"Last I heard, still in town. Diana saw her near the Book Nook."
"On my way."
Tristan changed direction, angling back toward the square. The temperature had dropped with the sun, turning breath to fog and making every surface slick. He found Maren outside Lucien's bookshop, clutching a paper-wrapped bundle and looking like she was debating whether to go inside somewhere else or just leave.
"Miss Pitch," he called.
She turned, silver eyes finding him immediately. Even in the fading light, she was striking. Tall and poised despite theobvious tension in her shoulders, black curls escaping a loose braid to frame high cheekbones and smooth brown skin. The flowing black dress and cloak made her look like she'd stepped out of old folklore, dangerous and beautiful and utterly calm despite everything happening around her.
His tiger went very still.
"Officer Ash," she said quietly. "I assume this isn't a coincidence."
"I'm here to walk you home."
"Walk me home or make sure I leave town?"
"The first one." He moved closer, lowering his voice. "There's been another incident. Tensions are high. Emmett wants to make sure you get back safely."
"Another incident." She didn't sound surprised, just tired. "Let me guess. Something broke, and I was nearby."
"A lantern at the forge. Shadow magic signature."
"Of course it was." Her grip tightened on the bundle. "And now everyone's convinced I'm responsible."
"Some people are." Tristan scanned the square, noting which windows had faces pressed against glass, watching. "Which is why I'm here. To make sure nobody does something stupid."
She studied him for a long moment, those silver eyes searching for something. Her shadows moved around her feet, barely visible in the dimming light but present. Watchful.
"Alright," she said finally. "Let's go before I become tonight's entertainment."
They fell into step together, Tristan positioning himself slightly between her and the town center. Professional distance but close enough to respond if needed. The walk toward the forest path started quiet, just boots crunching through snow and wind stirring through bare branches.
"You've been watching me," Maren said suddenly.
Tristan didn't bother denying it. "Council orders."
"And what have you seen?"
"Someone going about their business. Running errands. Talking to maybe three people." He kept his gaze forward, scanning the treeline ahead. "Nothing that warrants the fear I'm seeing in town."
"But you still think I might be dangerous."
"I think someone's using shadow magic to cause problems. Whether that's you or someone else, I don't know yet."
She made a soft sound that might've been a laugh. "At least you admit you don't know. Most people have already decided."
"I'm not most people."
"No. You're not."
They left the town's edge behind, lamplight fading as forest pressed in around them. The path to her cottage cut through dense pines, snow unmarked except for a few animal tracks. Isolated. Vulnerable.
"They're going to blame me for this," Maren said quietly. "No matter what you find."
"Maybe."
"Definitely." She pulled her cloak tighter against the cold. "I've seen this before. Once fear takes root, evidence doesn't matter."
