“We need the full story. What really happened at the Bell farm, why she agreed to marry three strangers—”
“Contract required willing consent,” Casimir said flatly as he intercepted the apple core Zane tossed toward the sink midair and added it to the compost bin.
“ ‘Sign here to escape your abusive Dark witch step-mommy or die in a ditch after she drains you dry.’Veryhard choice,” Zane snorted.
“She wasn’t just running. That whisperbind or whatever it is that Arabesque slapped on her? The way she looks at Brumous?” My fist hit the marble. “There’s layers here. Rot we’re not seeing.”
Casimir rubbed his knuckle between his eyes.
“We’ll ask her tomorrow. Straight questions, no bullshit.”
“And if shecan’tanswer?” Zane’s smirk didn’t reach his eyes. He spun a knife from the block, showy twirl, all street-magician flair. “Magic muzzles tend to come with teeth, big brother.”
Something warm and furry brushed my hip.
“Brumster!” Zane sighed with mock frustration. “You’re supposed to be on watch upstairs!”
“Seems he wants some guy time.” I scratched behind his notched ear.
“He smells the food,” Cas said dismissively.
“We need to get some things for him,” I decided. “Toys. Things to chew.”
Brumous glanced at me, ears flattened in apology for existing. His ribs still poked through patchy fur, but three square meals today, plus however many goodies Zane kept sneaking him, seemed to have given him a little extra energy. Enough, at least, for him to come downstairs himself.
Staring into his eyes, I had a thought.
“Maybe we can ask someoneelsewho was there.”
Silence.
Casimir’s laugh was a sharp, bitter bark.
“He’s a wolf, Koa. A damaged, half-grown pup at that.”
“He’s adirewolf,” I corrected. Brumous licked my wrist, tail thumping. “Arabesque did something to him. Stole his voice, maybe his memories. But the framework’s still there.”
“Oh, hell, no.” Zane froze mid-knife-spin. “You don’t—”
“Telepathy bypasses words.” I locked eyes with him over Brumous’ head. “You’re the only one who can slip into his mindscape.”
The knife clattered to the floor.
“Four problems.” Z ticked fingers. “One: Ever tried navigating a scrambled brain? It’s like doing parkour in a funhouse. Two: What if I get stuck? Three: What if he doesn’t want me in there?” His voice spiraled higher. “Four: What if I see something I can’t handle?”
“We’ll be here for you. Like always.” I patted Brumous’ head gently. “Now, let’s ask him if he’s willing.”
“He does not have the capacity for consent,” Cas scoffed.
“I don’t believe that, but even if he doesn’t, we should still ask him first,” I insisted. “We should still try to respect his boundaries.”
“Boundaries? Koa! He. Is. A.Wolf!”
“He. Is.Ours!” The growl ripped out of me before I could leash it, and Brumous whined, pressing hard against me. “However much Arabesque broke him, he’s stillSeri’s. That meansours. We don’t violate that. Not even for answers.”
“Look, I’m all for magical espionage, Ko, but have you seen how he flinches at loud noises?” Zane sighed. “How he hides under Seri’s chair when we talk too loud?”
“Wounds don’t heal in the dark, bro,” I pointed out.
