Page 30 of Mane Squeeze
“News travels fast,” Dominic muttered.
“Oh, they’ve probably already planned our wedding menu,” Lillith replied dryly. “Twyla’s got a chalkboard of guesses outside the Griddle.”
He grinned despite himself. But then he saw the apothecary’s new assistant, Nico.
Tall. Charming. All dimples and windswept curls, carrying a basket of herbs like he was auditioning for a forest prince calendar.
“Lillith!” Nico called cheerfully, waving. “You look stunning. As always.”
Dominic’s jaw twitched.
She offered a polite smile. “Hey, Nico.”
“You need anything special today? I’ve got some fresh glowroot. Or maybe you’re after something for bonding rituals?” He winked.
Dominic stepped forward.
Lillith, without missing a beat, grabbed his wrist.
“Play nice,” she hissed under her breath.
“Iamplaying,” he growled, voice low enough not to carry. “He’s the one trying to poach what’s not his.”
She flushed but said nothing.
Nico blinked. “Sorry, didn’t catch that?”
Dominic smiled. All teeth. “Oh, just admiring your—uh—basket.”
Before the banter could continue, something charged radiated through the air and Lillith and Dominic both froze.
A ripple of cold swept through the square, unnatural and crawling. A shadow slithered between stalls faster than eyes could track.
Dominic pushed Lillith behind him just as it struck.
The shadow-beast from the woods the other night lunged from beneath the market canopy. It was larger now, its ember eyes brighter, hungrier. It shrieked as it came, smoke trailing like tendrils.
Dominic didn’t hesitate.
He shifted mid-step, his lion roaring to life, massive and golden and fierce. The crowd scattered with screams as he collided with the shadow, sending spell ingredients and baskets flying.
Lillith raised a hand, chanting under her breath, her magic humming like harp strings about to snap.
Dominic slashed at the creature, his claws catching resistance—not flesh, but something worse. Old magic. Deep magic. Fae.
The beast twisted, raked a claw down his flank.
He yelped. Stumbled.
Damn this beast, always getting his claws into him.
Lillith stepped forward, threw a rune-etched charm at its feet. Light flared—and the shadow recoiled, hissing, before vanishing like smoke in the wind with a yelp of its own this time.
Silence fell. The townspeople stared. Nico stood frozen, mouth open.
Lillith moved first rushing to Dominic, who’d half-collapsed near the cobblestones.
“You’re hurtagain?” she barked, breathless.
