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“Thanks.” But my life had become so much more complicated after meeting three amazing men. Except they didn’t belong in my world, and maybe I didn’t, either. But the Den wasn’tsafe.
When Nero chuckled, we turned to find the guys dressed and shoving each other about playfully. No surprise Nero would wear the shiny vest with no shirt underneath and knee-length shorts. It suited him and his musculararms.
Oryn buttoned up a black shirt and wore matching pants. But both pulled taut across his body and looked ready to bust open if he flexed. With his long, raven hair, he was the epitome of a shadow assassin, or what I’d imagine they looked like, hunting in the Darkwoodsrealm.
Dagen only had on pants the color of dried grass that reached halfway up his shins. They hung low off his V-shaped waist, drawing attention to his abs, and the delicious package cradledlower.
When I looked up, he arched an eyebrow at me. “What am I supposed to wear ontop?”
“Told you,” Nero said. “Put on thecape.”
Dagen’s death stare made me smirk. “I’m not going around looking like abat.”
“That’s from a costume party,” Bee said. “No idea how it got into the pile. Why not try the short tunic? It’s loose and you look like a bigboy.”
He plucked out the sand-colored tunic and pulled it over his head. It matched his lighthair.
“So what now?” Bee said. “Dad’s only home for lunch, then he’s out again, but what are you four going to do? I’ll go with you if you need help.” She collected the rest of the clothes and tossed me my backpack, which I’d leftdownstairs.
“We need to visit my shop, as I need to test for the poison in the river and help the wolves. Plus, I have to see what state my store and home are in.” I pictured the place demolished and only rubble left. I hugged myself from the chill crawling along myarms.
“Once your dad leaves, we’ll head off,” I said. “Thanks for everything, but I don’t want you to get intotrouble.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Oryn said. “We will keep Sharlotsafe.”
“Is that right, Sharlot?” Bee smirked my way, but when she pulled me aside, her tone turned serious. “I know this is the wrong place, and I hate asking”—she twisted her fingers over one another—“but yesterday, Dad sold our last few chickens at the market.And—”
“Oh, crap. I owe you the wolfsbane for that job.” I dug into the bag, convinced I had two roots left. I gingerly lifted them by a thin thread. Once I got home, I’d be disinfecting everything in my bag. “Got them right here. Sorry I waslate.”
Bee collected a jewelry box from the chest of drawers, tipped the contents out, and presented the open container. I placed the plantsinside.
“Damn, girl, you have the best excuse in the world,” she said. “But I should be okay, I think. I’m only a few days late to go into the mountains to complete the job, and fingers crossed my new clients won’t be pissed. I’ll head there as soon as Dad heads back to the markets.” She looked at me as she shut the box. “Unless you need mehere?”
“No, we’re all good. Do what you need to do. When you return, we can do a massive catch up.” I hoped I would still behere.
* * *
Leaves rustled around us,and the afternoon sun already dipped, but the four of had marched through the woods, staying clear of the town and homes. The forest swayed around us. We followed the next bend. Then I halted and gasped as I laid eyes on my shop. My life. Everything Grandma had leftme.
The small building with stone walls had the windows busted out, the wooden window panels torn off their hinges, along with the front door. The sign dangled over the doorway, ready to fall. My heart bled, and tears prickled myeyes.
Dagen was right beside me, taking my hand in his, while Nero and Oryn took the lead. But everything inside me trembled. I’d worked so goddamn hard to have it ripped away. I scanned the area. No sign of guards around. Were they watching? Surely if they were, they would have arrested us bynow.
Dagen sniffed the air. “No one’s here butus.”
I ran forward, tears flooding my cheeks. Inside, I stepped on splinters, broken jars, herbs scattered everywhere. The counter sat on its side, as did the display cabinets in the front windows. Every item on the shelves on the back wall lay smashed, except a single teapot remaineduntouched.
Someone had even thrown my cash register into the wall, resulting in a massive hole. “Bastards,” I choked, shaking, unable to deal with the loss. I fell to my knees, and the emotions strangled me. The life I’d put together had been torn away. All my hard work, the healing potions I’d created for sick people,destroyed.
Nero was next to me, his arms around my shoulders, his head against mine. “Little lamb, I’m so sorry.” He took me into his arms and held metight.
I sobbed against his chest, tired of always following the rules, doing the right thing, and yet I’d witnessed the priestess breaking the law, and I’d paid forit.
“This isn’t fair,” I whispered. “I wanted to assist people, follow in my grandma’s footsteps. I didn’t hurtanyone.”
He rubbed my back and kissed my head. “No one will ever touch youagain.”
“We’ll help you rebuild your store,” Orynadded.
