Blood Moon Read Online Free Page B

earshot.
    ‘What?’ A face appeared from the left, grey-brown hair that might have seen a brush last week or the week before, a grease smudge on the cheek. ‘Danny! I’m sorry, there’s a connection loose. I was just under the table fiddling with it. Hippolyta was suppose to fix it but you know what she’s like…’
    ‘Ophelia! It’s good to see you. How is…?’ I wanted to ask, how is Gloucester? Has he recovered from the horror of Perdita’s death? But even saying it would bring some of the horror back. So I said instead, ‘How are things at Black Stump?’
    ‘Oh fine. Dry of course, we had hardly any apples this year, but the corn’s okay. Spot had kittens, but Yorik says it has to be a virgin birth because there’s no other cat around, and Romeo and Juliet had a tiff two days ago, but you know how they are—they’ll be all over each other again next week which will be totally embarrassing for everyone till they cool down again, and we had a Wanderer staying with us for a few days, a nice kid. How are things there?’
    ‘Good. I’ve been designing a beach for the kids and Neil’s away at a conference in the City.’
    Ophelia’s face fell. ‘Oh. I just wondered…’
    ‘Ophelia, what is it?’
    ‘I thought the two of you could…well, maybe just you then…’
    ‘You thought the two of us could what?’
    ‘Danny, there’s been some trouble around here. People killed.’
    ‘Yes,’ I said slowly. ‘Someone told me. I forgot that they’d be near Black Stump too. Did you know them? Not Brother Perry, the other one.’
    ‘Not all that well. Met him at the gatherings, Christmas, Easter Harvest, times like that. The Patriarch was a blerk, but okay if you handled him right. It’s just…’
    ‘You’re nervous with another murderer about?.’
    ‘Yes,’ said Ophelia frankly. ‘Especially for the kids. You don’t like to say ‘don’t go out alone after dark’ and all that. But it’s not just that.’
    ‘What then?’
    ‘People are accusing some neighbours of ours. Saying they did the murders, or one of them did anyway. You know what gossip’s like.’
    ‘You don’t mean the werewolves?’ I demanded.
    ‘They’re not werewolves! You can hardly see the wolf in them, most of the time. Well, apart from Uncle Dusty of course, and Len’s a bit…’
    ‘You’re sure they’re innocent?’
    ‘Of course! Wolves are, well, they’re gentle creatures. They’re not like humans. Wolves only kill for food, or in self-defence. You should see Uncle Dusty with the kids. He’s just wonderful with them. We trade with the Tree all the time—our corn for their venison. They’re good friends. Good neighbours. Danny, I hate to see them suspected like this. We’re afraid…well, what people might do…’
    Outlanders take care of their own. The Outlands had their own systems of justice. I was beginning to realise that in some cases it might not be justice at all.
    ‘You mean a…a lynching party?’
    ‘Yes. No. Maybe not that. Maybe just a shot in the dark when they’re hunting.’
    ‘They hunt? I thought they weren’t wolves?’
    ‘They’re part wolf! A small part! Some of them hunt for food sometimes—and if they enjoy the chase too, what’s the harm in that? But they don’t kill humans, Danny. I’m sure of it.’
    ‘I see.’ I was silent a moment. ‘Why call me?’
    ‘Because…because we can’t think who else could help. Because they’re our friends. Because you’re our friend too.’
    ‘Oh,’ I said. I sat silently a moment while the screen fuzzed and flickered then steadied again. Either the connection was still loose or their power system was about to crash again.
    ‘Ophelia…don’t be so sure I can help. I’m not a detective. I’ve never been trained in anything like this.’
    ‘But you can try,’ said Ophelia. ‘Besides, people will listen to you. You’re an outsider. Everyone just says that we’re—well biased. That we don’t want to accept it. Please,