Page 49 of Grace of a Wolf 2
"And you are?" I direct this question to the teenager.
"Ron." He gestures at the other two. "That's Jer and Sara."
"I'm Grace," I offer, though nobody asked.
"We know," Sara says, as if I'm an idiot. "You're the Lycan Queen."
I blink.
"Uh—no, I'm… not?" I think. Wait, am I?
No. Not possible.
Right?
Sara blinks.
"Why did he bring me here?" I change the subject, pointing to my kidnapper.
"Owen brings people here when things get dangerous," Jer explains, wiping the back of his hand over his strawberry-covered chin. "You were in danger, so he brought you too."
"The hospital isn't safe," Sara agrees. "The blood witch will get you."
I take a tentative bite of my tanghulu. The sugar shatters between my teeth, sweet and crisp before giving way to the tartness of the strawberry beneath.
The man might have a sour face, but he makes great candy.
"What's a blood witch?"
The children exchange more meaningful glances. Clearly, they know something I don't.
"The hungry kind," Jer mumbles. "The kind that eats you from inside."
Bun makes a chomping sound and giggles, oblivious to the ominous nature of Jer's words. She's already demolished her strawberries and eyes my remaining stick with naked desire.
I hold it out to her almost automatically. "Here."
Owen's head snaps up from his fruit-dipping. "Don't spoil her," he growls, the first words I've heard him speak since waking up. His voice is as rough and scary as I remember.
Too late. Bun's already snatched her treat, cradling it against her chest like treasure.
"Sorry," I apologize, while not feeling sorry at all.
He grunts again. I guess that's his usual method of communication.
"Am I in danger here?"
He stares at me. "I said, we won't hurt you."
Does he really expect me tobelievehim…? Judging by his impassive face, yes. Yes, he does. "Oh."
Bun plops herself in my lap without invitation, sticky fingers clutching her tanghulu in one hand while the other pats my arm in what feels like reassurance. It's clear she no longer thinks I'm going to eat her.
"Why are you all here?" I ask.
"Same as you," Ron says with a shrug. "We're special. Need protection."
"Special how?"
