Page 84 of A Curse So Vile

“That will take a while, and I wouldn’t count on Orrick bringing you up to speed. He’s gone back to our ancestors.”

Elric’s face fell. “I should have been here.”

“You were where you needed to be.”

“Who’s pack leader? Don’t tell me the Ossorians—”

“I am.”

Elric’s brow lifted.

“Don’t go getting all huffy. It’s just for the time being, until I can pass on the responsibility.” Brenna gave Elric a mischievous look. “Who knows, maybe you’ll be pack leader.”

Elric put up his hands in defense. “Nope—not interested.”

More of the Heartlanders came over.

Anya gestured to them. “Ah, this is my mother, father, and sister: Judith, Brunder, and Eileen—”

Elric cut in with, “And these are Domeric and Kayla,” he pointed to an attractive couple, “her once intended and the hussy that stole him.”

Brenna burst into laughter, because the irony of the situation did not elude her, as once she’d thought Elric would be hers.

Thankfully, a fake curse steered her onto a better course.

"Thank you for your warm welcome," Kayla said, clutching Domeric's hand, "but we may not be staying long. We're eager to travel."

"I've been all around the Dusklands and I'll be happy to share with you the secrets of the land."

Kayla nodded enthusiastically. "I'd like that!"

Elric looked over at Anya’s father. “Brunder is a blacksmith, and will be a welcome addition to the pack, and Judith is a baker, partial to sweeter dishes than we serve in the Dusklands.”

“The children will like that,” Brenna said, hoping the woman felt welcome.

“And Eileen is an expert marksman,” Anya said. Brenna took note of the bow strapped to her back.

The slight girl smiled shyly. “While I’d love to consider myself a huntress, I think your people would laugh at the notion.”

“Nonsense.” Arianna came from behind and slapped the girl on the shoulder. "In fact, the brutes of the Den often bring back bloody messes. Your precision will be appreciated."

"Why don't you bring them in for a meal?"

As Arianna guided the guests inside, she pulled Elric aside. His sadness was a heavy shroud on his soul.

"We'll miss her."

He nodded. "I know. She was a handful, but no one brightened the Den more."

"We'll see her off when you're ready." She looked down at her shoes, anxious about what she was about to say. "I'm sorry for how I treated you."

"Don't be."

"I was terrible."

"But it seemed to have worked out for the both of us."

"It was never you."