Page 20 of The Right to Bear Claws
The question made heat creep up Kaia's neck. Elias had been a constant presence these past few days, but never overwhelming. He appeared at mealtimes with perfectlyreasonable excuses, walked her around town when she mentioned wanting fresh air, and somehow materialized whenever she was struggling with particularly dark thoughts. Always helpful, never pushy, and absolutely devastating to her carefully maintained emotional walls.
"I feel like I'm in trouble," she said quietly.
"The good kind of trouble?"
"The caring-too-much kind of trouble." The admission slipped out and Kaia pressed her fingers to her lips as if she could take the words back.
Miriam's smile was pure maternal satisfaction. "About time you admitted it."
"It's not that simple." Kaia moved away from the window, restless energy driving her to pace the small kitchen. "There are things about me, about what's hunting me, that could put him in danger. The dreams are getting worse, Miriam. Stronger. And the thing in them... it's not just after me anymore. It's interested in everyone I care about."
"All the more reason not to face it alone."
"Or all the more reason to leave before I get someone killed."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Miriam set down her tea and fixed Kaia with the kind of stern look that had probably corralled decades of stubborn inn guests.
"Kaia Monroe, you listen to me. Running away doesn't solve anything except making you miserable and alone. You think that creature hunting you is going to give up just because you're not here anymore? You think it won't find ways to hurt the people you care about even if you're halfway across the country?"
"At least they'd have a chance without me around."
"They'd have a better chance with you here, where the town's protections can help and where people who care about you can watch your back." Miriam's voice gentled. "Sweet girl, you'vebeen running for so long you've forgotten what it feels like to stand and fight."
The kitchen door opened as Elias entered, tool belt slung around his hips and sawdust clinging to his flannel shirt. He took one look at Kaia's face and his expression grew concerned.
"Everything all right?"
"Fine," Kaia said quickly, then caught Miriam's knowing look. "Actually, no. Not fine. But I don't want to talk about it."
Elias studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Want to not talk about it somewhere else? I was thinking about checking on the Halloween decorations around town. Could use a second opinion."
The casual invitation was exactly what she needed—a chance to get out of her own head without feeling pressured to share feelings she wasn't ready to examine. "That sounds nice."
Twenty minutes later, they were strolling down Main Street, where the business owners had gone all out with autumn decorations. Carved pumpkins glowed from every storefront, their faces ranging from traditional triangular grins to elaborate artistic masterpieces. Orange and gold garlands draped between the street lamps, and someone had convinced the local ravens to cooperate in the seasonal display, their sleek forms perched dramatically on fence posts and rooflines.
"It's beautiful," Kaia said, pausing to admire a particularly intricate jack-o'-lantern outside the bookstore. "I've never seen a town that took Halloween so seriously."
"It's an important holiday here," Elias said carefully. "The barriers between worlds are thinner, which means more supernatural activity. But it also means the community comes together to celebrate what makes us different."
"And this year you get to deal with whatever's hunting me on top of the usual festivities."
"Kaia." Elias stopped walking, turning to face her with that steady silver gaze that seemed to see straight through her defenses. "Whatever you're thinking, stop."
"You don't know what I'm thinking."
"I know that look. It's your 'I should disappear for everyone's good' face. You've been wearing it more often lately."
The fact that he'd learned to read her so well in such a short time should have been alarming. Instead, it made something warm and precious settle in her chest. When was the last time someone had paid enough attention to recognize her tells?
"Maybe you'd be safer if I did disappear," she said quietly.
"And maybe I'd rather face whatever's coming with you than wonder if you're safe somewhere else."
Kaia stared at him, searching his face for signs of doubt or obligation, but found only quiet certainty.
"You don't mean that."
"I've never meant anything more." Elias stepped closer, close enough that she could see the silver flecks in his eyes, smell the cedar and mountain air that always seemed to cling to his skin. "Kaia, I know you're scared. I know this situation is overwhelming and dangerous and nothing like what you'd choose for yourself. But running away won't solve anything. It'll just mean you're facing it alone."
