“They aren’t making any trouble, are they?” Phoebe crossed her arms over the wooden rail.
“Not much, though they are enjoying the snow now that their fur has grown out. I don’t recognize my own horse; it seems he always turns a new color with his overgrown coat,” I laughed.
We watched the trees rustle behind the paddock and our beasts running along the powdery expanse.
“How is the progress with the Guild on the east side?” she asked. “I know you had plans to go in a few days.Spaulding Club,was it?”
“Yes, we had received the official invite. I don’t know who is coming with me. I haven’t posted it to our board yet.”
“Just... be careful,” she stressed. “You know how I feel about these club types. Feels unnatural.”
“Everything here is unnatural. It is a new world, a new order. Give it a chance, I heard they have good reserves.”
“Take some Vipera with you, please.” She sighed, her breath frozen in the air as she watched the horses. The snowfall made her look even more vibrant. Her hair was like fire against the white landscape.
“I will take Edith.” I glanced at her. “She’s been wanting to come out for more hunts lately. I’m glad she is getting less squeamish. We will be all right. At this rate, we may be able to afford a new rooming situation.”
“That would be nice.” Phoebe rested her chin on her arms. “And what of you? Will we share a flat? A home? Or will you be bored of living with me?”
“I could never be bored of you.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “We are best friends, sisters. We stick togetheralways.”
“Yes, sisters,” she whispered, looking down at the frosted tallgrass that was frozen in place along the wooden fence.
“Morbs?” I asked her, as she had done to me many times before.
“Morbs.” She rested her head on my shoulder. I could feel she was in some sort of state; it did not take any extra human senses to see it. I hoped I could make it better. I blamed the dreary weather most of all.
As the night grew cooler, the house only became warmer. The girls filed home, one by one. We gathered for our nightly routine, keeping mostly to the living room next to the kitchen. Tonight’s meal was pork and potato stew.
Most of the night was spent socializing, though I did not mind this type of chatter. We discussed our days, town gossip, or other happenings. I mainly listened instead of participating.
There were two parallel couches facing each other in front of the fire. Several girls sat on the couches, and many sat on the rug on the floor to share the small table. I was brushing Adeline’s hair as she sat on the floor between my legs, with other girls performing similar tasks as we got ready for our nighttime routine.
This situation was all new to me a few years ago. I had never had a meaningful relationship with women outside of Phoebe. I did not have a mother to look up to, and most of my professional career was among men who did not think I belonged. For so long, I thought female friendships were mostly useless, but that may have been the influence of the lack of women in my life. I suppose that is what happens when you are raised by a callous single father who was clueless to social expectations.
It was nice to take care of people, and for them to care back. There was an unspoken love and commitment to each other that was more powerful than any bond I could imagine.
One thing did not change—the need to protect them from the world.
It was hard to believe that someone like me deserved the love they had all shown me these past few years.
As my gaze passed over the faces of chattering peers, my eyes landed on Phoebe, who had been staring. When our gazes met, she glanced away. Even in the dim light, I could see the blush on her cheeks. It brought a smile to my face.
I could not imagine a more perfect moment. Surrounded by those whom I loved and who loved me fiercely back. No matter the season, my girls would be by my side. There was no need to feel alone, ever.
14
THE CREATURE
Even in the earliest hours of the morning, that blond-haired sprite was still in the bar of the hotel. At this point, I knew when the nymph’s supposed night shift started and ended. It was from nine o’clock at night to two in the morning, typically, leaving time for her to travel home and back, of course. It was silly to hide something as primal as hunting for food from her Nest, though I supposed I did not fully understand the dynamics at play.
“If you keep showing up, I may start to think you’re looking forward to seeing me.” I slid onto the barstool next to her.
“Sometimes it is easier to talk to a foreigner than a local.” She shrugged.
“Here for another round on me? Or will you actually be hunting this time?” I asked her, the tender already pouring my usual request.
“You ask an awful lot of questions.”
