“Anything else?”Liam’s jaw tightened.Why were they here?Were they professional hunters?Thrill-seekers?Amateur cryptid enthusiasts?
“The owner of the Cock and Bull asked Stan to spread the word about the strangers.Stan told my parents they mentioned the Bodmin Beast.”
“What time did they arrive?”
“Around four.”
And no one thought to warn them until now.He suppressed his anger at the villagers’ superstitious fears.People treated him differently because of his scar.He…
The thought slipped away, leaving his mind blank.Liam shook off his frustration and focused on the present.
“They told the pub owner their boss collects animals.”Jamie’s words tumbled out faster now.
“When will they be leaving?”Liam asked.
“They said it depends on their hunt.”
Liam frowned.A wealthy collector after the Bodmin Beast.That tracked.But what if that wasn’t all?What if someone wanted to target the Teagues?Would another shifter stoop that low?
No, that kind of idiocy would risk the entire village.
“Is there anything else we should know?”
Jamie shook his head, fingers fiddling with the hem of his shirt.“I thought you should receive a warning.My father will be angry if he learns I came.”
Liam squeezed his shoulder.“I’m sorry you’ll get in trouble.”
The boy tugged at his sleeve, his gaze flicking toward Hedrek and his brothers-in-law.Ah!He’d heard stories about these men, probably exaggerated.Kitto had noticed.To his credit, Kitto remained silent, but his expression told Liam everything.
“I haven’t a clue what you’ve heard, but we’re not much different from your family.We argue sometimes, and I have to fight to get seconds at dinner.Tamsin shouts at us for tracking mud inside,” Liam said.
Jamie’s nose wrinkled, but his features reflected interest.“What about Sienna?Does she shout?My brother wanted to court her, and my father threw a fit.”His eyes grew wide, and he slapped a hand over his mouth.
Sienna cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
Liam crossed to Sienna’s side and curled his arm around her shoulders.She stiffened on first contact before she smiled—a broad one that stretched her plump pink lips.Now that his head wasn’t aching as severely, he picked up on the tension between them.Maybe they’d argued?Sometimes Sienna eyed him as if he were a two-headed beast capable of snapping at any second.He shoved the thought down for later dissection and focused on Jamie.
“We shout when we’re excited or angry.It’s the nature of shifters,” Liam said.“Do you live far from here?”
“We’re your neighbors.”The boy wrinkled his nose, and Liam read between the lines.His parents wished they weren’t living as close to the town freaks.
“It’s dangerous with hunters around.I’ll walk you home,” Liam said.
“I’ll run,” the boy said.
“And I’ll run beside you,” Liam said in a firm voice.“It’s getting late.We’d better move before your parents miss you.”
Panic marched across Jamie’s face.“I’m gonna get in trouble, aren’t I?”
Liam released Sienna and closed the distance between him and Jamie.“We’ll discuss it while we walk.”
“Liam?”Sienna said.
“Yes?”
“Take care.If you’re not back in half an hour, we’ll come looking for you.”
Silent messages flew between them, and Liam nodded.“Let’s move, Jamie.”
