And just like Luna, Tempest was able to see through my disguise and pretense after a few days.
“No, you’re not Dante, Shadow’s son.You’re Shadow.I know you are.I’ll call you Dante if that’s what you want, but you’re the same Shadow as before.”
Nothing changed for the first couple of years—until one day it did.
I smelt the change and for the first time, I was made to feel awkward by it.Her body had filled out, the skinny girl was gone, replaced by a lithe young woman with red hair flowing past her trim waist.
Tempest noticed my reluctance to hang out with her and asked me why.
“You’re a lady now, Tempest.Time for you to think about visiting some dance halls or discos on the mainland during the summer, don’t you agree?”
Shrugging off my suggestion, Tempest Aherne shook her head.
“No, thanks.I think my daddy should build an accommodation facility on Landslide so that the day trippers can stay overnight.And if I happen to meet someone nice during their visit, they can stay here with me.But he must be like you, Dante.I want him to be a biker just like you.”
And that was when all our problems began.
Because Tempest did meet someone just like me.And he found Tempest to be very much to his taste.
ChapterFifteen
Luna
Isleep until late.No dreams disturb my deep slumber.And for that I am grateful.
My brain desperately needs time to process everything.
It’s too crazy to write in a diary.Too bizarre to believe it could be true.But the image needles my memory like a splinter: Shadow’s face morphing into black and white; his skin as white as a marble statue’s, his eye sockets like twin black holes.
No matter how many times I pull the pillow over my head, it doesn’t change the facts I must face.
I don’t know if Shadow Sylva is human.
Sitting up in bed, I slump against the headboard with my arms crossed.
What did you see that made you believe such fiction, Luna Blackwood?
When the artificial overhead light dimmed and flickered on and off, I saw the cloak of humanity Shadow uses as camouflage.
With the lights on, he’s a healthy, well-built man, maybe even a bit of a gym bro, at least that’s what his lean physique and bulging muscles tell me.No doubt I could play the xylophone on his rock-hard abs if I really wanted to—but that would be such a waste of all that gorgeous tautness.Shadow’s best body part lies strictly south of his abdominal muscles.
The perfect symmetry of his ruggedly masculine features aside, Shadow’s sexiness is bone deep.When I was sitting on his lap last night, I could feel the thick shaft of his cock writhing under the weight of my soft mound like some hungry serpent eager to strike.
Every time he touches me, it feels so… right.I can’t explain it more than that.
But I can no longer allow my desire to see him naked to cloud my judgment.
“That’s it!”Sitting up, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and plant them on the floor with a loud thump.“I’m going to spend today searching for the truth!I’m tired of fumbling around in the dark like some Goddamn Landslide newbie.”
Sensing that something exciting is going to happen, Muohta jumps off the bed, does one of those dog-yoga poses, yawns, and then trots downstairs for breakfast.
My ankle complains a bit when I point my toes to put on socks, but the purple bruising has faded to a faint yellow-brown.On Landslide, all I ever do to dress in the mornings is change out my underwear and then wriggle into jeans and a t-shirt.
Impatience pulses inside me as I take the time to drink coffee and munch toast.Darting upstairs to rinse out my mouth with Listerine, I grab my coat off the hook in the hallway as I head out.
“Come on, Mu.Let’s go.”
This time, I make sure to lock the door and turn the handle to double check.
