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Because I was trained from childhood to protect my secret. Because the truth risked my life and the lives of those around me. Because Kane discovered my secret and immediately ran away from me. When even the prince of hell rejects you because of who you are… I shook off the negative line of thought.
“Because,” I said simply.
Ray moved to stand beside Nana Pratt. “Lorelei, if it’s usyou’re protecting, there’s no need. Nobody can hurt us when we’re already dead.”
“There are many ways to hurt the dead. You have no idea.” My response sounded more ominous than I intended.
“You would never hurt us,” Nana Pratt said. “I know that.”
“Not intentionally, no.” I gestured to the wall. “Can we get back to work now? This mural isn’t going to remove itself.” Although I wished it would.
“Isn’t there a magic spell that will change the mural without all this work?” Nana Pratt asked, as if reading my mind.
“I’m sure there is, but I try not to engage with witches unless absolutely necessary.”
“You seem to like the Bridger witch well enough,” the old woman pointed out.
I looked at her. “Spells cost money. Right now, I have more time than money, so manual labor it is.”
Ray resumed scraping. “You really won’t tell us?” he asked softly.
Years of conditioning were too difficult to undo with a simple request. Pops had ingrained the need for secrecy deep into my psyche for my own good.
“No,” I said. “Let’s change the subject.”
“What did your werewolf friend want this morning?” Nana Pratt asked.
I told them about Chutney, and Bert’s alleged sighting of a lost dog.
“Why haven’t you gone out to look for it?” Ray asked.
“Because Bert’s the only one who thought he saw a dog, and because I’m not a wolf.”
“No, but your grandfather used to take you hunting. You know how to track.”
I lowered my arm. “Are you trying to get rid of me again, Ray?”
“Of course not, but Ingrid and I can carry on with this work while you search for the dog. It’s freezing outside, and with snow on the ground, a dog will struggle to find food.”
And now all sorts of unpleasant images were flashing in my mind starring a potentially imaginary dog and his quest for survival. Clearly, I’d watchedThe Incredible Journeytoo many times.
I switched off the iron and set it on the floor. “You really don’t mind if I go?”
“As long as you don’t mind us staying in the house while you’re gone,” Ray replied.
“Stay out of my bedroom, and we’re good.”
They both nodded. “Put on an extra layer before you leave,” Nana Pratt advised. “Otherwise, as soon as the sun goes down, you’ll catch your death.”
I hurried upstairs to change, adding an undershirt and a pair of thermal leggings for good measure. I also wore my fluffiest, warmest socks and stuffed my feet into boots. If the dog was still out there, I was determined to find it.
I walked to my truck and prayed the engine would start. I hadn’t driven the truck in the winter months, and this could be the season I discovered the hard way just how ancient Gary was.
Outside the gate, I noticed three large bags stacked on top of each other. True to his word, West had dropped off the salt. I’d have to carry them to the house when I returned home. I was too focused on the dog now, that somewhere between the dining room and the truck, I’d named Benji.
Relief swept through me as the engine sprang to life. Victory! I glanced at the Castle to see two silhouettes in the window. My roommates really wanted me gone. Maybe they were throwing a party and inviting all their ghost friends. At least I could command them all to leave if I arrived home later to a rager.
As I drove toward Wild Acres, my thoughts turned to Chutney. What could have killed him? There were three other werewolves in the vicinity at the time, and the only possible sighting was of a stray dog and a buck.
