Page 33 of Vargan

The door flies open, drawing every eye to me. The few customers present shrink back in their seats. Willie's gaze findsmine first, relief and something else—doubt?—warring in his expression.

Victor leans in, whispering something to the boy before standing slowly. He approaches me shoulders back and head held high, stopping just out of arm's reach.

"Is it true?" Willie asks from the booth, his young voice cracking. "Did you kill a man?"

The question hits harder than a physical blow. I glance at Savvy, who looks stricken, then at Royce, whose smile confirms my suspicion—they planned this, timed it perfectly.

I look back to Willie, seeing the trust I'd built crumbling in his eyes. I could lie, but what would be the point? The truth will find him eventually.

I nod once, the movement costing me more than I can express. "Yes."

"It's not what you think," Savvy calls from her spot, still caged in by Royce's presence.

I hold up a hand, signaling for her to stop. "It's the truth, Savvy."

"See?" Victor says, his voice sickeningly smooth. "I told you what he was. A killer. A monster. And you let him into your home. Near your little brother."

"Shut up," Savvy hisses, trying to push past Royce.

He blocks her path, grinning. "Now, now, Savvy. Is that any way to talk to the mayor? Victor's just looking out for the town's safety."

"By harassing a fifteen-year-old?" I growl, taking a step forward.

"Ah, ah," Victor warns, raising a cell phone. "One more step, and I call the sheriff. He's just around the corner, as it happens. Lucky coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

Not luck. Planning. They set this up perfectly—waiting until Willie was present, until they had Savvy isolated, until they could corner me in public.

"What do you want?" I ask, though I already know.

Victor smiles, all teeth and no warmth. "Just doing my civic duty, reporting a dangerous fugitive. The reward money is just a bonus."

"Let them go," I say, nodding toward Savvy and Willie. "This is between us."

"Oh, but it's not," Victor replies. "See, Ms. Greene here has been harboring a fugitive. That's a federal offense. And since she's Willie's guardian, well... that could complicate his living situation."

The implication is clear—if Savvy gets in trouble, Willie could be taken away. Put in foster care. My fists clench at my sides, rage building.

"Victor," Savvy's voice is steady despite the fear I can smell on her. "You've made your point. Now leave Willie out of this."

Victor ignores her, turning to Royce. "Why don't you explain to our orc friend here what happens next?"

Royce steps away from Savvy, approaching me with exaggerated confidence. Up close, I can see the fear he's trying to hide, smell the anxiety coming off him in waves. But he's putting on a show for Victor, for the diner patrons watching wide-eyed from their tables.

"Here's how it's gonna go, freak," Royce says, jabbing a finger at my chest. "You're going to jail. The diner's going to Victor. And once Savvy sees what a mistake she made choosing a monster over me, maybe I'll take her back. If she begs prettily enough."

The beast surges, nearly breaking free. I clamp down on it, hard, fingers digging into my palms until I feel blood.

"Don't touch him, Royce," Savvy warns, moving closer. "He'll break you in half."

"Will he?" Royce smirks, emboldened by her concern. "I don't think so. Not with the sheriff about to walk through that door. Not with your brother watching. He's smarter than that."

Royce is right, and he knows it. I won't risk Savvy or Willie, not even to wipe that smug smile off his face. So when Royce shoves my chest, hard enough to rock me back a step, I do nothing.

"What's wrong, orc? Lost your nerve?" Another shove. "Or maybe you only kill when your victim can't fight back?"

My vision narrows, the beast howling for release. I take a deep breath, holding it in check. Just a few more minutes, and they'll have what they want—me in cuffs, them free to pressure Savvy into selling without my interference.

"Leave him alone!" Willie's voice cuts through the tension. He's stood up from the booth, fists clenched at his sides. "He's not a monster, he's my friend!"

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