Free MoonLife by Sherri Ann Smith

Wendy.”
    “I know , right ? I think we were lucky those girls stood up for us or you might be on your way to Lars right now.”
    “Totally. Scary thought too that she could get into the compound.” With that there was a knock on the door. Dante, Bram, Dario and Ludwik came in the room.  Following them was another man I hadn’t met before.
    “This is Xander . H e is going to put wards around the room so Talia can’t pop in here and surprise us , ” Bram said as he showed Xander around the two adjoining rooms. “He has already warded the hallways and the outer areas . H e just needs to finish the interiors.”
    I leaned over to Dario , who was standing next to me and asked what warding the rooms meant. He explained to me that Talia had used spells to get in and out of the compound. The wards allowed us to block those spells and keep her and anyone else from popping in.
    Xander did a few waves of his arms and chanted a few verses in a language I didn’t recognize. In his hand he had a pouch full of dried herbs. He sprinkled them over the doorways and around the windows. He then drew designs in the air over the windows and on the doors. Finally he took out what looked like salt and place a pile in each corner.  With that he left, telling Bram that we were safe as long as we didn’t leave the rooms or the hallway.
    Good to know , I thought . I t was getting late and sleep was calling. I said goodnight to my protectors. Who , I was told, would be to be stationed at both Wendy ’s and my bedroom doors all night. We were not to close our doors and had to be visible to the guards on duty all night. Ugh! I don’t sleep well without Sebastian , let alone when a strange guy is standing near the bed watching my every move. Yes, I realize they were guys that we had gotten to know a little, but still. Did they have to be so damn cute? What if I drool in the night? Will I find a picture of that on Facebook in the morning? I instantly saw a status update: Princess Kali drooling…great.
    I said goodnight to Wendy and headed to my bathroom. I changed in there for a little privacy and climbed into bed. I took my mental metal ski cap off and looked for Sebastian.
    Sebastian…are you there?
    I paused . N othing back from him. Wonder if he has his thoughts closed off or maybe he’s sleeping. I decided to try again, this time to get a reaction.
    Last time we’ll sleep apart and guaranteed last time I sleep with another man.
    WHAT?
    Ah, you are there.
    Sleeping with another man , are you?
    Yeah, I have Dante here. Do you mind?
    Dante here where?
    I’m in bed. He’s here next to me. Is that okay? You wanted me protected right?
    Sadie, I have had a horrible night. Not being there to protect you when Talia showed up has been almost unbearable. I cannot dare to think of Dante being in that bed with you.
    Settle down, he’s only doing just what you ordered. He is standing guard at my door watching me sleep.
    I did not order him to watch you sleep.
    He said he was not supposed to let me out of his sight. No bedroom doors closed, and they are to watch Wendy and I sleep.
    Dante told you that? Was that before or after the Talia incident?
    I thought for a moment.
    It was after, when they all got back from fighting Talia. Come to think of it, they never said what happened to Talia, if she got away or not.
    Can you see Dante?
    Yes, he’s standing right next to the door.
    What color are his eyes?
    The bed was a little ways from where he was standing guard at the door, so I had to struggle to see his eyes. But after a few seconds of concentrating on them in the dimness they began to shine so brightly I had no trouble seeing their color.
    They are bright green , v ery vibrant . I hadn’t noticed that before.
    Dammit I was afraid of that, Dante has brown eyes. Sadie , listen carefully to me now. What are you wearing?
    Now , really? Now ? Y ou want to do that now?
    No, I want to know what you’re wearing so we can make a plan.
    Oh , well