Runner's Moon: Yarrolam Read Online Free PDF Page B

won’t be gone long.”
                “Do you think we’re in danger here?”
                “No,” he admitted truthfully. “I think we’re safe. At least, for tonight.”
                “Then why do you have to go out again?”
                Her flesh was warm and firm beneath his palms. She wore a soft, sleeveless T-shirt and a pair of silk pajama bottoms. The combination made her appear vulnerable.
                “For my peace of mind,” he insisted.
                “All right, but I’m staying up and waiting for you until you get back.”
                Her earnestness made him smile.
                He slipped out the door, pausing to hear her turn the deadbolt and draw the chain latch. With her secured inside, he hurried around to the rear of the motel where there were no windows overlooking the back area. After removing his clothes and leaving them behind a stack of cardboard boxes, he shed his human self.
                The night washed over him, pure and clean. Yarrolam lifted his face toward the half moon as it peered between the clouds. He caught the stench of gasoline and oil, of cars and machinery. But there was also the green of trees and grass. Not far away was an open field. A place where he could run free, unrestrained. And think.
                Smiling to himself, Yarrolam took off for the edge of town.

Chapter 6
    APB
     
     
                There was something different about Liam Vost. Different, strange, and a little frightening.
                No. It was more than a little frightening.
                It had been a restless night for both of them. She had watched some nonsensical movie until he’d returned. By the time he had showered, she’d already fallen asleep.
                He was awake before she was. Once she was up, he’d gone back outside for another look around. Cherron quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and blouse, foregoing makeup and fixing her hair. Instead, she opted for a ponytail.
                Pushing aside the curtain, she peered out the window, at the motel parking lot. The place was half full. Everything appeared normal. People exited or entered their rooms. Another car pulled up next to Liam’s, and for a moment her stomach churned with fear until a man, a woman, and a little boy got out.
                She glanced at the pistol lying on the chair a few feet away. If anyone tried to break down the door, they would have a surprise waiting for them.
                A big surprise.
                She closed her eyes. For the umpteenth time, she wondered if she’d imagined what she’d seen last night. When Liam had fought those men, what had happened to his hands? At first, she’d thought Liam had put on a pair of gloves, but when would he have done that? It didn’t make any sense for someone to pull on what appeared to be a pair of dark green gardening gloves. But when they got into the car, the gloves were gone, as if he’d jerked them off and left them in the parking lot. If he’d stuffed them into a pocket, there would be a bulge. There was no bulge. And she seriously doubted he would have gone to the trouble of bringing a pair of gloves with him to pick her up at the airport, when he planned to take her out to eat. It made not one bit of sense. Yet, she could remember the sight of those massive hands with the…
                Claws?
                A sound came from outside. She inhaled quickly and backed away from the window. Cautiously, she lifted the curtain again and took another peek. Someone was getting something from the trunk of his car. He slammed down the lid, then retreated back into his room. The sound of the slam reminded her of the man hitting the car when Liam jumped him.
                “Jumped? Hell. He has steel springs for legs. I don’t think an