do care so that’s something. In the Circle, sometimes all anyone
gets is to be remembered. Because of you and me, at least someone remembers
Katia was here.”
    Gigi smiled. “I wish I knew her.”
    “She was really serious most of the time, but at
work, she acted all silly to get good tips. Sometimes we’d hang out at her
place and she would make fun of how she acted and it was hilarious because she
knew how stupid she seemed with all the giggling. I miss her and I wish you
could have met her too.”
    Gigi liked hearing Sara talk about Katia even
though it caused the heavy sensation in her chest to deepen. Katia was just
gone and the finality unnerved Gigi.
    “Be careful with Simon,” Sara said suddenly. “He
can enthrall you in very subtle ways. Do you know what enthrall means?” Gigi nodded.
“Well he’s not one of those Vamps who entrances his prey and controls them. He
relaxes you so you’ll tell him things you normally wouldn’t. Once you tell him
things and he reacts in such a nice way, you trust him and tell him more.
    “Soon you trust him to the point of wanting to do
things for him. Well actually with him. The trick is that you’re actually
making your own decisions. He’s not forcing you in an obvious way. It’s like
his lies. They’re subtle so you don’t pick up on them. If any guy makes a move
on you soon, it’ll be Simon. He won’t care about Finn or any other male.  He
will enthrall you just enough to get your guard down and soon you’ll not only
want to sleep with him, but to be changed. Trust me, though, being a Vamp
sucks. It’s why they all look so cranky. Simon doesn’t because he’s been around
long enough to hide his feelings, but the newer Vamps are all moody. Yeah,
don’t let him change you.”
    “I won’t. Did he try to change you?”
    Sara glanced around and frowned. “Yeah and I
almost let him. It’s hard to tell Simon no because he sounds so very reasonable
and you feel safe with him, but it’s the enthrallment, not some actual safety
you have with him. While he wants you, yes, he would keep you safe, but his
interest is fleeting. We’re just ants to him and ants are only entertaining for
so long.”
    “How did you know not to let him change you?”
    Poking at her food, Sara shrugged. “Growing up, I
had a teacher who I thought was so cool and smart and I wanted to grow up and
be like her. I’d wanted that dream for so long that it was just a part of who I
was. So when I was thinking about giving up my life and essentially becoming
Simon’s plaything, that need to be a teacher was stronger than my need to
please him. It seems silly how I would be