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She readjusts the leash, seeming to choose her words carefully. “It’s really nice here. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. It seems…safe.”

A slight breeze carries her scent back to me, curling around me and making it more difficult than it should be to fully focus on getting her to open up.

“Can’t beat small town charm or safety.”

“Safety is an illusion,” she whispers, as Minna comes to a halt. I want to press her and ask what that means, but hold my tongue.

Minna pauses to investigate a patch of grass. I take the opportunity to truly take in Cordelya.

Her hair is braided neatly out of her face, held back by a lacy bandana. She has on a long-sleeved shirt with the Twisted Broom logo stretched across her ample chest. It’s paired with dark-wash jeans that hug every dip and delectable curve from her hips to her rounded peach all the way down her sculpted legs.

She’s the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

After a thorough sniffing, Minna begins to walk again. I can hear the music from the town square. Ahead, several tables are set up in front of various storefronts, clerks dressed in a variety of costumes handing out candy to excited passersby.

I just catch the ghost of a smile flit across Corelya's pillowy lips before she seems to shake herself, once more eyes scanning her surroundings.

“So the Twisted Broom?” I say as Minna pauses at the first table we come to.

“Mhm,” she says as her eyes dance over the table and the goblin behind it.

He extends baskets to us with a pointy-toothed smile. “Hey, Count, Ma’am.”

I grab the two baskets he holds out for Cordelya and snag a third. “Allow me, since you’ve got an injury and the leash.”

“Um, what are the baskets for?” Cordelya asks.

Idiot. You should have explained.

“Sorry. I forget you’re brand new.”

The goblin shop owner extends a hand. “Welcome,” he says to Cordelya. I can feel a snarl building in my chest as their hands meet. He shouldn’t be touching her.

Whoa Augustus. That’s not your place.

I have to fake a cough when she smiles at him. I want her smiles to be mine. Shaking myself of possessive thoughts I have no business thinking, especially since she’s clearly hiding something, I return to her question.

“These,” I hold up the three baskets, “are Boo Baskets. All the people participating in the fair have goodies for everyone, kids and adults. You get the basket at your first stop to carry all your goodies.”

“Why three baskets?”

“One for you, one for me, and one for Minna. Most of the participants have something pet-friendly to share.”

“What a cute idea.” She says as we start walking again. “I used to go to markets like this all the time, but you always had to bring your own bags, and there weren’t any goodies like this,” she says, peering into one of the baskets. There’s a sadness to her tone that eats at me.

“What kind of markets do you have where you’re from?”

The minute the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Cordelya’s body tightens as she puts distance between us, and she begins scanning the area again.

“Nothing like this,” she says tightly.

We reach the next table before I can fuck this conversation up further.

We stop by the pet store table, where Minna is fawned over by the owner. Cordelya gets grooming information for her many animals, and then we’re off walking again.

In between stops at the tables set up in front of various shops, we chat about her job and the Twisted Broom and how she’s settling into the town. I make sure to stay away from questions about where she comes from, focusing instead on acquainting her with Ravens Hollow.

I get the impression she moves around a lot, which just makes me more sure she’s running from something—or someone.