Page 1 of Fawn

Chapter One

Fawn

“I’m going to play in the garden,” I announce.

“Okay, Fawn,” my mama says. She is standing in the kitchen and has just put my birthday cake on to bake. “Remember what I said. No leaving the garden or going into the woods.”

“No, Mama,” I say. “I won’t.”

I skip off into the garden, my new ragdoll, Abigale, clutched in my hand, going all the way to the bottom where our land meets the woods. Here, in the shade of the old shed, I have my secret nest. Well, it is not so secret, given that my mama and papa know about it, but it is also understood that they pretend they do not.

I spread the blanket under the awning and pat my pillows into place.

Maybe when Papa comes home tonight, he will take me to our favorite place near the river, and I can shift and play.

I’m not supposed to shift unless he is here. But I also want to. It’s my fifth birthday. I’m excited about my new ragdoll andthe cake my mama is baking. My body is full of energy and happiness, and I can feel it building inside me.

I just want to run…

The airwhooshesin my ears. When I glance down, I see Abigale lying on the blanket beside my yellow dress, underthings, cardigan, and shoes.

Oops.

Spring scents fill my nose. I spot a butterfly and make a playful leap before chasing after it as it dances on the breeze.

My chase takes me away from my nest and under the shade of the trees. I pause to glance back at the little cottage that is my home. To either side, separated by a low wall, are our neighbors’ homes and plots. I can hear Rosemary singing as she works in her vegetable plot, although I cannot see her from here.

I have never shifted at home before, and a nervous thrill races through me. But I am five today, and I feel both old and brave.

No one will know.

I will go for a short run.

I will not stray far.

This form is so much quicker, and I can run very far. Also, I don’t understand why I must only shift when my papa is there. If I had my way, I would play like this all the time.

Taking Abigale’s arm between my teeth—along with my yellow sundress, just in case I happen upon any pack member and must quickly shift—I dart into the trees.

Mindful that I only have a short time, I race along the forest path all the way to the old water mill, which I love well. Leaping over a fallen log, I bring my race to a stop as I enter the clearing.

Before me is the watermill nested on the side of the river. The forest floor around it is a carpet of bluebells, while the old stone walls are crumbling and covered in ivy. Some time back, they built a new mill closer to the village, leaving this one to fall intodisrepair. The roof has collapsed long since, but the three walls and the big wheel remain mostly intact.

I trot forward, my tail wagging with joy, Abigale’s arm and my sundress still clutched in my teeth. I wish I could make my nest here. It would make the best nest ever, I am sure. As I near the riverbank, I set Abigale and the dress down and pause to lap the cool water.

My ears flick back and forth, alert to any sounds. But it is peaceful, and all I hear are the chirping birds and the buzz of a passing bee.

When I lift my mouth from the water, I start.

On the other side of the river, partially hidden behind the tall reeds, is a young stag.

I blink across at him.

He is likewise staring at me.

Only something is wrong. He is not a natural stag, and as I watch, the air shimmies, and in his place is a regal boy with golden hair and pointed ears peeking out.

Before I can consider running off, there is a familiarwhooshingin my ears. I slip behind the weeping willow and quickly don my dress.

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