The thought gnaws at me the whole way home.
I hold my wolf form all the while, just in case anyone, or anything, decides to try their luck again. If anyone does try, I want every advantage I can have.
When Lila glances over her shoulder at me, looking for me in the trees while she follows the path back through town, Ipush reassurance down the bond, silently letting her know I’m still here.
Eventually, they reach the house, and I wait until they’re inside before shifting back. I stretch my arms as I get used to standing on two legs again, and I grab a pair of sweats from a bin kept outside before heading in.
Astrid is half-asleep against Lila’s shoulder, exhausted after the shock of it all. She’s held tightly, protectively, as if Lila can’t stand to part with her yet. But, she eventually takes her into the bedroom and lays her down before returning. She leaves the door open just a crack before turning to me, eyes blazing with residual fear and anger.
“What the hell was that?” she asks, voice hoarse.
“I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Lila’s jaw clenches as she looks up at me. “I thought we were supposed to be safe here. So then why did they try to take my daughter?”
“I don’t know, but that’s exactly why I didn’t want the two of you wandering around without me.”
“What, we can’t even take a walk through town without being threatened?”
I pull in a breath to calm myself before taking a small step towards her. “They weren’t here for no reason, I know that much. They were clearly after something, and I think you know what it is.”
Lila stiffens. “I don’t. I have no idea why.”
“Lila,” I murmur, voice lowered but not cruel. “Don’t lie to me, not about this. Not while yours and Astrid’s safety are in jeopardy.”
Something moves in her jaw, and she pushes silence between us.
Then, with a resigned breath, her eyes soften into something more concerned. She rubs at her temple, voice quiet. “It’s Astrid.”
“What about her?”
Lila swallows hard, silently debating not saying anything before the words finally leave her. “She has… abilities.”
Everything in me goes incredibly still, and I don’t look away from her. “What abilities?”
“Magic ones.”
Magic. Astrid possesses the ability to use magic, and that’s why they’re after her.
I blink back at her in disbelief. How did I not know?
“Magic use is forbidden here. If humans were to see it—”
“You don’t think I know that?” Lila snaps at me, voice far more intense than it ever has been. “I know it… That’s why I kept her away on the outskirts since she started showing signs. That’s why I kept her hidden and stayed away.”
Her voice breaks into something more vulnerable as tears line her eyes, unspilling.
“Magic usually gives off some kind of signature. How has nobody else found out?”
Lila collects herself with a deep breath, arms wrapped around herself for comfort. “Because I’m the same. I have just enough strength to mask it, shielding her, and in turn, shielding everyone else.”
My brows pinch together. “You’ve been suppressing it all this time?”
She nods, expression slowly giving away her exhaustion. “Yes. But it’s getting harder to contain it as she gets older. She’s… strong. Far stronger than I expected.”
So many thoughts tremble through my mind at once, but I run a hand through my hair as the realization of it all settles in my skin.
“Lila… magic isn’t just forbidden here. It’s shunned and hunted. It’s… unpredictable at best, and a threat to the way we do things. It’s a liability.”
