Page 81 of A Curse So Vile

“I never thought I’d see the day that the Denithians and Ossorians set aside their differences.”

Brenna chuckled. “I hadn’t either, but it’s about time.”

“When will you leave?”

“Upon waking.”

“I have two couples in mind I think would represent us well at the Den. One is an Ossorian couple, no children. The other is an Ossorian male that’s fallen for the help. She has two children, human-born, that will be traveling with you.”

“They’re welcome, and I’ll make sure they are treated well. And if I may ask a question…”

“Ask away.”

“How did you know where I was?”

“The blood witch put a binding spell on you, dulling your senses, until now, so you couldn’t sense all the times, over the many years we’d been tracking you.”

“You’d have had me if it weren’t for a swamp witch. It was she who put Cole in my path, and without him, I’d be lost.”

“Witches are known to be opportunistic. Perhaps she saw no good in the Ossorians rising.”

Brenna frowned, misliking the ambiguity of such creatures. “I guess we’ll never know.”

“Is there anything else, my liege?”

“Just…don’t disappoint me.”

“I could say the same.”

Epilogue

COLE

Cole looked on at his sister as she ran through the fields with her Denithian and human friends. Without warning, a foot extended, her toes curling as a claw jutting out, causing her to stumble, which made the others laugh.

Thankfully, those events were happening less frequently as she gained control of her nature.

Eddard, an Ossorian that accompanied them to the Den, approached with a worried expression on his face.

“I need to speak with Brenna.” His enormous teeth always set Cole on edge, but he could hardly help them.

“There are others that would lend you their ear.”

His nostrils flared outward in frustration. “It has to be Brenna.”

“Very well. I’m about to meet up with her for second meal. You’re welcome to join.”

When Cole first arrived some months ago, he’d been taken aback by how welcoming Brenna’s people were. Once it was decided they were joining the Den, her kin acted like they’d known them for years, bringing them baskets of food, bedding, and even poking a few jokes.

For the most part, they treated Brenna the same as they treated their other kin. They weren’t a group that acted worshipful, and while power and strength might gain you respect, they won’t get you reverence.

It took a while for him to get over the communal bathing, especially because the last thing he wanted was any of the Denithians eyeing his sister, but she was still young, and no one has cast her a creepy eye.

They passed Marium, Brenna’s mother, on the way inside, and she dashed to hug him.

“Sooner or later, you’ll have to give me some littles,” she whispered into his ear before giving him a telling wink.

“If it were up to Brenna, it would be later.”