Burned to a Crisp

by K A Miltimore

  Maurice had found his corner and Zelda was curled up in the chair next to her door. The bedroom was dark and she was too tired to even turn on the lights. There was enough light coming in through the window to find her way as it was.

  “She’s safe.” Adelaide ruffled the curtains near the bed and Hedy felt the breeze of her as she came by.

  “Who, Ana? Yes, she is safe, thanks to you. The other two women are safe as well. We never would have found the cabin without your help, Adelaide. You saved them all. Thank you.” Hedy unzipped her boots and stretched out her toes; it seemed years since that morning when she had put them on.

  “Hate, envy, fear. It doesn’t end.” Adelaide whispered, close to Hedy’s ear.

  “I know, Adelaide. But that’s the thing, the thing that you probably didn’t get a chance to learn back when you were alive in this house. All those things don’t end, and there will always be bad people doing bad things and bringing fear down on good people. But there will always be good people, people who bring hope, and love, and who stand up. Those things don’t end either. And I believe they will win.”

  She waited to see if the spirit said anything more but she didn’t and the curtain rustled again.

  “You know what, Adelaide? It is late and I am rambling and maybe I will feel different in the morning. For now though, I’d like to think that love won out. At least for tonight. Tomorrow, who knows whether the danger will return but at least for tonight, we won.”

  Very softly, Adelaide whispered “Sleep well, I stand watch,” leaving Hedy alone in her room. Hedy collapsed into the softness of her bed, too tired to even take off her clothes. She would deal with it all tomorrow.

  ✽✽✽

  Out in the night, in the dark remains of Jeffries’ house, a darker shape watched the sleeping house. The slash in her side still throbbed, and she couldn’t take her mortal form. For now, she could only exist as darkness, with yet darker eyes, pressing into the night, watching the house and waiting for her time to return. There would be time for revenge, time for the reckoning for what had happened. Lyssa was too weakened now, she would have to bid her time and find a dark place to rest and to heal. But she had all the time she needed and there would come a time when the meddling mortal would be alone and she would face Lyssa’s wrath. All in due time. For now, Lyssa would gather her strength and call to her followers. The call of madness’ mistress would be heard and they would converge to her beckoning. Her followers would make their way to this little town and bring destruction, piece by piece. She would see to the undine and her little friend, to the salamander and the oafish gardener, and of course, to the baker herself. The baker she would save for last.

  In the shadows of Hedy’s yard, Ren, the fox was awake and watching, keenly aware that something next door was not right. Something was there in the shadows and it was malevolent. Ren didn’t know what it was or what it meant to do, but he knew it was there and he would be standing watch over the house tonight. He heard crows cawing, making far more noise than they should in the deep of the night, as if they were carrying a message along the wind. Other crows picked up the call and it carried as far away as his fox ears could pick up, which was quite far. He turned back toward the burned house and the darkness that had been there was gone. Only night time shadows filled the space, simple ashes and charred pieces of wood. Still, he would stay there in the garden until dawn and watch; it was what any respectable fox would do, especially one who owed a debt to the human inside. It would be light soon enough and he would pay a visit to the human and the creatures who dwelled there. He had to warn them.

  Look for The Gingerbread Hag Book Two

  IN THE TEETH OF IT

  Coming soon!

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