Chapter 15.-2
“Anything you can do?”
“Not on a tree this old and big, I’m afraid. It’s been dropping dead limbs, so in another year or two,
we’ll start talking about taking it down and using it for construction and firewood. We try not to cut
down the healthy trees if we can.”
Not a witch, but a scientist. Juniper must have been disappointed.
“Nyx, I was hoping I might have a word with you before you leave. In private, if you feel
comfortable.”
I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with that, and I was certain that Juniper was going to object, but
she gave me a thumbs-up sign.
Right. The distraction. Was Juniper going to sniff around Sera’s home while we were talking? That didn’t sit right with me either.
Shoving more food in my mouth, I nodded. Sera guided me over to a shaded bench and sat me down. “I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds, but you should know that we are a sanctuary.
Others have noticed that your relationship with your leader is different from everyone else in your
group. Are you safe with him?”
Her hands took mine, and warmth radiated from them. I felt instantly peaceful and at ease with
her. “I might be safer with him than I’ve ever been in my entire life,” I told her quietly. “We don’t like each other very much, but I truly don’t think he would ever hurt me or put me in danger. I know
monsters. He can be cold, but he’s not a monster.”
“I believe you are right.” Her hands withdrew, and I blinked. What happened? I’d never intended to
say those words. Instantly, I narrowed my eyes.
“Did you just put some kind of spell on me?”
“It’s in my nature to put people at ease. No magic involved,” she assured me. “My sister used to say
that the most hardened criminal would walk right up to me and confess all their sins. There are
many times when I wish that was something I could harness with magic because, alas, she is
wrong. Sometimes, even when I am most desperate for the truth, it’s never there.”
I had no idea what that meant, but I could see the anguish in her eyes. Had she lost someone? Seen something terrible? “Were you born here? In this community?”
“Yes.”
“So you’ve never been outside this mountain?”
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Chapter 15 2
She gave me a secret smile. “Why would you assume that?”
My cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I just thought that if you’d had the opportunity to learn what else was out there, you would take it.”
“And not return.” She chuckled. “I’ll admit that this is a strange life. Werewolves and witches. I left here when I was eighteen and went to university. I studied overseas for eight years before I returned. Life out there is wonderful, but I’m not done here.”
“Is it hard to be human and not tell people about magic? Where I’m from, if anyone even thought you suspected we were werewolves, you’d be killed.”
Sera shook her head. “Humans aren’t ready. Maybe one day they will be, but their fear and their obsessions can drive them to unspeakable acts. I would never dare to tell another about this
mountain. These secrets are safe with me.”
“What did you mean that you’re not done here? What are you doing?”
Instead of answering, she tilted her head. “I believe those are your wolves returning from the hunt. No parting gifts were necessary, but we were pleased with the offering. Come. I have a feeling Rhyson will be unhappy if he doesn’t see you safe and secure immediately.”
A figure moved on my left. Juniper. “I’ll take her.”
She had a strange look on her face, and my heart skipped a beat. Had she heard Sera and I talking? I thought she was supposed to be searching for a witch.
What if I wasn’t the distraction? What if I was the target all along? Was Juniper testing me to see if I’d spill Rhyson’s secrets and claim sanctuary?
Once the seed of doubt was planted, I simply couldn’t get rid of it. Here, I thought maybe I was making some headway with the group, maybe even making some friends.
But maybe I was being naive. They followed Rhyson, and as long as he didn’t trust me, they
wouldn’t trust me either.
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