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Chapter 23
“You sure that woman lives here?” Gage fingered a wreath made of twigs on the front door.
I recoiled along the cobblestone footpath in the front yard, my bag on my back holding my hair, and scanned the sides of the house. I spotted a passage to our right and headed that way, Gage following and carrying Gingernuts in his bag.
The narrow corridor flanked by the stone house and a lofty fence led us to the rear of the property. The land opened outward into a garden wonderland. Rows of carrots, lettuce, turnips, and many more vegetables filled gardens in every direction, and farther yet stood a wooden shed with the door open. An oversized oak was behind the shed, a tire swing hanging from a branch. Someone had to live here by the look of those gardens.
“Hello! Remy, are you home?” I asked.
In response, a black cat slinked out from the shed, tail high and rubbing itself against the wall. An elderly woman with a green apron over a yellow dress emerged, her eyebrows raised. She met my gaze and studied Gage.
“Can I help you both?” Her voice was stern yet familiar and welcoming.
I sauntered toward her, my hands tucked into my pockets to appear less threatening. “My name is Elliana, and you probably don’t remember me, but you used to know my father, Thomas. You used to call him ‘Tom Cat.’” I’d only met Remy a few times; she’d always roar with laughter at Dad’s jokes. Heavens, what I wouldn’t give to have those moments back. I swallowed the rock in my throat.
Her eyes wandered upward as she tapped her chin, her silvery hair waving in the breeze over her shoulders. “Yes, I remember him. He would try to sweettalk me so I’d make him my tea cake. He’d say it was the best in all of Haven Realm.” She laughed. “He was a charmer. And I remember you, but my, how you’ve grown.”
Remy ambled forward, staring up at me, as she had to be at just under five feet. “How’s your father? You both vanished and I never saw you after.”
At first, the words refused to come. I’d said them so many times, but looking into Remy’s warming eyes reminded me of the wonderful man I missed so much. “I’m sorry.” My voice shook. “But my father has passed.” I tried to smile, but holding it together grew harder when Remy clasped her chest and stared at me with glistening eyes.
“Dear, I’m sorry. He was a wonderful man.”
“Thanks.”
Gage approached us, offering me the distraction I yearned for, but it was Gingernuts who made his presence known with a long howl.
Remy gushed, reaching down for him, scratching his head. “Who is this?”
“Gingern…” I wasn’t sure I could say his name to this elderly woman. “This is Ginger. He’s a noisy boy often.”
“And I’m Gage, the non-noisy one.”
Remy laughed and patted Gage on the arm. “Come inside for a spot of tea.”
By the time we’d settled down on a couch, we sipped chamomile tea. I released Gingernuts out of his bag, and he wasted no time running around the house, checking out every corner. He wasn’t your typical scared feline.
“We’re here to ask for information and perhaps your help,” I began while Gage focused on doling a heap of cream on his scone—clearly making himself at home.
“Dear. Your father was a gentle soul who’d always bring me a gift each time he visited. So I’ll assist how I can.” Her smile was contagious, and I suspected there had been more going on between her and Dad. But it was adorable. I wished more than ever that he was still alive and had time to make a future with Remy. Maybe I’d be able to experience a real family.
“I heard from folk in town that a lion shifter attacked a few locals,” I said.
“Oh.” Her hands clasped to her chest, and her white hair trembled as she nodded. “Tragic. The farmers had been hunting pheasants when a white lion with horns attacked them. Both farmers escaped with grave injuries. But we’ve had no attacks in town for so long.”
“It’s probably best if everyone stays in town for a while,” Gage added.
Remy sipped from her cup. “The last time something like that happened, I was a child. A great battle had broken out between the lions in a local pride. It was horrendous.” The cup quivered in her hands. “Their fight spilled into the town. People died, as did lion shifters. I remember the ground littered with bodies, the air ripe with death. But there was one beast, white as snow, who survived. Blood splattered his mane and face as he limped off.”
“Do you think it’s the same one who attacked the farmers?” Gage asked as he stuffed his mouth with half a scone.
She shrugged. “The recent attacks were by a creature with a scorpion tail, but the animal I’d seen all those years ago was just an albino lion. So angry and out of control.” Her lips thinned as she shook her head in disapproval.
I exchanged glances with Gage, and I’d have bet we were thinking similar thoughts. It was the same fucking bastard. “Did you ever find out why he killed his pride?”
“I’ve no idea, child, but after that day, I never saw him again. I hope whoever attacked those men doesn’t return to the city. The council are talking about building a locked gate around my town now.”
“It’s sad it’s come to that.” I gulped my tea as Gingernuts brushed past my legs and then Remy’s. She bent down and picked him up.
