Page 13 of Enspelled

Frowning, I trail him up the porch stairs, which lead to a cozy two-story wooden house with a wraparound porch nestled on the edge of town. It used to feel like a sanctuary from the Calla sisters’ cruelty. Now it’s just another reminder that I’m alone in the world.

Maybe I should leave Madden Grove, because staying here without Aunt Mel doesn’t feel right. Where I’ll go, I have no clue, but I can’t stay here. Not alone.

“But why? Layla is going to be on a warpath when she discovers the most valuable thing in her house is missing.”

Keane pauses at the front door and turns to face me. His expression is so determined that I know I’m going to be facing an uphill battle to convince him of anything. “They’ve just taken the thing that gives her strength. If now isn’t the best time to go at her, I don’t know what is.”

“But it might not have been Layla who killed your pack. It might’ve been Diana,” I say, trying to ignore the coppery tang in my mouth and failing miserably.

“I need to be sure, so we beat the truth out of Layla.”

“Or?”

Please let there be an or.

“You get the souls inside you to tell us who was responsible.” With that, he pushes open the door and steps inside.

“Why are there only ever two choices?” I mutter as I follow him.

I stop in the entryway, my eyes taking in the polished hardwood floors, the staircase that leads up to the bedrooms, and the three doors. Two of which lead to the living room and bathroom on my right, and on my left, the kitchen.

The faded scent of floral perfume hangs in the air.

Aunt Mel. She loved that perfume so much.

My eyes burn with the promise of tears.

I never even got a chance to say goodbye.

“Briar?”

I jerk my head toward the doorway leading to the kitchen where Keane stands, dressed as he always is—in black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a frown creasing his brow.

“Yeah?”

His eyes search my face, and I get the sense he doesn’t want to tell me something.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He turns to re-enter the kitchen.

After closing the door behind me, I trail him. “No, there is something. Isn’t there?” I think back over the last few hours. “I didn’t growl again, did I?”

I don’t even know I’m doing it, but I must if Keane said I did, and even Jonas noticed it too back at the cave. And I snarled at Diana Calla. That can’t be good.

He peers over his shoulder at me, his expression blank. “You were keening.”

I stare at him. “I waswhat?”

He shifts his gaze to the wall on my right, to the picture of my parents that I know hangs there. “It’s what grieving wolves do.”

I don’t say a word. This feels like something I should ask him to explain, but I have a feeling I’d regret it if I did.

When he refocuses on me, his expression is as unreadable as ever. But this time, I’m grateful for it. I don’t want to know what he’s thinking of my slow descent into… whatever it is that’s happening to me.

“Pups, in particular,” he says.

This is insane.

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