“Bri, are you well?” Rhyne, clasped hold of my arm, pulling me away from Kenrick.
“Yes. I’ve just got a headache.”
“Well, you did just get smashed to the ground,” Rhyne said, glancing at the knight.
“I’m sure that’s it.” But I didn’t mention that it’d been there prior to the accident, when I had the strange visions of me and Kenrick. Were they connected? Maybe my visions meant that I was supposed to kill the Beast? Could that be why they’d come on so strongly? Were these premonitions a gift to aid me in the endeavor?
“Do you need me to escort you home?” Kenrick asked, his voice thick with worry.
“No, I’ll make sure she’s safe.” Rhyne gave the sleeve of my arm a tug to get me moving.
Shaking Rhyne off, I turned to Kenrick. “I’ll be fine. But thank you for your concern and for saving me.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
Flames from the bonfire licked and snapped in the darkness like a hungry dragon. People packed into the village square, where a wooden platform had been erected for the meeting, with torches secured to each corner.
Gram scowled, her grip on my arm tightening. “What the devil is the meeting for? Lady Weaver insisted everyone needed to attend.”
“The Beast.”
She snorted. “The only beast in these woods is Lady Weaver and her hen-like following.”
Giggles erupted from my mouth. “And you call me a troublemaker.”
We stood toward the back of the crowd, listening to the adults go on about how they always knew Dark Pines would be attacked. Even the kids who normally ran back and forth during village meetings seemed subdued. They stuck close to their parents, clinging to skirts and waists.
Rhyne strolled amongst a small group of blushing girls who seemed to hang on every word he said. He stopped in the middle of the road, his laughter carrying on the wind. Amazing that he had no clue what affect he had on them. Most of them would probably go home tonight and dream of him sweeping them off their feet or proposing. But I supposed that’s what he got for flirting all the time. He stepped into the butcher shop and they all followed him. That, no doubt, would irritate Bowman to no end.
My skin prickled as if someone watched me. I glimpsed across the square and smiled. There, leaning against the side of the church, with his dark hair hanging loose about his shoulders, was Raul. He stared at me, and a slow grin spread across his face. He blew me a kiss.
Face on fire, I glanced away only to find Gram frowning. “What?” I asked innocently.
“I tell you that boy’s trouble and all you do is encourage him.”
“Oh hush. Don’t pretend you don’t like him. I know for a fact you get herbs from him.”
“That’s neither here nor there … ”
In the distance, I watched Kenrick ascend the stairs onto the scaffold. His chainmail glittered in the firelight, making him look like an avenging angel.
Gram tensed next to me. “Shite,” she muttered under her breath. “He’s here so soon.”
My head snapped to the side and I met her gaze. “What?”
Gram’s eyes widened. “Nothing.” She smoothed her dress down at her sides, and then turned to address me. “Have you spoken with Lord Kenrick?”
“Some.”
She opened her mouth to say more, but instead she shifted her attention back to him.
“I would like to thank all of you for coming tonight.” Kenrick clasped his hands together, staring out over the crowd. “In my research, I’ve come across many details of the Beast and tonight, I hope to further my knowledge by speaking to you, the citizens of Dark Pines. If we are to rid ourselves of the creature we must share our knowledge of it.” He scanned the crowd. “I’d ask if you’ve had an encounter with the monster, please, step forward and share your story.”
“I’ve seen the Beast with my own two eyes.” Jacob Fisher pushed to the front of the mob and climbed the stairs to stand beside Kenrick.
I heaved a sigh of irritation. Sure he did, and likely at the bottom of a pint. How did Kenrick expect to get the truth when he listened to the drunkards and gossips? They wouldn’t know the Beast if it came up and ripped off their arse cheeks.
“What occurred?”
Jacob shook his head. “Something big crashed through the brush toward the docks—and I heard the bleat of a nearby sheep. When I went to investigate, the animal had been torn apart. It left behind a trail of large tracks that disappeared into the nearby river.”
“Your account sounds quite frightening,” Kenrick said, patting Jacob on the arm as he finished his tale. “Anyone else?”
A few others raised their hands, one of whom was Bertrand Blacksmith who spent half his days chasing the ladies. The only angry creature he likely met up with was his wife with a rolling pin.
Not wanting to listen to him drone on, I stepped forward. “What makes you believe these aren’t animal attacks? And how can we be so sure what you’ve seen is supernatural?”
Kenrick’s eyes widened at the sound of my voice. His intense gaze met mine and he descended the scaffold steps, moving closer until we were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder.
“Because for centuries there have been too many sightings, too many similarities in the pattern of the attacks. The Beast always starts off by murdering one to two people within the first couple of years. Then by All Hallows of the fourth and fifth year, the killings increase.”
I frowned. He hadn’t mentioned this before. Maybe it was a clue or maybe not.
“I’d have to agree with Brielle Healer.” Raul sauntered into the crowd. He flipped a coin in the air, its golden sheen glinting in the firelight as he caught it once more. “Packs of animals are known to attack humans in similar fashion. Wild dogs and wolves, both of which run about the woodland surrounding Dark Pines, have been known to slaughter cattle and deer.” His eyes glowed in an unnatural way. “It would be foolish to let ourselves become victims of superstition.”
Raul gave me a lazy smile then returned his focus to Kenrick. I went still, feeling the invisible challenge in the air. Did Raul know something? Or was the Wanderer merely playing the part of actor for the crowd?
Rhyne slipped from the crowd and joined me and Gram. Just then a piercing scream cut through the square. Kenrick whipped around, unsheathed his sword, and put himself between me and the direction of the shriek. People panicked and tried to push one another out of the way. They trampled closer to the buildings, their shouts and curses flowing from their mouths like water.
Sarah ran across the street, yelling, while her hands flailed this way and that. Kenrick sheathed his weapon and hurried toward her. She collapsed in his arms with a sob.
“The Beast. I-it attacked me.” She held up her arm to reveal her torn dress sleeve and a single scratch that ran the length of her forearm.
Gasps went up around us, and the townsfolk moved in to get a closer look. Already, men murmured about hunting parties, while others spoke of getting home.
My teeth ground together and I stared at the wound. It was nothing like the descriptions I’d read, nor was it like Margaret’s mutilated body.
“She’s lying,” I whispered.
Gram clutched my arm. “Yes, she is. And she’s going to cause a witch hunt.”
Rhyne looked at me, his glance darting back and forth over the townspeople, to his cousin. “How can you be sure she’s faking it? She seems scared.”
“If the accounts I’ve read about the Beast are real, then it never lets its victims live.” I glanced at him, was he going to defend her?
Gram tugged me away from the meeting place. “Come, let’s get home, child, before these fools take to the woods.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said to Rhyne as Gram led me away.
Across the mob, I watched Raul. A scowl painted his face and he fingered the dagger at his side. As if sensing me watching him, he gave me a quick nod. What did he know?
/>
Tonight had been a disaster and Sarah Weaver was to blame. She caused outright pandemonium, all to gain attention. Only time would tell what kind of trouble might ensue. Accidental killings in the woods? Widespread fear?
“I’ve been thinking,” Gram said as she climbed down from her chair in the cottage, eyeing the newest bundle of herbs she’d hung from the rafters. “Perhaps it’s time we left Dark Pines.”
Startled, I turned to her. “What?”
“It’s not safe here anymore. There are attacks in the woods, not to mention half the town sputters rumors about me being a witch. These are unsafe times for us.”
“We can’t up and leave. This is our home. We have just as much right to be here as anyone else,” I said. “Besides, I thought you wanted me to finish my training here—you said this is the best place to find the herbs we need.”
“There will be other villages that have a need of our skills. Besides, you don’t know yet what you want to do for the rest of your life, and whether or not you’ll even want to be a healer like me. Wouldn’t you like to travel? To see other places? Lord knows you deserve a break from Sarah and all the troubles she causes.”
My fingers clutched tight to the wooden bowl I was washing. “I don’t want to leave. Please don’t ask me to.”
“I’m not saying this to frighten you,” she said. “But you’ll be an adult soon. You may not have a chance like this to explore new places, meet new people, do new things. Eventually, you’ll find yourself out of options. And the choices you have left are already made for you.”
I let go of the bowl and turned to her. “Exactly. I’m almost seventeen. I’m old enough now that I could stay on here by myself. My friends are here—Rhyne, Father Machai, Gertie, Raul—and we’re already familiar with everyone.”
She started to say something, but closed her mouth and shook her head.
“Gram, if you need to say something—”
“Is this really about wanting to stay in town?” She let that question hang there for a second, but she didn’t wait for my response. “Or is this about Raul or that knight?”
I turned away from her, and only then, too late, realized what my hesitation told her. I was caught. There was no point denying it now.
“I like seeing Raul,” I said. “Is that so wrong? And this knight … I’m merely trying to help him Gram.”
“Raul’s dangerous enough. Kenrick, he’s a knight. But more than that. You know how dangerous things are getting. You know why he’s here. To kill the beast. That’s it. He won’t let anything—or anyone—get in his way.”
“But I wouldn’t get in his way. With my visions, maybe I could even help him.”
“No,” she said, more forcefully than I think she intended because she took a deep breath before continuing. “He’s a knight of the Crowhurst Order. He’s hunted witches—and if he thinks our healing practices are suspect he will have no qualms about imprisoning us.”
My teeth ground together. “I don’t think he’d do that. You haven’t even talked to him yet. He’s kind. And smart.” Why was I defending him? I barely knew him—but I didn’t want to believe that he’d do something to harm us. At least she wasn’t speaking ill of Raul again.
“He’s been trained for one purpose,” Gram said. “He’s here to find evil and destroy it. And you know what people think is evil?”
I swallowed and closed my eyes. Of course, I knew the answer to her question. We’d dealt with this issue for years already. It was why we were so secretive in the first place. “People think anything they don’t understand is evil.”
She nodded her head in agreement. “If they knew what we could do … If Kenrick knew what you can do, especially that you don’t have any control over it … ”
She was right. I knew it. But she’d also taught me other things. She’d taught me not to be afraid of the unknown. She’d taught me that even if we lived in secret, we didn’t have to live in fear. We were here to help people. Sometimes in ways they didn’t realize they needed.
“Gram, you’ve always told me we should try and help where we could. How is our running going to do that?”
She sighed and smiled. She’d taught me too well.
“Stir the stew,” she said. “I’ll finish this lavender soap for Donald Carver’s new wife.” She gestured to the cast iron cauldron hanging in the hearth, then grabbed a knife to pry the soap from its mold.
I wiped my damp hands on my dress and walked across the room. The aroma of venison made my stomach growl. I picked up a wooden spoon and stirred the soup. The steam rolled off the pot, warming my skin. Someday, I imagined doing this in my own home and I smiled as I pictured Raul coming in from a day of selling trinkets, smelling of the woodland. How he’d hug me and tell me how good dinner tasted.
With a gasp, I dropped the spoon. I’d gone my whole life assuming I’d never feel anything like this for anyone. I wasn’t about to just ignore these feelings. What Gram didn’t know, Gram couldn’t stop.
When we got to Dark Pines later that day, the town was aflutter with gossip; hatred and excitement buzzed in the air so thick I almost tasted it. People whispered how lucky Sarah was to survive the attack. Poor Sarah this and poor Sarah that.
Gram gripped my arm, tugging me out of the way of a patrol marching by. My gaze flickered over the square to the men on horseback, flooding the streets as others grouped together. Some held bows, while a few clutched pitchforks, picks, and axes. They were preparing to hunt. My eyes fell upon a large iron cage, with thick metal bars and shackles already attached at the base, set up on a cart. A prison for their prey.
Gram glared. “Sooner or later they’ll see through her lies. For now, let’s get on with our business and ignore it best we can.”
Easy for her to say, she didn’t loathe Sarah the way I did. With an angry sigh, I plowed through the gathering of townspeople.
“Hey, Bri.” Rhyne came out of the butcher shop. “We still on for that picnic today?”
I glanced at Gram, who gave me a nod.
“If you think we can manage some privacy.” I gestured to the gathering of villagers.
“Trust me, I know just the place. I’ll see you later. At our spot near the creek.” He grinned, then disappeared back inside.
“I’ve got some errands to run,” Gram said. “Don’t be home too late.” I watched her hurry off in a flurry of skirts.
As I made a path through the crowd, a shoulder bumped into mine, and I glanced up to see Kenrick. I raised my hand, motioning for him to hold off until Gram was out of sight. I didn’t want to face her wrath today. When her form was no longer within view, I fell in beside him.
“Milord.” My breath caught in my throat. “Sorry about that, my gram is in a mood today.”
“Have I already gained an enemy in Dark Pines then?”
“No—she’s just really protective.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Perhaps if I stopped by your home and talked with her, she’d feel differently.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” I laughed.
A slow smile crept across his lips, his hand clutching my arm. He cleared his throat. “My apologies for bumping into you. Again. It seems as though I’m always running into you.”
“Yes. I’m beginning to think you’re doing it on purpose.” Oh no. I sound like Sarah. Heat crept up my neck, spreading to my face.
“And what would you say if I was?” He leaned closer, the scent of pine and cloves clung to him.
His scent. I closed my eyes, trying to place it. Where had I smelled it before?
I sat atop a steed, my arms wrapped around Kenrick’s waist. My face rested against his shoulder, the aroma of pine and cloves tickling my nose. We dashed in between trees, until we came to a pasture filled with wildflowers.
“Shall we stop so I can pick you some flowers?” Kenrick turned to face me.
I giggled. “If you must.”
He grinned. “I mus
t.”
The image faded as fast as it had come, leaving me dizzy and confused.
“Milady? Are you well?”
I swallowed hard, his hand still upon my arm. “Perhaps we could find a better way to meet.”
“Will you come to the library with me again, to do research? And maybe afterward, you can take dinner with me or perhaps we could have a picnic soon.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? People like to talk, milord.” Not to mention Gram had forbidden me from seeing him.
“I want to see you again. I … can’t explain it, but it’s like you’ve bewitched me.” He gave me a smile that melted my heart. “The more time we spend together, the more time I want with you. I apologize if this sounds very forward of me.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I said. My skin felt on fire and my heart was thundering.
“I assure you,” Kenrick said, “my intentions are not to put you in an awkward position. Perhaps I could purchase some food and bring it to your house to have dinner with you and your grandmother. Then it would be proper and we would not be left unattended.”
“That would be nice.” Shite. Of course, that would never work. If Gram wouldn’t let me see Kenrick in public, she’d certainly never let me have dinner with him at our house. But maybe it was for the best.
“Now that we have settled that, I need to check in on Sarah Weaver. She had quite the scare last night.”
Sarah. He had every right—every duty—to go check on her. But something didn’t fit with her claim. “If this beast attack was real, don’t you think it would’ve killed her?”
“I’m afraid I’m not following you.”
“Sarah has a single scratch on her arm. All the other victims were torn to shreds.”
“You think she’s lying.”
“I don’t know if she’s lying,” I said. “But it doesn’t make sense that she saw the beast and lived to tell us about it.”
He nodded. “It is suspicious that she managed to escape. But we can’t assume she would lie about something like this. What motivation would she have for falsehood?”
Legend of Me Page 6
