Page 37 of A Curse So Vile
She was young, younger than most who transition. It wasn’t uncommon for smaller transformations to happen during childhood, teeth that appeared out of nowhere and retreated just as quickly, but Fiona had just received her blood.
A sickening feeling roiled Brenna’s gut.
What if I passed my curse on to Fiona?
She looked down at the child who was staring up at her with warm brown eyes. Since she was cursed, she had avoided younglings entirely, knowing they would never be a part of her life. Elric would have been a fine father, but never to any child belonging to her.
Now, her heart grew with want. She wanted to be there for Fiona during her transition. She wanted to teach her to hunt, and one day, when the time was right, she wanted to be there when she was gifted with her first wolf pup.
“We have to make it to the Den quickly. I’ll secure a horse and cart while you stock up on food.” She grabbed a silver from her satchel and pitched it to Cole. “Make haste, for time is not on our side.”
12
BRENNA
“That’s hardly worth a silver,” Brenna snickered. “The horses are aged and the wagon wheel looks like it will lob off come the night.”
“Then, by all means, leave and find another.” The horseman smiled, revealing several broken teeth.
“Will this do?” Brenna tossed the horseman a blue stone.
He tossed it back. “It ain’t gonna feed me kids.”
“Are you sure? Tollands fetch a high price from the right merchant.”
“The right merchants, who may not come around for two years.”
Brenna sighed, taking out a silver. She hadn’t expected to bring three people with her across the Dusklands, and it was costing more than she had expected. Just eating was going to cost a small fortune with Fiona’s new appetite, and then there was Cole to account for, who was huge.
They’d have to find game along the way.
“Make sure it’s ready by the time I’m done with my morning meal.” She handed the coin to the horseman and left to purchase some jerked meat, which would help keep Fiona’s energy up.
A fight had broken out among the village children, and Brenna watched as a small boy was set upon by a larger one.
Children gathered, cheering as the larger boy’s punches connected with the smaller child. When the slight boy fell, she’d hoped that would be the end of it.
But people are often cruel.
Get up!
The older boy kicked as the smaller shielded his face.
Get up!
Having clearly won, the larger boy was now showing off, calling his opponent names and making sure the circle knew who to respect.
The smaller child whimpered as his blood dripped from his face to the stone street. He was weak, lacking in dominant spirit. If he had been Denithian, he would never mate with the pack and would have to find a woman elsewhere.
“You just stood around and watched that?” Dorthea chastised. “You’re cold-hearted.”
“If I had interfered, it would go worse for him. Never have another fight your battles.”
Dorthea’s face twisted in confusion.
“Now, he has the chance to get stronger and overcome his enemies. The second someone deals with his foes for him, he loses that hope.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that,” Dorthea scoffed. “The shit that comes out of your mouth is unreal.”