Theo, in cub form, trotted into the house with his head down and circled the living room once. The intermittent squeaking from his mouth alerted me to what was probably a vole he’d caught. I had no problem with Theo learning to hunt. I didn’t expect a wolf shifter, even such a young one, to be a vegetarian. However, I did not expect to share my living quarters with his victims.
“Theo, whatever you have in your mouth, you return outside and release itawayfrom the house. Then come right back in. This time as a boy, not a cub. You’re due for a bath.”
Theo padded slowly to the door.
Where had I packed the broom? I could see that the way things were going, I’d be better off to keep that by the door.
“Gabe.” I turned back to my sitter who was turning a weird shade of gray even for him. “Sure you’re okay? Do you feel sick?”
he shook his head. “Nah. I need some rest. I’ll take a nap after I clean up.”
“Take care of yourself. See you tomorrow?”
He nodded and sloped out my back door.
By midafternoon, Theo had bathed and eaten his lunch and we’d played hide-and-seek around our property. It was now quiet time for both of us. I unpacked a few more boxes, then worked on taking inventory. Having this much daylight was exhilarating. I wasn’t sleeping much. Gabe had suggested I cover the windows in the bedrooms. I had for Theo, but for me, I like all the light. It made me feel a bit like Superman. I may not be a paranormal myself, but having this much energy was probably as close as I was going to get.
My musings ended when a light knock on my back door had me springing across the floor. I wanted to answer it before Theo heard it. He was not a fan of nap time. Thank the Goddess for Gabe tiring him out.
“Good afternoon.” A shrunken woman swathed in furs stood on my back doorstep. “I’m a peddler. Would you have a moment to see my wares?”
Taylor had told me the village peddlers set off as soon as the snow melted enough that roads were passable. They traveled around small mountains like Sleepy Briar during the long-sunlight summer. There was a strong hospitality tradition in honoring peddlers. Not only did they bring goods and services not normally available, but they also carried something even more valuable in the remote regions: information.
As a stylist, I valued information and considered everything told to me confidential, but up here I was without any contacts. Maybe she’d seen this succubus that Brody was so concerned about.
“My son is asleep, if you don’t mind whispering. Please come in.” I gestured toward the cluttered kitchen table covered with supplies. “Let me clear some space.” I glanced back at the living room. No Theo sprinting down the stairs yet.
This peddler’s dusty and road-weary appearance meant she’d traveled far.
“Have we met before?” my guest asked, taking her seat. “I thought this house was vacant last time I was in town.”
“I’m the new owner. I’m setting up a salon.”
“A saloon?”
“A hair and skin salon.” Great. My guest was hard of hearing.
“Wonderful.” She opened her large black suitcase, which she kept by her side. Keeping her body turned, she rummaged around in it.
She placed a half-dozen vials on the table. Her deep-set eyes sparkled beneath her lids. “Maybe you would be interested in some essential oils?”
Was I interested? My experience with the moving company and liquids had not been good. It was all I could not to leap over and seize the contents of her suitcase. This was no way to negotiate, though.
I produced a handful of my handmade soaps. She sniffed them cautiously.
“They work on paranormals. A satisfied ghoul is my best customer,” I said proudly.
The wizened woman glanced up at me from her hooded eyes. “Isn’t the ghoul the only one in town currently?”
The hair on the back of my neck tingled.
“There are a few others, the deputy among them. How did you hear that? Have you been traveling long?”
She fingered the soap. “The roads are open early this year.”
“Heard anything about a succubus?” I asked.
“What is that?” The woman set the soap down.