Free Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima Page A

were.
    It might have earned the welcome he sought, if worry hadn’t tightened her chest. “Do your parents know you’re here?” She knew they didn’t but asked the question anyway.
    â€œI overheard them talking,” he hedged. “Porter’s busy securing the outer gates. Sarah, Gabe and Cormack are outside your orchard and the rest of the guards are regrouping at the bend of Yellow Moss stream. Mom went with Enid to warn everyone in town—”
    â€œSo no one saw you leave,” Elen finished. Sophie, no doubt, had told him to stay put. “Your mother will worry if she comes back and you’re not there.”
    Their territory was massive; it included a village in the valley of a mountain region, along with several lakes, notable rivers and countless streams all joined within a wildlife refuge that protected the territory from modern development. The enormity of their land posed an almost insurmountable challenge for defenses, especially when hunted by creatures who thrived in such a concealed, and vast, environment.
    â€œShe’ll be pissed,” he said with a determined tone, so like his father it was eerie. Stubborn as wolves, the two of them were, and just as courageous. “But I’m old enough now to be drafted for human wars, and it’s not right for you to face yours alone.”
    Elen wasn’t sure what might burst her heart more: love or fear?
    â€œI’m not alone,” she pointed out while turning toward the horizon. The afternoon sun had yet to sink below the canopy of trees, but they only had an hour, if that, before it fully set. “And you know this isn’t a human battle we’re dealing with.”
    â€œAre you saying human wars aren’t dangerous?” he challenged.
    â€œYou know I’m not.” Just as she knew when an argument was futile—and when to call for reinforcements. She unclipped her cell phone from her waist and hit Sophie’s number. Dylan didn’t trust the modern devices, even though Porter secured their connection, but Sophie always answered hers.
    She picked up on the first ring. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
    â€œI’m fine,” Elen said, “but Joshua’s here.”
    A curse that would make Cormack proud came across their connection. “I’m on my way.”

Nine

    When Cormack returned to Elen’s cottage, he found it filled with her family. Dylan remained quiet at the kitchen window, looking out toward the fields, while Sophie paced in front of the stove. A solid woman with protective instincts as fierce as wolves, Dylan’s mate formed a menacing presence with a serpent whip wrapped around her waist and a glare to match.
    â€œMy son has decided to stay here with his aunt,” Sophie explained when Cormack entered the room.
    This was not the quarrel he wanted to intrude upon, but he understood a man’s need for independence. “Joshua is of an age to make that decision. And from what I’ve heard from other guards, he’s proven more than capable.”
    â€œYou sound like my husband.” Sophie’s tone held a mixture of anxiety and acceptance that her child was now an adult who didn’t need her permission. “And you’re right. Allof you.” She nodded as if it were a soothing gesture to calm her fear, proof that this human was no coward. “I don’t like the idea of her facing Pendaran alone either. Whatever comes—we’ll face it together.”
    â€œAs you can see,” Dylan said without humor or argument, “the plans have changed. Porter and Sarah have been informed and will alert the others. Porter’s staying at Rhuddin Hall, and Sarah is positioned on Emerald Trail. They’ll contact us if they see anything.”
    â€œThe forest around the cottage is clear,” Cormack reported. “But the sun is about to set.” He searched the gathering room beyond the