Page 42 of The Girl in the Forest

Cossa pointed at my polished nails. “Keep your fingers splayed for five minutes.”

I wouldn’t dare smear her beautiful work, no more than I’d be ungrateful for their friendship.

“Are there men at this celebration?” I asked suspiciously as Leticia helped me into the black dress. I twirled, kept my fingers splayed to make sure the polish was dry. Studied my reflection in the mirror. Back and front. The hem hit mid-thigh. My butt looked too large. The cleavage was… well, cleavage, and I stared a minute too long at the small rune Grayson had inked on the curve of my breast, feeling my pulse beat.

“The men come, but not right away.” The four women made eye contact and giggled, although I read the slight hesitation in Laura’s eyes.

“They come after we’ve warmed up,” Vasha said. “As in alcohol.”

“Don’t worry.” Laura leaned in and whispered, “There’s plenty of food, and you don’t have to dance unless you want to.”

I looked at her. “Do you dance?”

“Sometimes. The music is usually good. We’ll be outside tonight, so it’s better than clubbing.”

“Although we do that too,” Leticia said. “Especially in winter. But why waste the mild weather? It’ll be gone soon enough.”

Her brunette hair swished around her shoulders. She wore red, while Cossa, also brunette, had chosen white with sequins. Vasha’s spiky blond hair was tinted pink to match the dress she wore.

Laura wore black, the way I did. I glanced at her wrist where the scars from the Alpen were, then linked my elbow around hers and winked. She was safe with me. I was safe with her.

When we reached Azul, twilight had turned the town into a magical fairyland. Trees sparkled with strings of lights. The café doors were propped open and a golden glow spilled across the pavement. Everywhere, decorative planters overflowed with the autumn flowers and decorative foliage, while pale moths flitted from white blossoms, gathering nectar and making me think of Aine’s wrinkle.

Life here was more vibrant, filled with laughter and people singing. Grilling meat and brewing coffee to offset the alcohol. At the end of the street, a rock band played for an approving crowd—gorgeously dressed women. I couldn’t get over the sensuality of wolves, or the languid warmth that I embraced with them, living in the moment. Enjoying the pleasure because it might be gone by morning.

Vasha with her pink hair, was the first to dance, weaving through the girls crowding the dance floor. Her arms were in the air, graceful, fluid. She wore dozens of glowing neon bracelets—rainbows on her skin—and I envied her, watching until she moved too far away for me to see.

We made our way past tables laden with food. More delicacies than I’d ever seen in one place. Plates and bowls kept arriving. Salads and fruits, hot and cold meat.

Laura insisted on sampling everything, and since she sampled, I sampled, too. Flavors burst on my tongue… sweat, savory… spicy. My eyes closed in ecstasy over a delicate quiche that melted in my mouth, the mingling cheese and broccoli. I’d never eaten strawberries as honeyed, the juice sliding from my lips to my chin. And the chocolate…

Women stopped to say hello or smile in welcome. To ask about the moonstone runes on my arm that glowed with the Green Man’s magic. It seemed only Grayson’s rune had been broken, but I kept that to myself, smiling, sharing stories. My fright with the river nymph seemed popular. The women smiled and swooned when I described how I had begged Grayson to put some runes on me.

We laughed over how naïve I’d been, thinking runes would make much difference, but everyone agreed the tattoos were pretty at night. And very sensual. That led to talk of other tattoos. Leticia was back, along with Cossa, who handed me a stemmed glass of pale, bubbly liquid.

“Sip,” she warned. “It’s sweet like ambrosia, but the alcohol’s a real kick.”

“Umm.” I relished the flavors bursting on my lips. “What is this?”

“Our version of white liquor. Moonshine.” The music thumped loudly, and Cossa raised her voice. “Don’t drink too much or you’ll end up with mate marks like mine.”

She held out her wrist and giggled. The intricate inked design had been altered several times but remained beautiful, and oddly… erotic.

“You have several partners?” My mind was a little fuddled with the sounds and energy and pleasure around me; I didn’t wonder if the question was too personal.

“Not at the same time.” She laughed hysterically and elbowed Leticia, who was also laughing. “Gods—can you see wolves sharing?”

No, I couldn’t see that, not with Grayson.

Leticia held her wrist so I could see. “It doesn’t mean what it used to, like a lifelong commitment.” She shrugged. “You meet a guy. He takes you to this tattoo artist in Priest River, you come up with a design, and you’re happy. When the day comes and you’re no longer happy, you find another guy and go back and have the design altered.”

I held the glass to my lips. “He doesn’t have to cut it off to end your relationship?”

“Not unless it’s an angry breakup,” Cossa said before her face reddened. Perhaps she remembered what happened with Jo-Rae and Karla.

Leticia covered for her and said, “Just don’t hook up with a guy who’s too possessive.”

I traced a careful finger over Cossa’s design. It was quite beautiful, a rose with several small buds, and a butterfly. “Does this ever… twitch?”

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