where shadows rest
and dawns endure.
“Dawns endure,” I whispered to Brumous, who bounced around excitedly.
“How country,” Amabel scoffed as the driveway snaked through a forest so dense it seemed to swallow the light around us. “I bet it’s at least an hour away from any good shopping or clubs.”
“It’s lovely,” I said, the words slipping out before I could catch them, and I winced. Saying something like that was handing my stepsisters ammunition to shoot me with.
Sure enough, Eluned’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, a smirk playing on her lips.
“It is. Too bad you won’t be alive to enjoy it for very long.”
Ignoring her, I watched as the trees gave way to open lawns, a lake in the distance, flower beds, and, surprisingly, an apple orchard. It was a very beautiful property, and excitement at each new sight began to overshadow my fear.
Finally, we wound up to a sprawling, modern manor with hundreds of windows that shimmered like molten silver in the late afternoon light. Brass doorknobs gleamed, polished to a brilliance that spoke of wealth and meticulous care, and its grandeur was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. I closed my eyes, pressing my face into Brumous’ fur, and whispered my new prayer.
Let him be kind. Let him be decent. Don’t let him hurt me. Just that much. That’s all I need.
That would determine whether this was a refuge or a prison.
“Well, well, worthless,” Eluned sneered. “Looks like you’ve landed on your feet. For as long as you have them.”
“Unpack the car,” I ordered, tired of them, tired of being in the car, tired of being scared, tired of being tired. “Both of you. Now.”
They exchanged a look, their eyes flashing with resentment, but they obeyed. The trunk popped open, and Amabel lifted my backpack, her fingers pinching the fabric as if it might soil her hands. Eluned wasn’t much better with my suitcase.
I watched them with a mix of guilt and satisfaction. I knew it was spiteful, but after years of their cruelty, it felt like a small, justified rebellion. Still, I knew they’d get back at me the first chance they got.
“Listen to me, Brummy,” I whispered, cupping his fuzzy face in my palms and waiting until his eyes met mine. “If things go south, you run, okay? Hide somewhere safe.”
He tilted his head, his ears perking up in confusion. He let out a soft whine, as if in defiance to my orders, and I smiled a little.
“You know which side your bread is buttered on, don’t you?”
He cocked his head further, his expression playful.Where’s the buttered bread?I imagined him asking and chuckled softly. I was always amazed at how much he understood, even if he couldn’t reply.
“I’ll feed you again as soon as I can.”
My gaze drifted back to the house. I had hoped someone,anyone, would be here to greet me, even a gardener, but the driveway was empty, the house silent. My ‘husband’ was as absent as the kindness I’d prayed for, which was going to be a problem now.
My contract with Arabesque specified that Amabel and Eluned had to follow my orders until I arrived at my new home.
Well, I had arrived. And my stepsisters weren’t the kind to miss an opportunity to attack.
My magic was only an ember. Arabesque had left me just enough so I still smelled like a witch, but not enough to defend myself. I was as vulnerable as a lamb physically, too, worn down by the fever that came with my hurt arm, as well as the effects of the siphoning. If Amabel and Eluned attacked, there would be little I could do.
“If you won’t run and hide, stay close so I can protect you,” I told Brumous, even though I knew it was a joke.
I couldn’t sit here until someone showed up, even if my stepsisters would have allowed me to. Any minute, they’d return to the car and drag me out, by the hair, most likely. I needed to act first.
If I can make it to the door, and if it isn’t locked, I’ll be fine,I told myself. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all I had.
I’d moved the duffle of Papa’s things to the back seat before we left the werewolf palace. It was pitifully empty, and I knew I probably should have used a smaller bag, but it was what I’d had available. Unzipping it, I made sure the twins didn’t add a nasty surprise, then slung it over my good arm when I saw nothing unusual.
Drawing up every ounce of courage I had left, I touched my fingers to the door handle. The second Amabel and Eluned walked past the car with the final load of my boxes and bags, I flung the door open.
“Go, Brummy!”
