Moody and the Beast

by Kristen Painter

  The back door let them into the small kitchen. It smelled of coffee and burnt toast. “Kitchen, night light.”

  The light under the stove vent came on. It seemed like a beacon in the dark, but she knew it would be barely noticeable to anyone else.

  A dirty pot sat soaking in the sink, a few beans still glued to the bottom. The curtains, pulled tight over the window above, looked dingy and limp. Everything did after living in Robin’s house.

  And even though Theo’s mother had once cooked in this kitchen, Theo didn’t need to this house to remember those old days. She put a hand on Robin’s chest. “Stay here. Let me wake him and explain. If he sees you dressed in full battle gear, he might have an attack.”

  “Good plan. I’ll be right here.”

  “Thank you.” She tiptoed to the back bedroom and pushed the door open. Her father’s snoring was deep and even. His curtains weren’t as tightly closed as the ones in the kitchen, and a little light spilled through from the street.

  She crept to his bed and sat on the edge. “Dad.” She gave him a little shake. “Wake up. Dad, it’s me, Theo.”

  “Hmm?” He mumbled something else, blinking and rubbing at his eyes. He smiled when he focused on her. “Theodora. Am I dreaming? What are you doing here, girl?”

  “You’re not dreaming, I’m really here.”

  He pushed up on his elbows. “What’s going on? You have that same worried look your mother used to get.”

  “You’re in danger. You have to come with me. I’m here to take you back to Shadowvale.”

  “What?”

  “Please, just trust me. I don’t have time to explain. Gather whatever you can’t part with, put shoes on, and then we’re leaving. We have to.”

  “Vesta?”

  “Yes.”

  He got out of bed, moving with more speed than she’d seen from him in years. He dressed, tucking his nightshirt into his trousers before donning a vest and his jacket. He put on a cap, then found a sack and started adding things to it.

  “There’s a man in the kitchen waiting on us. A friend of mine. You can trust him.” She’d tell him later that man was Robin, but they didn’t have the time right now for all the questions that revelation would bring.

  “If you trust him, I do, too.” Her father took a few last things from his desk drawer and stuffed them in the bag. Then he turned toward the shelving above the bed. “Oh no. I forgot about my books.”

  She grinned. “Where we’re going, you won’t lack for books.”

  “All right.” He reached for the shelf anyway. “Just this one. Your mother gave it to me.” He put it in the bag, slung the bag over his shoulder, and nodded. “Ready.”

  She stood. “We’re probably never coming back here.”

  He slowly smiled. “It won’t be such a hardship if I’m with my girl.”

  She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Stay close now.”

  She led him back out to the kitchen. Robin was standing by the door. “Dad, this is my friend…Rob. Rob, this is my father, Welten.”

  Robin gave him a nod. “Pleasure to meet you, sir. We’re going to travel fast, but if you need a break, just let us know.”

  “I still have some fight left in me, son.” Welten tipped his head, his rheumy eyes narrowing slightly as he stared at Robin.

  “Good to hear. Can I take your bag?”

  Welten hesitated. “I’m all right. If it gets heavy, I’ll let you know.”

  “Yes, sir.” Robin put his hand on the door handle and looked at Theo. “We should go.”

  “Same way back.”

  “Yes.”

  She glanced at her father. “Ready?”

  “Ready.”

  Robin opened the door and checked that all was clear. “Looks good.”

  He went out and down the steps. Theo followed, her father behind. The moon was starting to sink. Dawn wouldn’t be far behind.

  They went through the houses, moving only a little slower than they had on the way in. Theo hoped her father had the energy to make it. If not, maybe Robin could carry him. She couldn’t leave her father behind. Not knowing what Vesta had planned for him.

  The castle loomed in the not-so-far distance.

  Her father picked up his step to match her pace. “What portal are we going through?”

  “A private one.”

  “Which is where?”

  She was a little afraid to tell him. “In a courtyard up ahead.”

  He gave her a stern look. “Fangmore’s the only thing ahead of us.”

  She ignored the look like she’d done so often as a child. “So it is.”

  “Theodora.”

  “Dad, we’ll be fine.” She finally glanced at him. “How do you think we got here?”

  “I shudder to think.” He hitched his bag a little higher on his shoulder. “Speaking of castles, how are things working out for you in my place?”

  “Just fine.”

  “The man treating you all right? Not making improper gestures, is he? Putting his hands where they don’t belong? I know how men can be. Especially the desperate ones.”

  Ahead of them, Robin made a soft, choked sound. A suppressed laugh, most likely.

  Theo did her best not to laugh herself. “Dad, shh. We’ll talk later.”

  Robin’s pace slowed. “You’re right to be worried, Welten. A man like that, on his own for so long…” Robin grimaced and shook his head. “Probably desperate in ways men like us can’t even imagine.”

  “See?” her father said. “Rob knows.”

  Theo brought them to a halt in an alley diagonally across from the bridge that led to the servants’ gate to the castle. “Be quiet, both of you.”

  “Women,” she heard her father mutter.

  To which Robin’s murmured reply was, “Mm-hmm.”

  She rolled her eyes, even though neither of them could see her do it. Then something on the other side of the bridge made her stiffen as if a cold wind had just blown down her spine. “We have a problem.”

  “What?” Robin asked.

  She flattened against the wall but kept her eyes on the servants’ gate. “The guard’s awake.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Robin could see only one logical way through this. “Theo, you need to do that thing you do.”

  She made a face and flicked her gaze at her father before looking back at Robin and answering, “Not a good time.”

  “It’s the best time.” A half second later, he realized Theo’s father must not know she was a changeling. Apparently, when she’d told Robin that she’d kept the ability a secret her entire life, she’d really meant it.

  That didn’t change the situation they were in or their need for a solution. “Theo, our time here could be running out. We need to get back through that portal as quickly as possible.”

  Welten cleared his throat softly. “There are other portals.”

  Theo frowned. “None that will take us close to Shadowvale. The one I used required a long bus ride as the final leg. And that won’t work for Rob. His travel is kind of…restricted.”

  Robin’s gaze was on the soldier guarding the gate. “We’re definitely not getting through the gate without a plan. A really good one.”

  “Why?” She turned her head to see what was going on.

  “Because,” Robin said, “he’s got help staying awake now.”

  The guard was leaning against the wall, digging into a pouch of crilla leaves for a bunch to stick between his cheek and gum. Crilla had been around forever. The herb was known for its invigorating properties. A lot of Overwatch used it to keep themselves alert on night shifts. Some bakers and miners who worked early mornings added crilla powder to their coffee. Robin had often done the same when he’d gone out starstone hunting.

  She sighed. “He’s not about to fall asleep anytime soon.”

  “Nope,” Robin said. “If you have any other ideas on how we get through that gate, I’m listening.”

  She faced him again.
“What about going for your mother?”

  He couldn’t answer for a second. “I would love to check on her. See if she’d go back with us, but I don’t think I have time.” He looked past Theo at the guard. “And that doesn’t solve this problem.”

  “I would really like you to be able to check on your mother. What if you went to her now while I get my father through the portal, then I’ll come back and try to catch up to you? With him safe, we’d have a little more leeway.”

  “But we have so little time. Dawn will be here before you know it. From here, it’ll take at least twenty minutes to get to the highlands. And I have no idea what kind of reception I’ll get when I arrive.”

  “Then wait for me to take my father through, and when I return, I’ll go with you. She might open the door for me. That would at least give you a chance to speak to her.” Her gaze held such sweetness and sincerity he didn’t want to say no. “This could be your last opportunity.”

  He took a breath, hoping to clear the sudden ache in his chest. “I know.”

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll take my dad through, then come back and join you so we can see about your mom.”

  “You have a plan to get past the guard?”

  “Sort of.” She slipped by him to get to her father.

  He hoped her plan, whatever it was, would work. There were a thousand ways it might go wrong. But now that Theo had brought it up, he didn’t want to leave without checking on his mother. Even if just to hear straight from her that she never wanted to see or talk to him again.

  Humans called it closure. He needed that. To no longer wonder what if. To give his heart a chance to heal.

  Theo faced her father. “Dad, I’m about to do something that might shock you, but we’re in a situation where I don’t see any other way out than for me to make use of a very special gift I have.”

  Welten smiled. “You’re going to shift into someone else?”

  Theo’s mouth fell open. “You know?”

  “Girl, your mother and I didn’t have any secrets from each other. Yes, I know. Now, go on and do what you need to do so you can get back and help the lad with his mother.”

  “Well, then.” She snorted. “All right, just go along with whatever happens.”

  Welten nodded. “Will do.”

  Before their eyes, Theo disappeared. A faint buzzing filled the air as a swamp fly darted past them and through the servants’ gate.

  A second later, “Queen Vesta” approached from inside the castle. Her blue caftan billowed out around her. She stood behind the guard for a moment. Robin held his breath until she looked in their direction and gave him a wink. Then she scowled again and snapped her fingers. “Guard.”

  The guard startled, turning sharply and coming to attention. “Your Highness.”

  “There is a leak in the west dungeon wall. See to it immediately. I do not want that dampness seeping up to my quarters.”

  That was good, Robin thought. There was always a leak in the dungeon somewhere.

  “Your Highness, I…I’m assigned to this gate. And I don’t know the first thing about fixing leaky walls.”

  She looked at the entrance, lip curling. “This is the servants’ gate. Why on earth does it even need guarding?” Then she leaned in with a haughtiness that seemed like it had come from years of practice. “And patching a leak simply requires mortar, you fool. Now go. Before I have you thrown to the eels.”

  He blanched, nodded, and darted away. She turned to watch him, then after a few seconds, motioned to Welten.

  Robin patted the man on the back. “Coast looks clear. I’ll see you back at the house.”

  “Thanks for helping my girl, lad.” With a nod, Welten took off. He wasn’t fast, but he made it across the bridge safely.

  Theo, still in Vesta’s form, gave Robin a glance, then she and her father disappeared into the darkness of the castle’s courtyard.

  He wasn’t sure how long it would take her to get the portal open, get them both through, then return. She’d have to give Amelia a little explanation. She couldn’t just drop her father and go.

  Minutes ticked by, and although the sky wasn’t really lightening, Robin felt like he could feel the dawn coming. He scratched at his beard. It was incredibly itchy. He stayed as flat to the wall as he could and continually checked the opposite direction for traffic.

  A few miners passed by on the next street over. Going to work or going home, he couldn’t tell. There were mines in both directions, and it was too dark to see if they were covered in dust.

  “Psst.”

  He turned abruptly. Theo was standing beside him. Relief filled him. “Everything go all right?”

  “Yes. I’m so glad Amelia decided to stay. My father’s going to sit on the bench with her until we get back. But she said we need to hurry.”

  “Then let’s go.” The highlands were going to be a trek, but once they got out of town, it would be safer. Less chance of running into someone who might care.

  “Right behind you.”

  He pointed north. “Highlands are that way, right?”

  She smiled. “You really have been gone a long time. More like…” She adjusted his finger to the east slightly. “That way.”

  “Maybe you should lead.”

  “Come on.” She took off in that direction and kept a good pace.

  Before long, the town was behind them, and they were climbing. The path through the forest was worn, but narrowed the farther they got. Higher still and the trees thinned, giving way to some open spaces of grass and brush.

  Here and there, a few cottages and treehouses appeared. The path widened and was joined by others that branched out toward the homes. Lights burned in some windows, and the smell of beeswax and sage was strong.

  They came to a crossroads with a hand-painted signpost in the center. The path here was wide enough to be called a road. Theo stopped. “Where exactly does your mother live?”

  “Her address is Crane’s Rest.”

  Theo shook her head. “Are you sure that’s right?”

  “Yes. I write that address on an envelope once a week.”

  “Something about that seems…off.” She glanced up at the sign. “We’re close, though.” She tipped her head in the same direction that one of the signs pointed. “That way.”

  They walked side by side, but Theo seemed to be lost in thought. He nudged her lightly with his elbow. “What is it?”

  “Something just doesn’t feel right to me. Crane’s Rest sounds familiar, but I can’t remember why. But then, the highlands isn’t an area I’ve ever spent any time in.”

  “It is kind of the artsy part of Limbo. No one ever really comes up here unless they have a good reason. Or they live here.”

  “Why do you think your mom moved up here?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Bad memories in the old house? She wanted to get out of town? Away from people? Life up here is definitely simpler.”

  The sweet, faint tones of a flute broke the stillness.

  Theo nodded. “And it’s kind of live-and-let-live. I can see the appeal. Although, if that was a trumpet, I’m not sure I’d feel the same way.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, me either. But I guess when you live up here, you have to expect the unexpected.”

  “Oh no.” Theo stopped. “Now I know why Crane’s Rest gave me such a weird feeling.”

  “Why?”

  She pointed up ahead.

  He looked to see what she was gesturing to and found a carved but worn sign that said Crane’s Rest hung between two trees, marking the entrance to a rambling patch of ground that could have passed for a garden at first.

  But another moment told the truth. Crane’s Rest was a cemetery.

  From head to toe, he went numb. He couldn’t do anything but stand there and stare and pray that this wasn’t the reason his mother hadn’t answered any of his letters. A knot formed in his throat.

  “Robin?” Theo asked softly. “Are you okay?”


  His gaze stayed on the graveyard. “I don’t know what I am.”

  She slipped her hand in his.

  He clung to it, to the warmth of it, to the connection that meant he wasn’t alone. A falling star streaked across the sky. He felt empty. And angry. And unconsolably sad. He swallowed at the clog of emotion making it hard to breathe. “I should at least find her marker and say goodbye. Then we can go.”

  “I’ll help you look.”

  He frowned. “Maybe we should just go. It’s awfully dark. We’re not going to be able to read—”

  “Hang on.” Theo disappeared, and a small cluster of lightning bugs took her place.

  Despite his mood, he gave a short laugh. “Thanks. That will help.”

  Together, they entered the cemetery. Theo hovered over the headstones, the wooden placards, and the ground markers while he read the names. He looked for both Gallow and Rosebloom, his mother’s maiden name. Just in case.

  “Who are you looking for?”

  Robin turned. A large man in rough linen overalls and a felt cap stood at the entrance. He had a stick in his hand that might have been for walking or protection. Robin had to be careful with his answer. Saying too much could reveal who he was. And that was trouble they didn’t need. “I’m looking for a distant relative. A woman by the name of Pryn Gallow. Maiden name Rosebloom. Do you know where she’s buried?”

  “Who are you?”

  That question was even trickier to answer. Robin didn’t want to lie, but he certainly couldn’t tell the truth. “I’m from the Gallow side of the family. I don’t live around here anymore. I didn’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to pay my respects. Do you know where her marker is?”

  The man stared at him. Hard. After a second, he shook his head. “No, but I know someone who does.”

  Then he just walked off.

  Robin glanced at the swarm of fireflies near his shoulder. “That was odd.”

  The fireflies seemed to nod as a group.

  “Maybe we should go.”

  The fireflies flitted back to the last stone he’d inspected.

  “I take that to mean you disagree.” He went in that direction. They’d checked another row of markers when the man returned.