Page 4 of Love At First Roar
Callum retrieved the glass bottle, uncorked it, and handed it over. It smelled of willow bark and honey. Miriam dabbed tonic on the girl’s cut palms, then her knee.
“You reckon she’s fae?” Miriam asked.
“Smells like it. Power’s off the charts. Veil’s reacting.” Callum crossed thick arms over his chest, unable to stop staring at the girl’s serene face. Moonlight through the window glazed her hair more silver than blonde.
“Pretty little thing,” Miriam said, tone gentle but probing. “You look rattled.”
“Forest moved on its own. Roots, vines, the whole damn path rearranged to bring her in.”
“That hasn’t happened since the Veil was first woven.” Miriam straightened. “This girl might be more than a simple traveler.”
Callum’s jaw tightened. “Council needs to sort it before word spreads.”
A soft sound pulled his attention. The girl stirred, fingers flexing. Her lashes fluttered, revealing eyes the shade of storm-tossed sea glass. They focused on him, hazy, curious, vulnerable. Something shifted in his chest with a click, like a lock finding its key.
He scowled reflexively. “Stay still. You’re safe.”
“Where—” Her voice cracked; she swallowed. “Where am I?”
“Hollow Oak. Hearth & Hollow Inn.” He kept his tone level. “I’m Callum Cross, town ranger.”
“Callum,” she echoed, tasting the name. Her gaze dropped to his forearm, where tawny hairs hinted at the beast beneath. “You’re a shifter.”
“Lion,” he confirmed. “What’s your name?”
She hesitated, then whispered, “Cora.”
Cora. Lilac and lightning. The name suited her.
Miriam pressed a clay mug into Cora’s hands. “Sip. Willow bark for pain, honey for strength.”
Cora obeyed, though the mug trembled. Callum could smell her exhaustion, the bruise of overtaxed magic. He fought the urge to brush hair from her cheek.
“How’d you cross the Veil?” he asked.
“I—I cast a protection spell. It, um, misfired.” Her cheeks pinked. “I didn’t mean to break anything.”
Callum grunted. “Veil’s cracked, not broken. Still want answers. Council meets at dawn. You’ll come.”
“Not like I’m going anywhere,” she murmured, gaze dropping to her bandaged knee.
A pang of guilt tugged at him, unexpected. He gentled his voice. “Healing first, questions second.”
She looked up, eyes bright with wary gratitude. “Thank you.”
An awkward beat lingered. Miriam, sensing it, clapped her hands. “All right, you two. Ranger, out. Let the girl rest. She can barely keep those peepers open.”
Callum nodded. At the door he paused, glanced back. Cora lay against pillows, mug cupped in both hands, hair spilling in pale waves. Her magic danced around her like distant fireflies, dim but pulsing to some hidden rhythm.
He turned into the hall and nearly collided with Twyla. The fae woman leaned against the railing, smirk already in place.
“You look like a tomcat who smelled fresh cream.”
“Spare me,” Callum growled.
“Council’s assembling. Varric wants your statement.”
“I know my job, Twyla.”
