"We have to stop meeting like this," Etta joked. "People are starting to talk."
Demarco smiled. Since the night of the Starlights, she and Etta had taken to meeting up at Grimtooth's every couple of days. While she was settling in well with the Wildfangs, it was nice to have someone to talk to who wasn't in the middle of the whole werewolf thing. She got the feeling Etta was also happy to have someone talk to. If the other woman was still a little guarded, especially about her past, she was getting more relaxed.
"Let 'em talk," Demarco replied cheerfully.
"They aren't really," Etta said quickly. "Well... Lily says she's glad I'm getting out more. She stops just short of saying she's glad I'm making a friend, but I know that's what she means."
"Well, I'm glad too," Demarco smiled. "Don't start," she added as the troubled cloud passed over Etta's face. "Whatever happened in your past, we can be friends, you and me."
"Right," Etta said, but the shadow lingered in her eyes. 
"So, you made it through another full moon," Etta continued, changing the subject.
"Yeah," Demarco nodded. "I think I'm getting a handle on it... mostly. You know, it's kind of like a party thing... getting together with friends..."
"Getting naked, turning into animals," Etta put in.
"Well, parties can be like that sometimes," Demarco grinned.
"OK, what kind of parties do you go to?" Etta laughed.
"So," Demarco said when she'd finished laughing, "I've been wanting to ask - what do you do? During the full moon, I mean..."
"Well, I used to lock myself in my room," Etta said. "But these days, usually I babysit."
"Babysit?!" Demarco said, startled. She'd have been less surprised if Etta had admitted to running naked under the moon with the werewolves.
"What?" Etta looked sidelong at her, as if she knew what Demarco had been thinking. "The Moonrunners... I don't know if you've really met them. They're part of the Collective... have this kid, Freddie. I look after him sometimes, especially on full moon nights."
"I just have a hard time picturing you with kids, I guess," Demarco admitted. "You don't really have a 'kids' vibe."
"Surprised me too, actually," Etta replied. "I mean, it's not like I want kids of my own or anything, but Freddie's fun to hang with. We play and read stories and stuff..."
"So, it turns out you've got two friends," Demarco smiled.
"Yeah, I guess so," Etta looked a little surprised.
A companionable silence fell between the two women, each lost for a moment in their own thoughts and comfortable sitting together letting the other have a moment of quiet.
"So, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about," Demarco said at last, breaking the silence.
"Sure," Etta said. "What's wrong?"
"No, it's not..." Demarco started. "Ok, maybe it is..."
"It's Kiril," Demarco continued.
"Oh God, what did he do?" Etta sighed.
"You know how he is," Demarco said. "He's funny and even a little charming sometimes but..."
"He's always a little too close," Etta finished for her. "His little 'jokes' and innuendos. Something behind his eyes..."
"Yeah," Demarco said. "I know the whole 'werewolves mate for life' thing but..."
"Bullshit," Etta said. "The guy's been trying to get into my pants for ages. I'm not surprised he's trying to get into yours."
"Yes, thank you!" Demarco sighed. "Then the other morning..."
"... after this last full moon," she continued. "I was on my way back to the trailer, after getting dressed and everything and there he was... still full wolf, blocking my way. He looked... like he was hunting. For a minute, we just looked at each other and I... I wondered if he was going to... then Rory howled, calling us in, and he loped off. I don't know what would have happened if she hadn't howled."
"Yes, you do," Etta said. "Be careful with him, Lux. He's dangerous."
"Well, so am I," Demarco said firmly. "I just would have hated to shift so fast I ripped up this shirt. I like this shirt."
"Damn straight," Etta replied.
"I gotta get back," Demarco said after a moment. "Rory's got me watching her latest batch of home-brew. Who knew werewolves brewed beer?"
"Werewolves have to pay bills just like everyone else," Etta said.
"Well, later," Demarco said, not quiet getting up yet.
"Demarco," Etta said quickly. "Thanks... it's good, having two friends."
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