Page 8 of The Right to Bear Claws
"Better scared and prepared than blissfully ignorant," Twyla shot back. Then, to Kaia: "You've got shadows clinging to you, dear. Old ones, hungry ones. They followed you here."
"I don't understand." But even as Kaia said it, she knew it wasn't entirely true. The whispers at the edge of her consciousness, the sense of being watched, the dreams that felt too real to be dreams. Part of her had always known she was running from something.
"You will," Twyla said gently. "When you're ready. For now, drink your tea and let me ask you something. How did Hollow Oak feel when you first saw it?"
Kaia considered the question, thinking back to her first glimpse of the town from Elias's arms. "Like coming home," she said quietly. "Which doesn't make sense, because I've never been here before."
"Haven't you?" Twyla's smile was knowing. "Dreams have a way of calling us to where we need to be, especially when we're gifted."
"Gifted?"
"With abilities most folks don't have. Like walking between sleeping and waking, or seeing things that haven't happened yet." Twyla's tone was matter-of-fact, like she was discussing the weather. "Hollow Oak has always been a sanctuary for people like that. People who don't quite fit in the regular world."
The words resonated deep in Kaia's chest, striking something that had been waiting to be acknowledged. She'd always been different, always felt like she was seeing the world through a different lens than everyone else. But she'd never had a name for it before.
"I should probably get her back," Elias said quietly. "It's been a long day."
"Of course." Twyla stood, but her eyes never left Kaia's face. "Take your time with the tea, dear. And remember, doors that are meant to open will open when you're ready to walk through them."
They left the café in silence, Kaia still processing everything she'd seen and heard. The floating tea leaves, the self-stirring spoons, Twyla's casual mention of gifts and abilities. It should have been overwhelming, terrifying even. Instead, she felt a strange sense of relief, like she'd finally found a place where being different wasn't a liability.
"Want to see the bookstore?" Elias asked as they passed a charming storefront with "The Hollow Oak Book Nook" painted in elegant script.
"Sure." Kaia peered through the window, then blinked in surprise. "Are those books... organizing themselves?"
"Lucien likes to keep things tidy," Elias said with the first real smile she'd seen from him all evening. It transformed his entire face, softening the stern lines and making something flutter within her.
"Lucien?"
"Friend of mine. Owns the place. He's probably still here if you want to meet him."
But as they approached the door, it opened before they could knock. The man who emerged was tall and elegant, with shoulder-length dark hair and the kind of angular features thatbelonged in a gothic novel. His green eyes held an otherworldly quality that made Kaia think of deep forests and ancient secrets.
"Elias," he said, his voice carrying a slight accent she couldn't place. "And you must be our mystery guest."
"Kaia Monroe," she said, offering her hand. "Though I'm starting to think 'mystery' might be putting it mildly."
Lucien's smile was sharp and amused. "In Hollow Oak, mystery is just another word for Tuesday. How are you settling in?"
"Still processing, honestly." Kaia gestured toward the bookstore. "Do all the books really organize themselves?"
"Only the well-behaved ones," Lucien said solemnly. "The poetry section is particularly rebellious."
Despite everything, Kaia found herself laughing. There was something absurdly normal about discussing rebellious poetry while standing in a town where magic was apparently as common as morning coffee.
"I should let you both get some rest," Lucien continued, his gaze shifting meaningfully to Elias. "But Kaia, you're welcome in the shop anytime. I have a feeling you might find some interesting reading material."
As they walked away, Kaia glanced back to see Lucien watching them with thoughtful eyes. "Let me guess," she said. "Another friend with mysterious knowledge about my situation?"
"Something like that." Elias's voice was careful, but she caught the underlying tension. "Hollow Oak's a small town. Word travels fast."
They completed the circuit of Main Street, Elias pointing out various shops and businesses. The Silver Fang Tavern, where raucous laughter spilled out into the night. The Hollow Mercantile, its windows full of crystals and herbs andthings Kaia couldn't immediately identify. Moonlit Meadow Restaurant, closed for the evening but still somehow inviting.
With each step, the sense of belonging grew stronger. This place, these people, they felt right in a way she couldn't explain. Like she'd been searching for them without knowing it.
But as they made their way back toward the inn, shadows began lengthening between the buildings. The cheerful warmth of the shops faded behind them, replaced by something darker. More watchful.
"Elias," she said quietly, stopping in the middle of the street.
