Page 36 of Untethering Dark

From being married to Johanna, Suri knew what Astrid was, as well as what other creatures lived in the forest. Astrid liked that she could be open with them about it. It had taken a lot of convincing on Johanna’s part, and undeniable proof, of course, when they were introduced ten years ago, but Suri now knew the supernatural world was a real one. They’d come from Bangalore, the “Silicon Valley” of India, and as an autonomous aerospace engineer by trade, their world had been previously defined by clean lines, neat blueprints, and advanced mathematics.

“I’m afraid the owl pattern isn’t ready, and that my reason for visiting isn’t a happy one. Is Johanna around? There’s a forest situation...”

Suri pulled back, holding her by the shoulders at arm’s length. Their dark brown hair was tied back in a rolled-up silk scarf, holding thick curls away from their face, and pools of the deepest night locked onto her with unwavering focus. “Are you okay?” Their voice was firm but not without gentleness.

“I’m quite angry, but otherwise, yes, I’m fine.”

They blinked, and with a firm nod, released their hold to retreat into the kitchen, no doubt satisfied with the honesty of the answer. After doffing her boots and outerwear in the entryway, Astrid followed, closing the door behind her.

“I just made some chai,” Suri said, shuffling to the stove in fuzzy pink slippers. They wore an oversize sweater and cream lounge pants, a contrast to their dark brown skin. “Help yourself to a cup and make yourself comfortable while I get Johanna. She should be getting out of the shower soon.”

“Thank you.”

The invitation to make oneself at home was a different, but no less appreciated kind of hospitality than what she grew up knowing.

Astrid poured herself a cup of masala chai from the saucepan left to simmer on the stove, using the strainer on the counter nearby to hold back the spices and black tea leaves. Then, she spooned in a generous amount of sugar, just as Suri had once showed her.

Lifting the cup to her face, she inhaled deeply. It was rich and milky with fresh ginger root, cinnamon, and a little fennel and cardamom.

Between sips, she plated a variety of the cookies she brought with her in a tin and left them out on the counter for anyone to grab.

It wasn’t long before Astrid heard the two coming down the stairs from the second floor.

Hair wet and unbrushed, Johanna wore a haggard, resigned expression when she strode into the kitchen. She’d hastily tucked the strands of her hair behind her ears, the ends dampening the shoulders of her T-shirt. It was rare for Astrid to make unexpected visits and rarer still for her to come down the mountain bearing grim tidings. “What happened?”

Astrid set down her cup. There was no point in sugarcoating it. “Poachers killed a wolf.”

With a deep, deflated sigh, Johanna leaned into the counter for support, clutching her forehead.

“Scheiße.” Suri snatched a cookie off the plate Astrid set out and bit a frosted gingerbread star in half. “Let’s sit down.”

They all migrated to the kitchen table, Suri wisely bringing the cookie plate along. One by one, the three of them reached for a sugary treat.

“What do you know?” The grief and anger in Johanna’s voice was palpable, and when she looked up, her eyes watered, on the verge of tears.

“Oh, jaan,” Suri mouthed and scooted their chair closer, placing one comforting hand on their spouse’s arm while rubbing her back with the other.

As cold and hard as Astrid’s heart could be, it ached for the forest ranger. After years of thankless conservation and advocacy work, trying to get people to give a damn and finally making some headway, then this...

It was a crushing blow.

Sniffing, Johanna reached for another cookie, waiting for the details.

Astrid explained what she had found. And what she hadn’t.

Blood, but no body. The remnants of a campfire, but no people. Old, powerful magic, but no clue why it was there.

She left out Gudariks’s role for now. There was already too much for her friend to process.

When she finished describing what she saw, Johanna wordlessly slid over a park map that had been left sitting out on the table and handed Astrid a pencil.

She marked the location.

Fiery determination replacing grief, Johanna rose from her chair with a fierce set to her jaw. “I have to phone this in. We need to get a team up there before weather or animals destroy any evidence they might’ve left.”

“Be careful, Johanna,” Astrid warned. “These aren’t ordinary poachers, if that’s truly what they are at all.”

“What else could they be?” The look Johanna gave her was hard, but she didn’t take it personally. It was the situation, not her words.

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