Page 23 of Moonlight Hearts

“No, I just want to hold you.”The heat in his voice, the desire to simply be with me that he didn’t even try hiding, made me happy.

Chapter Eight

Thenextmorning,Iturned over in bed, reaching across the soft sheets, but Soyer wasn’t there.That realization woke me faster than an alarm could have.After the witch, I usually felt safer when he was here.At the same time, I knew that most of the fear was irrational, just as all the things the witch had made me believe were irrational.

I turned the other way to get to my phone and check the time.Just a little after noon.That was pretty early for me these days, but since Soyer wasn’t here, I decided there was no reason to linger.

I got up and saw that Soyer had laid out a set of the very soft sweats he’d bought for me.He’d picked the ones with the light blue shirt and the darker pants; a similar color layout to my uniform.When he’d got me this set, I’d secretly wondered if he liked seeing me in my uniform, if these sweats had spoken to him because of that.I was smiling even as I stretched and pulled them on.

I made my way to the bathroom, and from there, I went down the winding staircase to what looked like an empty apartment.That made my smile falter.

“Soyer?”

There was no response, but a thermos stood on the kitchen island next to yesterday’s breads, now stowed away in plastic containers that were neatly piled there.I had an uneasy feeling, and sure enough, Soyer had made me coffee, even set out a cup for me underneath which he’d tucked a note written out in his intricate copperplate.It read,

My Heart,

I apologize for leaving you.I had to take a meeting.Please text me when you read this.

Soyer.

I sighed, poured myself some coffee, and took it over to the couch before opening the chat on my phone.

You always manage to sneak out, and I never notice.

Soyer’s answer came fast.

Always?I loathe leaving you alone in bed, so that seems the wrong word.

Did you sleep well?

Yes.Having coffee now.Might head to work early just to spite you.

You explain all that overtime to Dwayne then.He should be there today.

He actually asked for you to come in early, just around 5.The new manager is going to start, and Dwayne wants you there to evaluate, do the onboarding or whatever you call it.

I might not make it back before then.

I sipped my coffee, wondering what I should do until then.Five o’clock was still a long way off.I had books I wanted to read, and hanging out with Elias was always an option.

No worries, I’ll be there.

I started typing again, but hesitated.I wanted to ask when Soyer would come in, whether he’d be late at all.But he was probably busy with…whatever the Black Shuck got busy with.

He didn’t need to worry about me feeling lonely for no good reason.Besides, once I was at work, it would be like any other day.He’d come by around midnight, maybe earlier, but until then, I was fine with Ben, the job enough to keep me busy and stop me missing Soyer.Or not miss him all too much anyway.

If you go out, remember to let Ben know.

I groaned.“Typical.”

Whatever you say.Can Ben get a raise?You know, because if he ever plans a date with the writer but has to cancel on short notice because he has to act as my bodyguard, that seems only fair.

Amory, careful.But very well, tell Ben you just got him a raise when you next see him.Which will be…?

I was about to write something teasing, but I didn’t.Soyer had come for me when the witch had taken me.I didn’t want to make him worry by being irresponsible, by even giving him the faintest of suggestions that I was ditching Ben and thereby going right into danger, as he saw it.

When I leave here.Hey, can Rae get a raise too?Since you hired them to watch me just like Ben.