Page 29 of In the Shadows

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salvation. “Minnie,” she said, “take Charles home.”

Minnie and Charles still huddled on the ground, holding on

to each other. Charles’s breathing was fast, his eyes unnaturally

bright. Minnie looked up at Cora, anguish written on her features.

“I didn’t know,” she whispered. “I just wanted . . . I just wanted to

have another story with you.”

“Go home, Minnie! Now!”

Her sister’s shoulders folded in on themselves, no trace of wild

energy left. For a moment Cora leaned forward, wanting to take

Minnie into her arms, to whisper sweet stories in her ear, to share

warm, safe secrets in a space all their own.

But no. No stories. Minnie’s stories had done enough for one

night, and a wave of resentment washed away Cora’s tender impulses.

Thomas helped Charles up. “Go slowly,” he said. He frowned

as he watched the two of them walk back down the hill, arms

around each other as though both were on the verge of falling.

“You should go with them,” Cora said. She brushed off the

front of her skirts and set her jaw determinedly, betrayed only by

the slightest trembling.

Thomas took off his jacket and put it around her; his shirt

was striped, accentuating the long, lean lines of his arms and

slope of his shoulders. Earlier today Cora had thought him quite

handsome. Now they all looked like ghostly photographs of

themselves — washed out and indistinct.

“I’m not leaving you to this business alone,” Thomas said. “We

all decided to come. I’ll see it through.” They set off down the hill

and onto the lane together. Arthur followed, a silent constant.

“We were taking a walk for my brother’s health,” Thomas said

as they neared a tiny cottage set off from the road, the trees around

slowly reclaiming the yard for the forest. “You and Minnie and


Tags: Kiersten White, Jim Di Bartolo Fantasy