“They were in the statue garden?”
They pissed off a dragon by planning to steal an item from his hoard?I actually want to ask, but Sev’s binding is on me.
“No. A sorcerer spelled them into small animals—a rabbit and a cat, respectively—so he could keep them captive and drain their magic.”
I grimace at the thought. At least I was only vaguely aware of my captivity.
“Neither was trapped as long as you, but still. It takes time to adjust.” She retrieves her phone. “I’m here to help. I have a free room in the house. If you don’t want to go back to Levi’s.”
Just the thought of reentering that towering building has me cringing.
Then an important fact pricks at my mind. “I’m a monster. Your house is in Of the Wing territory.” I feel myself frown in further confusion. “And you’re a witch.”
“Yeah, I had to get special permission from The Council. And they only agreed when my sister offered to work for them for a stretch of time.”
“Why go through the trouble?”
Mor spine straightens, as if she’s used to defending this point. “My book collection is special. I want it available but also kept safe. A house formerly home to a dragon’s hoard has natural protections.”
Which I know better than most.
Suddenly, sitting still feels too much like the prison I endured. I stand up quickly, causing Mor to lean back in surprise.
“Are there any other captives in the statue garden?” My anxiety has my voice coming out harsh.
Mor frowns. “No. You were the only one.”
I shake my head, my brain and body burning with the twist of emotions I can’t untangle.
“I’ll figure things out on my own.” I always have. Relying on someone else was trained out of me early on in life.
“You don’t have to.” Mor leans forward again. “There are plenty of mythics who can help ease your way.”
I huff a sad laugh, lacking true humor.
Monsters have always had to fend for themselves.
“Trust me, they won’t bother.”
“What does that mean?” The beautiful witch studies me, and I’m sure that given enough time, she could pry out all my secrets, magical binding or no.
“Means this town found me easy to forget.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “Because no one wanted me here in the first place.”
“Bo. Do not say shit like that about yourself.” Mor is too adorable when she scowls.
Makes walking away from her hard. But not impossible.
“Thank you, Mor Shelly. For what you did.” I offer a deep nod and meet her eyes hoping she can see the sincerity in mine. “But don’t worry about me. You’ve done more than anyone else ever has, and I’ll always be grateful.”
Then I turn and head toward the forest, no direction in mind.
Just away from the woman who has me wondering what it would be like to be wanted.
11
Mor
I thoughtfor sure that I was alone in the library.
