Page 74 of Untethering Dark

Grinning, Astrid replied with a saucy shrug.

“Ach, fine.” Johanna puffed out a breath, reaching to slather a bit of jam on bread. “You two are ridiculous.”

“So, you’re in?”

Glaring at the ceiling, she grumbled, “Ja. I don’t really have a choice, now, do I?”

Chapter Thirty-Two

It was Perchtentag.

Gudariks had no extant feast days to his name, so this one was his favorite.

It was one of the few nights a year when even nonbelievers honored the old traditions. Much like Krampusnacht, which took place a month earlier, the humans dressed as terrible beasts and donned hideous horned masks, seeking to “out-ugly” evil spirits and chase away winter’s cold. They drank and caroused, feasted and set off fireworks, and led a noisy procession called der Perchtenlauf that cut through the main thoroughfare of Baden-Gottsdorf and into the forest.

It was the one night a year when Gudariks stalked but did not devour. Watched but lived vicariously in the humans’ revelry.

Not eating the Perchten seemed like a suitable gift to Perchta on her festival day. That, mixed with an unhealthy serving of foolish sentimentality for the days when he, the forest, and humans lived in harmony. For this night, and this night alone, Gudariks allowed himself to observe the human procession from the shadows, and pretend they still lived in awe of der Schwarzwald, of the harsh winter season, and of the creatures that ruled in the darkest parts of night.

If there was ever a safer, more opportune time to meet Astrid’s human friends and formulate a plan, it was tonight. Not that he’d hurt those dearest to her, but when Astrid spoke to him about meeting them, she mentioned that the forest ranger needed assurances. He wouldn’t need to worry about her spouse—she said Suri was a two on the Enneagram scale, whatever that was, and only needed emotional affirmation. Courting Astridgave him plenty of opportunity to practice, and he was pretty sure he could apply it platonically.

Couched in the shadows of the setting sun, tucked away in the trees, Gudariks listened to the nearby town’s church bells ring. And waited. The Perchtenlauf procession would begin there, and he didn’t have to strain to hear the rise of pounding drums, jingling bells, and a jovial crowd.

Rangers from the national park service were already camped out along the procession’s path. They were quieter than most, and yet he’d both seen and heard them when they entered the forest. He was careful to stay out of sight. Even though they forgot the old ways, and could probably do with a reminder, those who took care of the forest had his respect. He didn’t wish to scare them, especially after what they’d seen with the poached wolves.

As the sun sank below the horizon, the Perchtenlauf snaked its way into the forest, along the main trail. In the old days, the way was lit by torches, then tapers. Today, the humans lit the way with light from the contraptions they called “die Handys” or “phones.”

From behind he heard approaching footsteps. By scent alone, he could pick out Astrid and her mother from kilometers away. Had known for quite some time that they were behind him, but with how intentionally heavy-footed they walked, he recognized the courtesy to not sneak up on him.

“Guten Abend,” Perchta called, and with a turn of his head, he saw her gliding toward him, Astrid not far behind.

He inclined his head. “Guten Abend. Happy Perchtentag.”

“Danke, Wald Vater. I wish we were getting better acquainted under more celebratory circumstances, but the humans insist upon making things interesting.”

“We’ve no shortage of time for happier circumstances,” he replied. “But I appreciate your help. It’s not every day the dead claw their way back from the Otherworld.”

“Indeed not.”

His gaze fell upon Astrid, and every emotional fiber in him softened. “Liebling.”

Two long, platinum braids fell over her shoulders and draped down, just past the curve of her chest. Even though she was clad in bulky winter gear, he thought of the night before and wanted her.

Perchta cleared her throat and skirted away. “I’ll give you two a moment.”

Right. No clothes. Nothing to hide his feelings for the witch.

“Sorry,” he said to his Hexe. “To say you’ve made an impression on me would be an understatement.”

The grin on Astrid’s face was positively wicked. “I’m not complaining. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen her scandalized.” She took his hand and, leaning up on tiptoes, pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw, the highest piece of him that she could reach.

He caught one of her braids in his long, tapered fingers, smooth as corn silk. “Come back to my den with me tonight?”

“I need to be up early to go to Mutter’s, but yes. Just don’t keep me up too late. Training and all.”

“Quick it is then. I’ll not stand in the way of your goals.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, and oh, how he wanted to wrap his own around it.

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