The rest of the weekend passed by within a blur. Though I never had nightmares about what happened Friday night, it still plagued my thoughts.
What happened among the Young Council was somewhat shocking. Yet, the incident was helpful. At least, we were aware the Red Moon was in effect.
Around town, all concerns were transferred to the hot topic, The Red Moon. An event that would take place within the next five nights. The night all the Young Council members dreaded. In fact, all the civilians of the town were on alert because of this one night.
During the weekend, some romances were already blooming. Male species went around sporting triumph smiles. While females bore love marks or mixed scents. No doubt, cupid was ecstatic with his handy work. Until he saw the other set of people. Well, most of the affected people. Those who were set on rejecting their mates.
Though a stung from cupid's arrow and the pull from the Red Moon was strong, their self-determination was caused by a few factors. The two prominent causes were being mated with a hated species, or their mates were already in a relationship. Either way, they tried to reject their mates.
Sad to say, the closer we got to the night of the Red Moon, the harder it would be to reject our mates.
Colin and Josh came to mind.
Even though I've never liked Colin, seeing how helpless and defeated he looked Friday night triggered some kind of feeling towards him. Maybe it was sympathy or empathy. Maybe a little of both. Colin would have to watch Eric and Sabrina together five days a week. Somehow, that thought bothered me.
Oh, Lord.
It was unbearable thinking of poor Linsday. She seemed like a sweet woman. Maybe Colin deserved to be tortured, but not Lindsay.
Josh and Courtney were a jigsaw puzzle to themselves. Why was Josh disgusted by being with Courtney? No doubt, Courtney might have found out by now she was Josh's mate. What would her reaction be? Were Josh's feelings reciprocated?
A long breath left my lips.
All this constant thinking was hurting my brain.
I slipped from the comfort of my bed to the transparent doors leading to the balcony. I pushed the drapes along with the doors aside and walked onto the balcony. I rocked on my heels and cast a gaze to the sky, praying everything would work out.
Sighing aloud, I glimpsed a shadow below. I braced on the railing, trying to see more clearly. The figure skipped on the grass. It didn't take long to figure out it was the same mystery guy from Saturday History Class. He was again clothed in the same black hoodie. The mystery guy paused every few minutes then went back to skipping. It took a while to realize he was dodging the hidden cameras around the yard. Full evidence he knew his environment. He had been here before. Weird.
Mother and Father never met with anyone after eight in the night. Even if Father did, it was at his office in the High Council building. Mother didn't see anyone unless it was a must, and when she did, it was only witches. This fellow was far from being a female or which. Which got me wondering, why none of my parents noticed him. Mother had an eagle's eye. She saw everything. Except for this stranger.
Without much thought, I climbed on the railing, and walked onto the roof, following the intruder. He strode to the back of the house and again paused. I, too, froze, praying he wouldn't look up. He cocked his head to the side, his gaze dancing around him. I held my breath. Silver eyes glistened in the moonlight.
Shoot! What was I going to do if he looked up?
There was nowhere on the roof I could hide.
To my luck, another figure strolled up to him, cutting off the mystery man's three-sixty turn.
I relaxed and released the breath I held.
The two men did a fist bump greeting and walked to the entrance of the garden. I hopped onto the roof of the attic, getting a clearer view of the backyard. Deep in their hushed conversation neither noticed my intrusion. They planted themselves on the edge of the angelic fountain, snickering. I crouched at the edge of the roof, focusing on the men.
As before, no words met my eardrums. The movement of their lips interpreted gibberish.
Ugh! What the hell?
A little while later, I got bored and imagined their conversation. Their body language looked anything but hostile. Which meant they were having a friendly conversation, or maybe something to do with business. Father and his Advisors or with other High Council members spoke only of business when they were near each other. It was both nauseating and boring. But, this situation was different. Why would Brian and Kyle meet in secret?
Before I knew it, I was flat on my stomach, my elbows propped up and chin in palms. Everything around them appeared more interesting. The slight wind played with Brain's hair. The hoodie top blew up and flattened with each stroke from the wind. Its playfulness exposed some of Kyle's hair front.
A loose strand fell in my face. It flopped with each breath released from my lips. In the same breath, Kyle stood, bidding his farewell. I shot up, crawling to the edge of the roof. The men shook hands, did a bro hug, and walked out of the garden. Then, without warning, Kyle looked up, right at me.
My eyes widened and my heart stopped. I pushed from the edge, falling backward. Thinking fast, my nails hooked under the plates of the roof. My toes dug in their rough texture to halt my clumsiness.
Safe, I peeked below to check if the gang was alerted. A sigh of relief washed over me at the two men chatting. Deciding to play it smart, I retreated to my room.
It never took Brian long before he came walking through my door adorned in his underwear.
"I need help," he whined. His eyes closed before he flopped face down in the bed.
Why was Kyle here? Why did you guys look so chummy? Those questions were a few of the queries fighting to be asked. Regardless, I asked something else, "With what?"
He groaned, the majority was muffled by the sheets.
I arched a brow. "I'm sorry, I didn't get that."
Brian flipped over on his back, clasping his hands behind his head. His eyes were glued to the ceiling. "I found my mate."
Mate? Wait, was it Kyle?