“Hello?”
“Hey, Anora,” Ethan says. “I thought you might want some company tonight so you don’t get freaked out.”
I’m glad he can’t see the big smile that breaks out on my face. “I would very much like that.”
Chapter Eleven
“It’s good to be home,” I say, patting the couch cushion next to me. Hunter jumps up, doing his best impression of a lap dog. “Ugh,” I huff, leaning back so I don’t get completely squished by my heavy dog. Romeo is bouncing around the living room, happy to be out of his little carrier.
I’ve been back in Indiana for several hours now, and had lunch with Mom and Dad so I could show them all the photos I took. I just got back to my little house, and I miss the old Victorian and the quaint town of Thorne Hill already.
“I missed you,” I assure Hunter. “I definitely sleep better knowing you’re with me.”
His tail thumps against the couch and he turns his head up to lick my chin. It’s been a long day already, and I didn’t get much sleep last night. Ethan and I talked for two hours, and then I couldn’t fall asleep until the sun was rising. I got up barely two hours later and can never sleep on planes. My plan is to take a quick nap, go for a short, three-mile run, and then go to the barn to see Mystery. I’ll fit unpacking in there eventually. Though I am eager to go through the occult books I brought back with me. I couldn’t bring them all, but I left Thorne Hill with a sense of see you later instead of a goodbye.
Not trusting Romeo to be loose in the house while I’m napping, I scoop him up and cradle him against my chest.
“I missed you too, little guy,” I tell him with a kiss on the top of his head. My room is more or less ferret-proofed, so I let him stay out of his cage while I take a nap. I sleep for longer than I expected to and am all groggy when I get up.
It’s sunny out today, but the temp has dropped significantly. Still yawning, I get dressed in breeches and a t-shirt with a fleece hoodie overtop. I open a can of rabbit meat and both Hunter and Romeo come running. I plop a spoonful in Romeo’s bowl and close up his cage, and then give the rest to Hunter. I give him an extra hug goodbye and head to the barn.
“Hey, Anora!” Leslie looks up from Rose, the bay Standardbred she’s grooming. “How was your weekend getaway?”
“Hah, I don’t think I can really call it that. It was more of a business trip I guess?” I shrug. “But it was nice, actually.”
“Your aunt died?”
“My great-aunt, and yeah. I didn’t know her well or anything though.”
Leslie nods. “I’m about to take Rose out on the trails. Want to join us?”
I blink and see that dog-creature in the woods. Swallowing hard, I force a smile. If Leslie is going out, I’d rather go with her than have her be alone. I should have brought that dagger Aunt Estelle gave me. It’s not like I’m a weapons expert and know how to wield it, but having something to defend myself with in case I fall again would be reassuring.
“Yeah. I’m going to go grab Mystery and I’ll meet you outside.”
Two people are riding in the outdoor arena, and another horse is being worked in the round pen. I wave as I walk to the pasture, watching to see if Bob is going to slink out of the shadows but he’s nowhere to be seen today.
Mystery looks up when he hears the gate opening and nickers as he trots over to me. I turn, letting him rub his head against me before slipping on his halter. He has grass stains on his white fur but it’s too chilly for a bath today. I get him brushed and tacked up, and make sure to wear my helmet.
“How have things been around here?” I ask Leslie as we start out toward the trail. I run my hand over Mystery’s neck, trusting him to let me know if anything weird is going on. “No one has seen any other coyotes?”
“Not seen.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” I turn and look at her.
“I heard howling last night. Sounded like they were surrounding the barn. Freaked me the fuck out.”
My heart skips a beat. They? “There was more than one?”
“It sounded like it, for sure. I was the last one here and had just closed up the barn for the night, thank god. It wouldn’t have scared me so much if the horses didn’t react the way they did.”
“How did they react?” I ask slowly and look out at the looming woods. We should turn back now. It might not be safe out there, but if there’s more than one dog-creature and they’re coming up to the barn…it’s not safe either.