Page 71 of Monsters in Love

“Are you frightened?” he asks.

“Not really. I know, intellectually, that this is just a hedge on my property and it’s unlikely that anything will happen to me. Or at least it was unlikely, until I said that out loud and jinxed myself. But it’s a little spooky, out here in the dark, all hemmed in. Sticking close to you makes me feel safer.”

In the moonlight, I can see the surprise dance across his face. “Really?”

“Is that so strange? You’re big and strong and technically my protector. I feel safe with

you.”

“I am humbled and honored. And I must say…I am sorry that I was not more welcoming when you arrived. I was out of practice interacting with humans, and I lacked patience with you.”

I wave that off. “It’s fine. I sometimes have that effect on people when we first meet. I have a big personality and some people need to adjust to it. But everyone comes around eventually. I’m irresistible.” I grin at him, and for the first time, he really grins back. His teeth are even and white, glinting in the moonlight. Even his fangs look nice in this lighting.

“You know, that might be true,” he mumbles, then starts cutting at the hedge again before I can ask what that means.

It’s hard work getting through the maze, and I’m not really doing anything other than struggling not to fall down. But despite the effort and the dull tool, Luc handles it admirably. He’s as strong as about ten human men, muscles bulging, and doesn’t seem to be sweating or out of breath. I’ve never been into brute force before, but there’s something about watching him hack and slash that I enjoy. It’s kind of hot.

Three hours—and many wrong turns—later, we finally make it to the center of the maze. It’s a circular clearing with a statue in the center. Weirdly, this area is not overgrown at all. The circle is perfectly preserved, covered with soft grass that looks like it was just mowed. The statue in the center is polished marble, as pristine as the day it was carved. There’s no hint of moss, lichen, or water damage anywhere on it.

“This is bizarre,” I say.

Luc sets down the machete and stretches, while I ogle him discreetly. “What do you mean?”

“Why isn’t this as messed up as the rest of the maze? There’s not a blade of grass out of place. It’s like someone came in here earlier today and tidied up.”

He looks around, taking in the strange scene. “You’re right. That is odd.”

“More than just odd. Unnatural.”

I walk over to the statue and squat down to read the inscription on its plinth. There are only two words. “Alice Winslow. Holy shit, is this her grave?”

“No,” Luc says. “I’m certain of that. Mary gave her a witch’s burial. She burned Alice on a pyre and scattered her ashes over the bluff.”

“Then what is this? A creepy enspelled memorial?”

He shakes his head and shrugs. “I don’t know. But now that you mention it…”

I stand and turn to him. “What?”

“There’s an old map of the manor and grounds in one of the books. I never paid much attention to it, because I’m the last person who needs that information. I know where everything is. None of the Winslows I have known have ever mentioned this statue as being important. But this place was marked on the map with an X, as if it might have some significance. I don’t know what, though.”

I tilt an eyebrow at him. “What, like a treasure map?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, like X marks the spot? Yarr mateys, thar be treasure here?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says.

I shake my head. “How can someone your age be so out of touch? Especially when you dress like a pirate?”

“Pardon?” He looks baffled.

“Never mind,” I mutter. “It’s not important.”

I step back a few paces and reexamine the scene in front of me. Perfectly preserved circle in the middle of an overgrown maze. A statue of Alice untouched by time. An old map that marks this spot. Could it be?

“Luc, are there any shovels in that garden shed?”

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