Free Autumn Moon by Karen Michelle Nutt

When? How?” She shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
    “Our family is from a long line of sorcerers. We were to teach your mother, but she wanted no part of it. She ran away with that Irish bast …” He cleared his throat. “Your father. Then when you came to live with us, we thought we would teach you our ways, so you would know how to keep the otherworldly at bay. We thought there would be time. Then Jin died and I didn’t have the heart.” He took a ragged breath. “A grave mistake, I see. I will have to give you a crash course.”
    “My brother said something would happen during the Dragon parade,” Jairec offered.
    Her grandfather nodded. “Then this is why the fireworks were stolen.”
    Autumn and Jairec exchanged looks. Jairec lifted his shoulders in a shrug and she shook her head not knowing what her grandfather was talking about either.
    Her grandfather clicked his tongue. “Thunder can kill a chiang-shih. The sound radiates through the body, setting off a chain reaction. Boom!” He clapped his hands together, making Autumn jump. “The fireworks may not do the trick, but it would hamper their abilities. Don’t you know this chiang-shih?” His gaze landed on Jairec.
    “His name is Jairec, Grandfather.”
    “Is it now?”
    “I’m afraid that I’m limited in the knowledge of what I can and cannot do.” Jairec told Chin.
    “Interesting, an innocent chiang-shih. A first I am sure.”
    “It wasn’t my choice to be one, but I believe my brother embraced the change. He’s never chosen his friends wisely. Perhaps he is the one who released this Heng, you’ve mentioned.”
    “You’ve protected your brother, in the past haven’t you?”
    “Aye.”
    “Only this time you are in over your head. You can’t save him.”
    “Grandfather, please.”
    “What?” He looked at Autumn. “You don’t want me to speak the truth. He is up against the first preternatural being, a born chiang-shih. If his brother went willingly, he is already lost to Heng and will do his bidding.” He turned his attention back to Jairec. “He is already doomed. Do you understand?”
    “Aye.” He nodded. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “I understand.”
    Chin eyed Autumn. She fidgeted with the collar on her turtleneck. Even sleeveless it was too warm to wear and it prickled her neck. Chin’s narrowed gaze sharpened and she let her hand drop. He walked over to her and yanked down the collar.
    He then whirled on Jairec who had the decency to look abashed. “You want me to trust you but you nibble on my granddaughter’s neck?”
    “I … didn’t mean …”
    Autumn pulled away. ”Grandfather, it isn’t what you think.”
    He cursed again and pointed a finger at Jairec. “You not only sneak into my granddaughter’s life when you have no right, but you steal her innocence as well. You have no honor.”
    “Grandfather, stop. I asked him to stay,” Autumn defended him.
    “He’s right,” Jairec spoke up.
    “What did you say?” Chin looked at him.
    “You’re right, sir. I should have walked away, but I let my feelings for her override caution. But know this:  I would never hurt her.”
    Chin stood there, his nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. Then he released his breath in a whoosh. “Follow me,” he ordered
    Autumn followed too, but her grandfather turned around, halting her. “Just the chiang-shih.”
    Autumn didn’t understand why her grandfather wanted Jairec, but she knew by his stance that she should not question him.
    She bowed. “As you wish, Grandfather.”
    Jairec followed the old man to the back room where they had found the book. Chin eyed Jairec, making him feel like a bug under a microscope. “Why did you come here?”
    “The Seer.”
    “The Seer? Gladys, the old bat is still giving advice?”
    “Aye.”
    “And what did she tell you?”
    “She told me Autumn Moon was my destiny and the end of the festival would be my demise if I didn’t drink from the elixir. She