15. Maya

15

Maya

Juniper practically skipped as she left my cabin. I followed behind her, wondering what the hell she'd done with the large knife. One minute it was in her hands and the next it wasn't.

Then the next, even more curious thought. Did she have more weapons hiding somewhere on her? I had a stark vision of her shifting and a dozen knives falling to the ground. I giggled, and she turned her head back sharply and rolled her eyes.

I'd slept well past dawn. Another large table was being set up in the middle of town, and people were bustling around it. I snagged a few pieces of fruit off it as we passed. "Are Rhyson and the others out hunting for breakfast?" My stomach would not wait that long.

"No, it's just an offering for them to have tonight at dinner. They've eaten, so go ahead and grab what you want. Apparently breakfast here is a grab-and-go kind of affair. The food stays out all morning."

And yet it wasn't covered in insects. Neat trick.

I hurriedly filled my plate with some boiled eggs, fruit, and toast and hurried behind Juniper. "Do you have a plan, or are you just going to snoop around and hope that no one gets suspicious?"

"Actually, since they're so fascinated by you, I was thinking that you might distract them, and then I could snoop without worrying about getting caught," she said gleefully. "Do you see those flowers over there?"

I glanced over to a patch of brilliant pink flowers. "Sure. That's hibiscus."

"Yeah. It is. Hibiscus is a tropical flower. They don't like to get cold, and yet here they are, growing in a seemingly untended part of the land, happy and healthy, despite it dipping well below freezing at night. Do you know what I call that? I call that magic."

"Okay, but that's not a surprise. They've admitted to having magic. This whole mountain has magic. Why are you so surprised to see it?"

"I'm not, but I want to meet their witch. I have some questions, and thus far, they haven't been that forthcoming. Everyone we've met claims to have something magical gifted to them. None of it is theirs naturally. So we find the witch, and then maybe we get some answers so we can all get off this mountain alive."

"Why exactly are we on this mountain to begin with?"

Juniper snorted. "If Rhyson hasn't told you, then I'm certainly not going to. Keep your eyes peeled. Look for someone we haven't met yet or a house that feels weird."

I popped a boiled egg into my mouth. "Sure. That's not vague at all."

We walked around quietly for a few minutes, smiling and waving at people as we passed, like we were out for a morning stroll. I didn't know what Juniper was looking for, but I was keeping an eye out for an old woman with long stringy gray hair, black tattered robes, and a striking red apple in her hand.

"My father used to talk of witches," I said conversationally. "He'd mutter about wild magic and how those that had it didn't know how to use it correctly. Mostly, I just figured it was his way of wanting what he didn't have. Witches are so rare. I've never met one. Have you?"

"Shush. I'm focusing here."

"On?"

"Those shadows. They're moving."

The shadows around a giant oak were moving, but a few seconds later, it became evident why. Sera and another woman stepped out from behind, circling the tree and pointing upward. Catching sight of us, Sera smiled and waved us over. "Juniper, Maya, I'd like you to meet our resident arborist, Lena."

"Arborist?" I echoed as I shook hands with the young blonde. "You're a doctor for the trees?"

"That's exactly right," she laughed. "I keep an eye on them and help when I can. Sadly, this oak may not last more than a couple more years. These suckers growing out of it are signs of ill health, and the leaves it's been dropping show evidence of invasive beetle activity."

"Anything you can do?"

"Not on a tree this old and big, I'm afraid. It's been dropping dead limbs, so in another year or two, we'll start talking about taking it down and using it for construction and firewood. We try not to cut down the healthy trees if we can."

Not a witch, but a scientist. Juniper must have been disappointed.

"Maya, I was hoping I might have a word with you before you leave. In private, if you feel comfortable."

I didn't feel entirely comfortable with that, and I was certain that Juniper was going to object, but she gave me a thumbs-up sign.

Right. The distraction. Was Juniper going to sniff around Sera's home while we were talking? That didn't sit right with me either.

Shoving more food in my mouth, I nodded. Sera guided me over to a shaded bench and sat me down. "I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds, but you should know that we are a sanctuary. Others have noticed that your relationship with your leader is different from everyone else in your group. Are you safe with him?"

Her hands took mine, and warmth radiated from them. I felt instantly peaceful and at ease with her. "I might be safer with him than I've ever been in my entire life," I told her quietly. "We don't like each other very much, but I truly don't think he would ever hurt me or put me in danger. I know monsters. He can be cold, but he's not a monster."

"I believe you are right." Her hands withdrew, and I blinked. What happened? I'd never intended to say those words. Instantly, I narrowed my eyes.

"Did you just put some kind of spell on me?"

"It's in my nature to put people at ease. No magic involved," she assured me. "My sister used to say that the most hardened criminal would walk right up to me and confess all their sins. There are many times when I wish that was something I could harness with magic because, alas, she is wrong. Sometimes, even when I am most desperate for the truth, it's never there."

I had no idea what that meant, but I could see the anguish in her eyes. Had she lost someone? Seen something terrible? "Were you born here? In this community?"

"Yes."

"So you've never been outside this mountain?"

She gave me a secret smile. "Why would you assume that?"

My cheeks flushed. "Sorry. I just thought that if you'd had the opportunity to learn what else was out there, you would take it."

"And not return." She chuckled. "I'll admit that this is a strange life. Werewolves and witches. I left here when I was eighteen and went to university. I studied overseas for eight years before I returned. Life out there is wonderful, but I'm not done here."

"Is it hard to be human and not tell people about magic? Where I'm from, if anyone even thought you suspected we were werewolves, you'd be killed."

Sera shook her head. "Humans aren't ready. Maybe one day they will be, but their fear and their obsessions can drive them to unspeakable acts. I would never dare to tell another about this mountain. These secrets are safe with me."

"What did you mean that you're not done here? What are you doing?"

Instead of answering, she tilted her head. "I believe those are your wolves returning from the hunt. No parting gifts were necessary, but we were pleased with the offering. Come. I have a feeling Rhyson will be unhappy if he doesn't see you safe and secure immediately."

A figure moved on my left. Juniper. "I'll take her."

She had a strange look on her face, and my heart skipped a beat. Had she heard Sera and I talking? I thought she was supposed to be searching for a witch.

What if I wasn't the distraction? What if I was the target all along? Was Juniper testing me to see if I'd spill Rhyson's secrets and claim sanctuary?

Once the seed of doubt was planted, I simply couldn't get rid of it. Here, I thought maybe I was making some headway with the group, maybe even making some friends.

But maybe I was being naive. They followed Rhyson, and as long as he didn't trust me, they wouldn't trust me either.