Page 50 of Tis The Season for Secrets
Will’s eyes widened, and Mason’s expression flattened as his arms dropped to his side.
“No, it never occurred to me.” Will’s stomach sank; cold sweat poured over him.
“She should be fine.” Kevin shrugged off the danger.
“If she keeps to the road – but if she takes the trail through the forest, the wolves might get her scent,” Lyla said, looking a little green. Mason kept her close, as though she was liable to get gobbled up. Will knew she’d had her own run-in with the wolves who protected Yule.
“Let’s not freak him out,” Kevin said calmly. “Not everyone likes to wonder off into the woods.”
Lyla glared at him.
“Shit. I’m going to go and find her.” The chair scraped against the kitchen tiles as Will stood sharply. “Why would she go to the village without telling me? I got up early to cut firewood. I didn’t think—” He couldn’t move fast enough.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Mason called, following Will to the front door, where he pulled on his boots. “You need to be careful!”
“It’s my fault,” Mrs Klaus said, catching him off guard. Will frowned as he spotted the old woman sitting on the stairs. He went to grab his coat, but it was gone from the hook by the door.She must’ve taken it. At least I know she’ll be warm.He took Mason’s.
“Mum, why are you sitting here? You look pale.” Mason knelt in front of her on the stairs.
“I gave Juliet something I shouldn’t have, but I didn’t think it would cause her to go off on her own or upset her,” she fretted, fidgeting with her wedding ring.
“Upset her? What did you give her?” Will demanded, in a tone he’d never used with Mrs Klaus before.
Mason glared at his friend. “You’re upset, but you won’t talk to her that way,” he snapped.
Lyla appeared and got between them. “You’re wasting time. Now isn’t the time to argue!” She turned to Mason. “You didn’t act rationally when it wasmewho ran off.”
Mason backed off reluctantly, sitting by his mum. Will couldn’t blame him for being defensive of her.
Mrs Klaus took her son’s hand as she confessed. “Eloise dropped by this morning.”
Will felt like he’d been sucker-punched.
“She asked me to give her a letter, and I couldn’t refuse.”
“Juliet’s probably gone to find her. It’s what I’d do,” Lyla reasoned.
“Eloise? Why was the Chief Guardian here? Have you got yourself in trouble again, Will? But why would Juliet want to find her?” Mason stared at his fiancée. “Lyla, what have you been up to?”
Everyone ignored him.
“Why wouldn’t she tell me?” Will muttered, pulling on the navy coat. “Can I have the keys to the sleigh?”
Mason looked at him warily, and Will rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I’m planning on racing the damn thing.”
“Not until someone tells me what the hell is going on!”
“Now isn’t the time. Can I have the keys?” Will barked. To his relief, Mason tossed them over.
Pulling open the front door, he heard Lyla and Mrs Klaus filling Mason in on the situation. At least he didn’t have to see his friend’s face when he learned how many laws Will had broken.
Secret’s out now.
Drivingthe sleigh recklessly down the narrow slope, he nearly ended up in a snow bank or two. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before he found Juliet walking along the tree line with her arms wrapped around herself, each step weighing her down. With a sigh of relief, Will pulled over to the side of the road.
“Where are you going?” he called, settling the reindeer and climbing out of the sleigh.
“To put an end to all this!” Juliet grumbled. Her lips were already blue.
