Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton

their salary. Maybe Nathaniel wasn’t good with money. Big surprise there.
    The van was large, black, and looked sinister. The sort of thing serial killers drive in made-for-TV movies. Serial killers did drive vans in real life, but they tended to be pale colors with rust spots.
    Jamil drove. Cherry and I rode up front with him. The luggage and everyone else went in the back. I expected Cherry to ask me to sit in the middle because I was at least five inches shorter than she was, but she didn’t. She just crawled into the van, in the middle, with those long legs tucked up in front of the dashboard.
    The road was well paved, almost no potholes, and if you held your breath, two cars could pass each other without scraping paint. Trees hugged the road on either side. But on one side, you caught glimpses of an amazing drop-off, and on the other side, there was just rocky dirt. I preferred the dirt. The trees were thick enough that the illusion of safety was there, but thetrees fell away like a great, green curtain, and you could suddenly see for miles. The illusion was gone, and you realized just how high up we were. Okay, it wasn’t like Rocky Mountain high, but it would do the job if the van went over the edge. Falling from high places is one of my least favorite things to do. I don’t clutch the upholstery like in the airplane, but I’m a flatlander at heart and would be glad to be in the lower valley.
    â€œDo you want me to drop you at the police station or take you to the cabins first?” Jamil asked.
    â€œPolice. Did you say cabins?”
    He nodded. “Cabins.”
    â€œRustic living?” I asked.
    â€œNo, thank God,” he said. “Indoor plumbing, beds, electricity, the works, if you aren’t too particular about the decor.”
    â€œNot a fashion plate?”
    â€œNot hardly,” he said.
    Cherry sat very still between us, hands folded in her lap. I realized she wasn’t wearing her seat belt. My mother would be alive today if she’d been wearing hers, so I’m picky about it. “You’re not wearing your seat belt,” I said.
    Cherry looked at me. “I’m squashed enough without the seat belt,” she said.
    â€œI know you could survive a trip through the windshield,” I said, “but having you heal that much damage would sort of blow your cover.”
    â€œAm I supposed to be playing human?” she asked.
    It was a good question. “For the townsfolk, yeah.”
    She fastened her seat belt without any more arguing. The wereleopards had taken me to heart as their Nimir-ra. They were so glad to have someone act as protector, even if it was just a human, that they didn’t bitch much. “You should have told me we were trying to blend in. I’d have dressed differently.”
    â€œYou’re right; I should have said something.” Truthfully, it hadn’t occurred to me until just that moment.
    The road spilled down into what passed for flatland here. The trees were so thick that it was almost claustrophobic. There was still a gentle swell to the land, letting you know you were driving over the toes of mountains.
    â€œDo you want us to wait for you outside the station?” Jamil asked.
    â€œNo, you guys sort of stand out.”
    â€œHow are you going to get to the cabins?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “I don’t know. Taxi?”
    He looked at me, the look was eloquent. “In Myerton, I don’t think so.”
    â€œDamn,” I said. “Drive us to the cabins then. I’ll take the van back into town.”
    â€œWith Jason?” Jamil said.
    I nodded. “With Jason.” I looked at him. “Why is everyone so solicitous of me? I mean, I know there may be problems, but you guys are being awful cautious.” I sat up straighter in the seat and stared at the side of Jamil’s face. He was watching the road like his life depended on it.
    â€œWhat aren’t you