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During the night, a storm had blown in from the west, making itself a lingering guest over Callum for the day and well into the evening. Between the chill and downpour, all the town had come for a bowl of Miss Patricia’s warming stew and to hear a traveling band perform. They graced the Runaway Radish’s stage, playing sad songs of the sea.
Kade used a rag to dry glasses at the bar.Barmaids bustled and passed out pints and plates of food as Miss Patricia busied herself in the kitchen, her hum matching the tune of the band’s song. A draft from outside whirled its way in, the drizzle of rain trickling through the treble of the violin, and the wind howling alongside the accordion.
Evelyn, her cheeks rosy from the cold, entered with another young woman with damp hair as white as snow. The wooden door swung closed with a snap, and his betrothed’s eyes met his across the room.
The crowd fell away. The music drowned out. And Kade’s heart rose in his throat.
They hadn’t seen each other or talked to the other since he’d stormed out of her apartment.
His betrothed’s silver eyes only met his for the briefest of moments before flashing over the rest of the inn. Kade wasn’t ready to face her after their disagreement the night before. Evelyn’s shoulders drooped after her assessment of the tables and chairs, and she swallowed, seeming to mirror his sentiment.
But fate had different plans.
Not a single seat lay vacant except for the remaining bar seats. Whomever she’d arrived with must’ve not known about their quarrel or cared because she cut straight through the crowd to the seats as if she owned the place. A beauty in her own right, the woman drew appraising looks from some of the town’s men as did Evelyn. Kade’s grip on the glass he dried tightened, but Evelyn took no notice of the men sending glances her way, only biting her lip as she approached him.
“Hey,” she said, saddling up onto the barstool.
The young woman sat next to Evelyn, swinging onto the barstool with grace and ease. Her brows scrunched over light green eyes that jumped between her and Kade. “You two know each other?”
Kade could’ve sworn Evelyn grimaced as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is Cyrus. We’re working on the murder case together.”
Relief, Kade hated to admit, washed through him. After last night he wasn’t sure where they stood. He’d told her to investigate Lake Glenn without him. Moons, she’d admitted they worked together, but it didn’t lighten his frustration. With the missing body parts and the possible connection to the witches’ creed, Evelyn, as Daughter of the Goddess, had to understand the gravity of the situation. Last night, she’d worn her mask. Kade couldn’t gauge how she felt about the possible connection, only that she wanted to solve the murders.
Kade had left in a rush after those words, unsure if he’d let his frustration out and say something foolish or compromising. She’d started to drop her walls. Had revealed she was a witch. Had been vulnerable around him.
Then last night, it was as if she had built all these walls back up between them, and he could do nothing to stop it and still had no clue how to talk to her without demanding answers. Was she not unsettled that the witches’ creed may be at play?
“You’re working on the murders with someone?” The snowy haired woman’s tone was high-pitched. Accusatory. And playful.
Evelyn fidgeted in her seat. Sighing, she said, “Yes, I . . . maybe I forgot to mention that.”
“Right, forgot.” The young woman’s gaze met Kade’s. “Because he’s clearly so forgettable.”
“Tovi,” Evelyn warned.
Ah, so this was the friend Evelyn had mentioned knowing her identity as a witch. Kade observed her. Far as he could tell, she was human. His wolf didn’t sense any magic or anything else, for that matter. Yet, why did Tovi know Evelyn was a witch? How had she gained Evelyn’s trust to learn that secret?
“Forgive me for being curious.” Tovi shrugged, a glint lighting her eyes. “You’ve never worked with anyone before, even on the Gua—ow!”
Evelyn kicked her friend so hard the slender woman swayed as her chair rocked. Evelyn widened her eyes and jutted her chin out as Tovi steadied herself.
Kade looked between the young women. Moons. They knew each other. Sure, Evelyn and Aster were friends, but these two shared a bond. A deep and long one.
He’d experienced sharing silent looks like that with his brother, Eldrick. Mischievous ones across the table during family dinners as pups listening to grown-up talk. Sly ones as they’d flirted and mingled with pack females during celebrations. The stoic kind, like the last one Eldrick had given him as Kade had ridden off to find Evelyn. He’d not needed words to say he didn’t agree with Kade’s choice.
He and Eldrick knew each other like no one else did. Like Tovi had attempted with Evelyn moments ago, Kade had tried to get under his brother’s thick exterior and rile him up for the fun of it. And though Eldrick was his older brother, they were also best friends.
Like Evelyn and Tovi.
A bond like that took years to build with memories, occasions, and experiences.
Tovi had almost said Guard, Kade was certain of it, which meant Tovi was someone from Evelyn’s past, and she had to at least know something of why Evelyn had left. Stars above, did she also know which witch she was?
“Are ya going to stand there all night?” Miss Patricia called from around the corner. “Serve the pretty lasses a drink! Saige, dear, extra turnips in your stew?”
“Please,” Evelyn said with a laugh.
“And extra bread for me!” Tovi called as Miss Patricia disappeared back into the kitchen.
