Page 19 of The Demon of the Wood

Joy spread across his features. “Put your cloak on then and let’s go.”

She grabbed her satchel and the cloak, determined to pick up anything she found along the way to sell at the market. Kaemon led her further into the forest than she had been, trekking by the winding stream. She picked up nuts as they walked, Kaemon slowing his pace so she could, picking some up as well, depositing them into her satchel. They stuck to the river for a while, then took an offshoot into a clearing. Soft flute music drifted in the air to them, and Kaemon groaned.

She shifted closer to him on instinct. “What is it?”

“I know who that flute belongs to. Don’t listen to a thing he says. I’d leave if it wasn’t the best fishing spot.”

She followed him. The trees gave way to an open area with a clear pool of water. It was mostly iced over but for a few holes for fishing and a larger spot near a boulder. A satyr sat atop it. She let out a gasp of surprise, her eyes lingering on the beautiful male. He played the flute, but stopped as they came into the clearing. He jumped to the ground, a smile lighting his face.

“Kaemon! And your little human,” the satyr said.

The water splashed, and a head popped above the surface halfway. A nymph with green hair and skin pale in the water, blue against the cold, stared at them. Ears like fish fins poked out of her head and a smattering of glittering scales brushed across her cheeks.

“Hi, Kaemon. Hi, human,” the nymph said, then ducked her mouth back below the water.

“Naida,” Kaemon said, nodding to the nymph. “And Silenus.” The last name was uttered like a curse.

Silenus laughed, coming up to Melina and taking her hands in his. Kaemon stiffened at her side, taking a step closer, but he only observed. “Don’t listen to Kaemon. He is broody and dramatic about everything, as I’m sure you’ve already gathered. You’re a vision, dear. I’m sure your name is as beautiful as you are.”

Melina glanced at Kaemon to see him roll his eyes, and she stifled a giggle. “Melina.”

“See, I knew it would be pretty.”

“Stop flirting with her,” Kaemon ground out.

Silenus’ eyes flicked to Kaemon and back to Melina. “Are you jealous, Kaemon?”

Kaemon scowled at Silenus, but it did not deter him.

“The question is, jealous for her, or me?”

Kaemon huffed and shook his head, striding forward to the water. Silenus winked at Melina and chuckled, drawing out laughter from her as well.

“Come with me, Melina. You and I will become as good of friends as Kaemon and I are, though hopefully better as he is cruel to me.”

Melina followed Silenus to the water, where Naida examined her with curiosity.

“You were crying in the cave that one day,” Naida said.

Melina’s face burned at the memory. “I thought I felt someone watching me.”

“I thought you might die. Niax wanted to eat you.”

Melina startled, and a growl escaped Kaemon.

Naida shrugged. “Well, you are tiny, so she decided not to. But Kaemon wouldn’t have let her anyway. We aren’t supposed to eat humans.”

Melina swallowed. “Do you like to eat humans?” Her voice was small and cracked on the last word.

Naida giggled, bubbles popping on the water as she did. “Oh, not me. I do not eat meat. But Niax is a nixie, and she likes to eat all sorts of beings. You may meet her one day. She is a good friend to have, but a terrible enemy.”

Kaemon came close to her, and she looked up. “You don’t have to worry about the magical beings in the woods. They won’t harm you.”

She believed him. He handed her a line of fishing wire with a hook on the end.

“Want to learn?”

She nodded eagerly, and he showed her how to hook a worm on, the act making her squirm herself, and he laughed. Silenus played the flute and Naida drifted in the stream lazily, eating moss. They dropped the line into the water and watched the little buoy for any sign of it moving. Melina learned quickly that this was a skill that required patience.

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