“It’s Peter Farmer, Gram. We have to save him.”
“Shh … just settle down. We can warn him in the morning.”
“No.” I leapt from bed, my shift tangling about my legs. “It’ll be too late by then.”
With a sigh, Gram dropped the cloth into the basin of water and wiped her hands on her apron. “Fine. But you must follow my lead and not mention these visions.” She walked across the room, where she retrieved a cloak. “Get dressed while I ready the horse.”
My pulse nearly deafened me as I tugged on a brown dress, fastened my cloak around my shoulders, and then slid my feet into a pair of knee-high leather boots.
What if we are too late?
Gram came back inside and grabbed her medicine bag. “If anyone asks, we are answering an emergency at the Farmer house. Under no circumstances do you indicate otherwise. You understand?”
“Yes.”
We hurried outside. I climbed atop the horse first then reached down to help Gram up. Once situated, I dug my heels into the horse’s fleshy sides and we dashed through the night. The woodland lay swathed in bleakness. Tendrils of fog trailed along the moonlit path, like ghostly serpents. Every clump of foliage took on the appearance of monsters, while the wind wailed through the trees as if crying out to me, begging me to turn back. I wanted to plug my ears, to ignore my surroundings, but I needed to stay focused on the darkened forest before me.
After long minutes in the woods, we rode out into a field of high grass on the outskirts of Peter Farmer’s property. His thatched house sat upon a hill overlooking the valley.
I tugged on the horse’s reins, bringing us to a stop, then I hopped down and raced across the yard.
“Slow down, Bri. You don’t want to give the man a scare, rushing in like this.”
I pounded on his door. “Peter. Open up. It’s Brielle Healer.” When he didn’t answer, I struck the door harder until my hand pained me.
“I’ll check around the back.” Gram’s face contorted in worry as she hurried to the side of the house.
Taking a deep breath, I twisted the doorknob and the wooden barrier swung open. In the darkness, I noticed the light shimmer of coals in his fireplace.
“Peter?” I walked carefully through the room. But he wasn’t there. The bed lay empty, the blankets undisturbed, indicating he never came home to sleep.
“Brielle, what are you doing in there?” Gram scowled, jerking me outside. “You can’t just barge into a person’s dwelling like that.”
My throat tightened. “He’s not here.”
She shut the front door then led me back to the horse. “We’ll ride into the village. Perhaps Peter is at the tavern. You know the men-folk like themselves a good drink and naughty ladies.”
We climbed back onto our steed and raced toward Dark Pines.
Please let us be in time.
There was no point in my visions if I couldn’t stop the attacks from happening.
The village streets were nearly empty when we arrived, save for the drunks and ladies of the night wandering around the Iron Wheel Tavern.
“You stay put,” Gram said as she slid from the saddle. “This isn’t a place you need to be seen at this hour.”
“But Gram … ”
“No. You’ll not be stepping foot amongst those scoundrels. Why, Lady Weaver would have a day with it.” She straightened her skirts. “If anyone asks, you’re escorting me to deliver medicines.”
She patted my leg and hurried toward the entrance. Streams of music and raucous laughter poured out the door as she went inside, the scent of pipe smoke drifted out, heavy in the air.
The sound of hoof beats roused my attention. I turned in the saddle to see Kenrick riding my way, wearing full chainmail, his sword belted at his side.
“Lady Brielle, what brings you to Dark Pines at this hour? Is everything all right?”
My lip quivered. Keep it together. “Gram received an emergency call. I couldn’t bear to let her go alone, not with the attacks.”
He frowned. “You worry me, being in that cottage far from town.”
“I assure you, we’re quite safe.” But were we? The creature’s footprints had been found near our property.
Our gazes locked. His concern touched me and I wanted nothing more than to tell him the truth. Perhaps my visions would aid in his discovering the Beast’s whereabouts. I opened my mouth, then shut it again when I noticed Gram hurrying across the street.
When she saw me, she shook her head no. My heart fell. Peter wasn’t here. Where had he disappeared to?
“Lord Kenrick.” Gram curtsied then came to stand next to our horse. “We best be heading home now.”
“Loreen Healer.” He nodded and nudged his horse so it came up alongside ours. “You may want to consider staying with someone in the village until the Beast’s found. It’d be safer.”
Gram pulled herself onto the saddle in front of me. “I’ll think about it. Perhaps I can speak to the Butchers after festival.”
Kenrick offered a quick smile. “I think that would be a splendid idea. If we can get everyone safe behind the village gates, protection will be easier, as will hunting for the creature.”
He led us through the blackness of the night, his horse keeping pace with ours. When we came to a stop outside the cottage, he hurried from his mount to help us down.
First, he caught Gram and set her on the ground then turned to me. His hands rested on my waist as he lifted me from the horse. My feet touched the grass, but neither of us moved back.
I swallowed hard. “Thank you, for seeing us home.”
He released my waist and brought my hand to his lips. “My pleasure.”
“Come along, Brielle. You get inside where it’s safe while I unsaddle the horse.” Gram stood on the stoop, hands on her hips. “Lord Kenrick, I think it’s about time you move along, don’t you?”
Kenrick bowed, his eyes resting on Gram. “Of course, I don’t want Brielle to catch cold.”
“Good night.” Kenrick nodded at me then pulled himself back onto his mount.
I stood there for a long moment, watching him ride away, wariness consuming my mind.
A knock echoed through the cottage the next day. I set down my embroidery and stood to answer the door, trying to ignore my headache. Ever since last night my head had pounded like someone had taken an axe to it, and not even Gram’s elixirs had helped. I squinted as I opened the door.
“Morning. Is your grandmother here?” Catherine Basketweaver asked. She rubbed her arms against the cold wind sneaking in behind her. Her robust frame filled the entry, her brown hair knotted atop her head like a giant hunk of sausage.
I moved aside to let her pass.
Gram dried her hands on her apron, then joined us. “What can I do for you, Catherine?”
“My son, John, has come down with fever. He’s been bedridden for two days.” She wrung her hands together. “I wondered if you might have time to check in on him.”
Gram nodded. “I’ll stop by once I finish the wash.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what Dark Pines would do without you.”
I knew. They’d perish. But of course, no one remembered that until one of their own was ill. Any other time they spoke badly of Gram behind her back.
Catherine turned to go then stopped. “Not to be a gossip, but did you hear about the newest killings?”
My chest tightened, and I had half a mind to plug my ears against the news.
Please don’t let it be Peter.
“No, we haven’t.” Gram rested her fingers on my shoulder as if to lend me support.
“Marcus found Samuel Herder and Peter Farmer in the fields. Tore to pieces they were, just like the rest they’ve found.”
I blinked back tears. I was supposed to save Peter. This wasn’t fair. To give me the gift of a vision, yet not give me a chance to use it for good.
Gram patted my shoulder then said, �
��Well, I appreciate you coming by with the news. I’ll be over soon to check on John.” She ushered Catherine out the door.
When she left, I squeezed my eyes shut. “I don’t understand why my premonitions aren’t giving me enough time to do anything about the attacks.”
“This isn’t your fault. We went to his home last night.” Her hand patted my back. “He must’ve stayed in the fields late.”
“I just feel so helpless,” I said, my lids flying open. “Like I should be able to do something.”
Gram moved away from me and slipped off her apron. She took one of her bags from the shelf and put a few jars and such inside. “We’ll get this figured out. In the meantime, I need to head over to Catherine’s and see that boy of hers. Did you want to come with me?”
What I needed to do was investigate the ruins I’d overheard Father Machai and Reynaldo speak of. Perhaps there’d be more clues or something there.
“No, I think I might go into town and see Rhyne for a bit.” Which wasn’t a complete lie. Aware of the dangers of the woods, I did intend to see if Rhyne wanted to go with me.
When she left, I found my pack and shoved in a few things. Food, medicine, and bandages, just in case. After my last mishap on the bridge, I didn’t dare leave home unprepared.
Once everything was in order, I left the cottage, headed into Dark Pines, and found the streets were clogged. Word of Peter’s untimely death was the talk of the town. Numerous guards were posted at the newly erected watchtower near the western wall, while patrols lined up near the gate, getting ready to scour the woods. Again.
When I got to the Butcher’s I saw Bowman behind the counter. “Brielle, how are you today?”
“Good, thanks. I wondered if Rhyne was around?”
“I’m afraid not. He’s out hunting, not sure when he’ll be back in.”
“Thank you.”
“Listen, lass, I’m sorry for how I acted yesterday. It’s just that Wanderer is bad news. You know the rumors that fly about.”
I fisted my hands, but pasted a smile on my face. “Thank you for watching out for me.”
As another customer came in, I gave a quick wave and pushed my way back onto the street. Sometimes the townsfolk could be so ignorant. With a sigh, I stood glancing around the storefronts. Since Rhyne wasn’t available, I had no idea what to do. I couldn’t go by myself—Gram would wring my neck. A familiar figure sauntered toward me, and I smiled. Raul wore a crimson tunic tucked into black breeches, his hair tied at the nape of his neck.
“Brielle, my little flower, I was just thinking about you.”
A blush crept up my neck and I fanned my face. Already, I heard the whispers as several people stopped to stare at us. But I ignored them and moved toward Raul.
“Then it’s a good thing I came into town.”
He chuckled and the warm, rich sound made chills dance across my spine. “So it is. Tell me, what plans do you have for the day?”
“Actually, I wondered if you might accompany me into the western woods. There’s something I need to check on and Gram would be beside herself if I went alone.”
He gave a slight bow. “I’d be honored. Would you like me to fetch my horse?”
“No, we won’t go too far. I just need to find something.”
“May I ask what it is we’re looking for?” he inquired as we walked toward the main gate.
His arm brushed against mine. Fiery lances pierced my skin, making me all too aware of him. I shot him a quick glance to find him watching me.
I swallowed hard in an attempt to bite back the attraction. “There are supposedly ruins of the old church nearby. I wanted to explore them.”
He offered me his arm, and with trembling hands, I grasped hold of him. Heat splayed across me as if a blanket had been draped over my body. Everything tingled from my toes to my hair, every pore aware of his presence.
“I think I know the place you’re talking about,” he said, his voice huskier. “Maybe on our way back, we can pick strawberries. There’s a patch of wild ones growing nearby.”
“That sounds fun. I haven’t had a chance to go gather any yet and it’s almost the end of the season.”
We hiked along the dusty track into the woods. As soon as we stepped beneath the trees, dreariness seemed to wash over us. The temperature dropped significantly and an eerie silence overtook the woodland. There were no birds chirping or squirrels jumping from limbs. No bugs or flies buzzed about. I listened closer for the familiar sounds of the people in town, but heard nothing.
I scanned the surroundings and my stomach knotted. This felt too much like that night on the bridge. The urge to turn around made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
Stay calm. Raul is with you. You need answers.
“Are you all right?” Raul glanced at me.
“Yes, sorry, I’m jumpy today.”
He drew me closer to him and wrapped a protective arm about my shoulders as we continued to press deeper into the foliage. Ferns and brambles thickened at our feet as if to bar our way.
At last, we came to the site of the church ruins. Moss and vines clung to toppled stones, while eerie silhouettes crept about the darkened crevices. Stone stairs led to a lower level, which looked as if it had partially caved in. Remnants of two walls stood about eight feet tall with roots and trees growing out of them.
The heavy scent of dirt surrounded us, as if something had recently dug up the ground. Wisps of fog danced between rubble, like tiny spirits out to play.
My skin broke out in gooseflesh. I glanced in the distance and went still. There, standing on the hill, was the ghostly figure of a woman. The same one I’d seen before.
“Raul,” I whispered.
“Yes?”
“D-do you see her?” I gestured to the hill. “The person up there?” I didn’t call the ghost by name for fear that it would make it that much more real. But I knew deep down, just like I’d told Gram, that it was Lucia.
He froze next to me. “Yes, I do. Brielle, I want you to stay here. You understand?” With that, he left my side and moved further into the trees, then disappeared within the overgrowth.
My gaze darted back up the hill, where the figure walked into the rolling waves of fog. A gust of wind billowed through, taking with it the smoky residue, and when the hill cleared the woman was gone.
My legs wobbled beneath me and I reached for a tree to steady myself. What did she want with me?
Once I got my bearings back, I trudged closer to the ruins, examining the stones. There, along the back portion of one of the walls, were claw marks. My fingers trembled as I traced them. As I examined the crimson stains almost hidden beneath vines, I realized it was blood.
I backed away from it, my palm covering my mouth. The Beast had been to Dark Pines before. A hand clamped down on my shoulder and I jumped.
“Sorry,” Raul said as I spun to face him. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Did you find her?”
“No, I lost her in the mist. She disappeared before I could get a close look at her. But something feels off with this place. There’s a darkness that resonates here. Maybe we should move along now.”
I nodded because I felt it, too. But before I left, something at the bottom of the stairs caught my eye. A pile of bones stripped of flesh. Kenrick needed to know about this place. The sooner the better. Perhaps he could piece together more clues and put a stop to the killings.
As we hurried toward the road, I caught Raul’s arm. “Gram would be mad if she knew we were here today. But I have to find out what’s stalking the woods. I beg you not to mention this trip to her.”
His gaze softened as he stared down at me. “Your secret is safe with me. Besides, if she knew I was alone with you, she’d have my head.”
With a deep breath, I said, “I’ve been having premonitions of the Beast’s attacks. I dream about death and bones and blood. All I see are the victims’ faces, but
I never get there in time to stop them. Gram said I need to forget about them and not mention them. But I can’t let people meet their end like that. Your grandmother told me to trust myself, and I do. I just don’t know how to stop the Beast.”
“My little Brielle. Shh … don’t cry.” He wrapped his arms around me and I sank against his chest. “Listen, I’ll help you try to figure out your visions. Perhaps we can remember something my grandmother said that might help us.” He pulled back, brushing my hair from my face. He leaned closer, his breath warm upon my cheek. I tilted my head the slightest bit and our eyes met. Our lips were mere inches apart and if either of us shifted, I knew they’d touch. A repeat of our last kiss.
My blood pounded in my ears as we stood, toe to toe. “Thank you,” I said.
His thumb swiped across my bottom lip and he took a step back. “I should see you home before night sets in. I still have to find Lord Kenrick and see if I can accompany him and his men on their hunt tonight.”
With the moment past, I blinked and started to walk again. “I didn’t realize you and Kenrick were friends.”
“We’re not, but I don’t want the Beast hurting anyone I care about.” He gave me a knowing look.
Or more likely, he wanted to keep an eye on Kenrick.
The next day, I helped Gram take laundry off the line. We’d strung rope between two large oak trees, and our garments waved back and forth like dead people on nooses. Not quite the image I wanted haunting me after everything I’d seen as of late.
Gram hummed an off-key tune beneath her breath as she put the last of our clothes in a large woven basket. I recognized the lullaby from my childhood. She used to sing me to sleep with it when I had a nightmare. I studied her wrinkled face. Where would I be if she hadn’t taken me in after Mother and Father’s ship was lost at sea?
Behind her, I noticed Father Machai coming up the path. Gram glanced in his direction. “Brielle, I need you to go to market and fetch me two bunches of laurel from the Wanderers.”
“I thought you didn’t want me to see them?” I quirked an eyebrow.
Legend of Me Page 12
