“If you freaks didn’t live in our village, none of this would’ve happened.The mayor wouldn’t have called in the hunters and the animal collector.”
“Animal collector?”Kitto seized on the words.
“So this isn’t about the Bodmin Beast?”Calan pressed.
“Your kindarebeasts,” Gregory spat.
A thunderous pounding echoed from the front of the house, followed by raised voices.Everyone froze.
“My wife.My kids.”Gregory stripped off his bloody gloves and bolted from the surgery, terror rolling off him in waves.
Liam forced his eyes open and struggled to sit up.Gentle hands held him in place.
“Stay,” Calan murmured.“Gregory isn’t stupid.If he tells the hunters about us, he endangers every villager, himself included.Those men saw several of us in leopard form tonight.They know something’s not normal in this town.”
It was the longest speech Liam had heard from the quietest Teague brother.
“We need transport,” Liam said through gritted teeth.“Does anyone know where we can get a vehicle?”
“Not unless we steal one,” Kitto said.“The problem is, you’re in no shape to drive, and Calan and I have never learned.”
“I’ll teach you.”Liam tried to rise again, swayed, and nearly pitched forward, but Kitto grabbed him.“After I can see straight again.”
“You barely made it this far.I doubt you’ll get much farther without face-planting,” Calan pointed out.
“But Liam’s right about moving,” Kitto said.“We can’t stay—Gregory might trade us for his family’s safety.I have an idea, though.There’s somewhere we can hide until things settle.”
Voices in the front room grew louder, Gregory’s placating tone mixing with deeper voices demanding answers.
“Where?”Calan asked.
Kitto’s ears flattened against his skull.“Jules has a painting studio.Her father doesn’t know I still visit.”
Calan gaped.“The mayor’s daughter?The same one who called in those hunters?The one who got you beaten to a pulp?”
“We’re friends.She helps me with art techniques.I help her with other things.”
“Other things?”Calan’s eyebrows lifted.“Kitto, you’ve been holding out on us.”
“It’s not like that.”Pink crept up Kitto’s neck.“We paint together.She’s got a studio in her garden that her parents never visit because they hate the smell.”
Gregory returned, opening the door so abruptly that all three of them jumped.
“They’ve gone, but you need to leave.Now.”
“We will,” Kitto said.“Thank you for treating Liam’s wound.What do we owe you?”
Gregory’s expression softened fractionally.“Nothing.You saved Sophie when everyone else turned their backs.”He paused.“But don’t get caught.I doubt anyone else will bother helping you.”
Liam groaned as he hauled himself off the examination table.His legs went rubbery, and only Kitto’s quick reflexes kept him upright.
“Rear exit?”Calan asked.
Gregory led them through his cottage and cracked open the back door, peering both ways.“Clear for now.Move fast.”
The fog had rolled in heavier while they were inside, a veil that offered cover but made every step treacherous.Each slow shuffle sent jolts through Liam’s shoulder, and he had to grit his teeth to keep silent.
“This way.”Kitto guided them away from the village center, taking a route Liam wouldn’t have expected.
