Page 19 of Oath of Revenge

“The Growler.”

Scarlet shook her head, which just made the headache from the weight of her antlers worse. “Were you expecting him?”

Growlers had been banned from this part of the forest, and the magical protections around the cottage’s clearing typically kept out any who tried to get in. As Growlers came closer to the cottage, the magic attacked them with gut-wrenching pain.

Normally. If Grandma had disabled the protections because she’d been expecting him, it would explain how he’d been able to get inside in such a weak state.

Olive stared at the Growler laying under the blankets near the hearth and shrugged. “He needs the glocken berry, according to the dream, but I was worried I wouldn’t make it back in time.”

Scarlet shook her head, pushing down her need to know all the details. The more she asked, the more confused she’d be. All she could do was wait for Olive to explain everything on her own. Her grandma talked in cryptic riddles when she was in full-on Druid mode.

Olive quickly washed her hands and strode to the shifter while Scarlet put the cleaning supplies back where they belonged.

As the sun had begun to set, his features had turned more human. His mouth had shortened to be less of a muzzle, although he still had the nose of a wolf and a soft layer of short gray and black fur all over.

His claws had receded into calloused hands. The erect ears of a wolf were visible above a full mane of gray and black hair that fell to his jawline. The even rise and fall of his chest revealed a white patch of fur and bandages though a blanket covered his lower half.

Olive knelt beside him, and Scarlet’s gut twisted. She knew Olive would work to heal him, but the anxiety and worry over his continued sleep ate at her. It was why she hadn’t been able to sit still all day.

Scarlet explained how she’d found him and what she did as Olive unwrapped his injuries.

“And he hasn’t woken up since after you moved him this morning?”

Scarlet shifted on her feet and nodded, her hands behind her in a tight clasp, feet spread slightly in parade rest. “Correct. And his fever keeps climbing, I think. At least, he feels hotter tonight than he did earlier.”

Olive hummed as she thought, then said, “The glocken berry... that’s why I had to find it.”

Scarlet frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Olive waved behind her. “Make some tea, child. We need to make a healing potion and mix the glocken berry in with it.”

Scarlet strode to the kitchen and worked while Olive continued muttering.

“Don’t make me regret this, Growler. You’re her only hope.”

Scarlet frowned and picked up the basket near the door, wondering what her grandmother was talking about. How could a Growler give hope to anyone? Their presence normally spelled painful death for their prey.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and she shivered at memories of running from the monsters. Being chased through the forest under the threat of death was among her least favorite activities. When she’d first gone with her dad on Ranger missions, they’d raced time after time through the woods to escape the Growlers.

Then just last summer, she’d escorted Eirwyn here, running from the pack of Growlers the entire way through the forest. Their howls had haunted her once more, bringing back nightmares she’d long suppressed.

As a kid, she’d grown tired of running and had learned to fight. She refused to be a weak damsel in distress. She could handle herself now.

But that underlying childhood fear had come back since she’d been twice cursed. It was the fucking scared little rabbit within her. Her jaw clenched as she reached for the now cleaned mortar and pestle.

Olive joined her and took over in the kitchen, so Scarlet stepped back, watching to see how she could help, waiting to see if Olive would explain more.

“Here, grind this please.” Olive handed her the bundle of purple flowers, roots dangling, then worked quietly to make the tea.

“The glocken berry, I presume?” Scarlet asked, crushing the flowers into the mortar and picking up the pestle.

Olive hummed. “Yes, child. I know how you feel about Growlers, but I’m glad you didn’t kill him outright. This is good, very good.”

Unease shot through her spine as she ground the plant, and she glanced at where he lay on the floor. “How is this good? He’s a monster, a Growler, and yet you don’t sound surprised that he’s here or that I spared him.”

Olive shrugged, pouring three mugs of tea and sitting at the table. “I’m not. It was actually heartwarming to see you jump up and protect him when I came in. I made the right choice, I think, but only time will tell.”

Scarlet frowned, more confused at the cryptic words than before. She shifted on the balls of her feet and grunted with the flex of her muscles. If the plant was a fine powder, it’d be a more effective potion. Hope for him to be healed warred with her confusion, and she latched onto the one thing she did understand.

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