Thornewicke by Charity Bishop

Author:Charity Bishop
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: speculative fiction, christian fantasy, spiritual gifts
Publisher: Charity Bishop

Chapter Sixteen

The fire pit is only embers. Rafe kicks dirt over them.

“What time is it?” Lena asks.

Mother picks up a lantern. “It’s past midnight.”

Wisps flutter out of the jars and away into the trees. Carrying a bundle of tablecloths, Lena follows my mother up the winding path. The last of our guests disappear into the mist. I tilt my head back to stare at the stars and Rafe’s hand slides into mine.

I glance behind us into the wood. “She isn’t back yet.”

“Henoria can look after herself. If she can’t, Alistair can.”

Gloom hovers under the trees as we head for the stables. Lena walks backward. “Did you have a nice time?”

“Yes, it was wonderful!”

She grins and falls into step with us. Rafe’s hand tightens in mine and my face warms. “Wonderful?”

“Most of it, yes,” I grin.

Ducking under a branch, Mother stops us. Rafe tenses. My senses tingle and I stare into the mist. The path disappears. A twig snaps behind us and we jump. Our breath is visible in the air. Weak black swirls float above the ground.

My skin crawls. “What do we do?”

“Stand still… don’t move.”

The swirls pass around us and Lena touches my arm. I look up in the direction she indicates. “Mother…”

She turns as the massive black wolf emerges from the trees. The shadows retreat and take the cold with it.

“My old friend…” Mother strokes his ears.

Lena backs away and I glance at her. “It’s all right.”

Terror is in her face as she follows us home. The wolf leads the way and leaves us at the gate. Inside the front hall, Rafe keeps hold of my hand. His dark eyes search mine. “Meet me in the library later. I never got to give you your birthday present.”

“It’s no longer my birthday.”

He nudges me toward the stairs. “But you’re curious!”

I smirk and go upstairs. Lena helps me undress and takes down my hair. Crushed leaves fall to the floor. “What happened in the woods?” she asks.

Candle flames flicker. I shiver and close my dressing gown. “Shadow-wolves—a dozen of them or more—surrounded us.”

Her face pales in the mirror. “Shadow-wolves?”

“Yes. One of them bit Rafe.”

She fumbles with the hairbrush. “Is he all right?”

“You saw him… he’ll be fine.”

She finishes plaiting my hair. “Did anything else happen?”

“No.”

Her eyes meet mine in the glass. “Do you want the candle?”

“You can take it.”

Light trails around her as she shuts the door in her wake. I wait until I hear Mother go to bed and slip out into the hall. Sebastian follows me into the library. Rafe stands at the far window, staring out into the wood. He stirs as I approach. “It’s so quiet,” he says, “unnaturally so.”

“Does it mean anything?”

He shrugs. “It might. See, you were curious after all.”

Wisps float in the garden. I feel under-dressed. “Or maybe I just like presents.”

He holds out a small box. I slide off the ribbon and let a single polished stone on a gold necklace drop into my hand. “It’s from the stream under your grandmother’s willow.

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