“What did he say?” Lachlan asked, but Kian shook his head.
“I couldn’t possibly repeat such filth in front of Wren!”
“Oh, you little…” Lachlan went to grab Nightshade, but I waved my hand back and forth.
“He’s just an innocent squirrel.”
“He’s not innocent!” Lachlan and Kian exclaimed.
The howling whistle of the wind blew through the dead trees that were broken at the trunks and littered around the perimeter of the village. The village was desolate. There was a constant sorrow in the atmosphere that I couldn’t shake. It was such a drastic contrast from Kian, who was so full of life.
A heavy fog coated the area, and there was an enormous tree that had fallen into the fence. The gate next to it was off its hinges, open.
“Listen,” Kian said, running a hand through his hair as his chin trembled.
I didn’t like seeing him so nervous. It was almost as if he were afraid. The way he talked about the village made me realize this wasn’t a happy place, but the gravity of that fact didn’t sink in until now.
“Please stay close to us and between us at all times. I’m not telling you this to tell you what to do, but I just want to be able to keep you safe.”
I nodded. “Of course. I’ll do whatever you say.”
“And Nightshade, you need to hide.”
Nightshade rolled his eyes and puffed his little chest out.
Kian flattened his lips. “I’m not joking. I don’t want you to be seen by them.”
Nightshade threw his arms up.
“No, you don’t understand. I don’t care about that. You don’t even know these people.”
Nightshade grunted.
“But that doesn’t matter. You don’t know how bad—”
Lachlan put his hand on Kian’s shoulder and squeezed. “Don’t worry. We’re not gonna let anything happen.”
Kian fumbled with the hem of his shirt. “Please hide, Nightshade.”
Nightshade let out an exasperated sigh before crawling into my shirt and leaving his little head out.
Kian blushed before running a hand down his face. “That’s not what I meant, but if it’ll keep you out of sight, if Wren is okay with it….”
“Kian.” I stepped forward and put my hand on his chest. “Everything’s gonna be okay. I’ll stay between you and Lachlan, and if anything completely crazy happens, Thorn and Damien will be here.”
Lachlan scoffed. “We don’t need them to protect you or us. You have a pretty badass werewolf and an extremely powerful warlock on your side.”
I smiled. “I know that, but I just wanted to give you reassurance that we’re not alone out here.”
“Are you ready?” Lachlan asked.
Kian’s fingers twitched, and I reached out and grabbed his hand with a reassuring smile.
”As ready as I’ll ever be. Wren, please… don’t think differently of me after you see where I grew up.” His voice broke.
I shook my head. “Never.”
Lachlan grabbed my other hand, and Nightshade nuzzled himself between my breasts and clung to my shirt with his little nose sticking out.
