Page 103 of Revealing Fate

At one point, late in the night, someone had visited the cabin. He’d heard the knocking. Kal had been engrossed in a text about the elder’s city, Doceo, and was loath to disturb Felíne, who’d fallen asleep with her head on his lap. So, he ignored it. Eventually, whoever it was left.

On the sixth day of finding nothing useful, Kal knew he could no longer ignore present circumstances.

“I need to go see Saul.”

Felíne’s eyes flickered with barely concealed apprehension, but she nodded. “When?”

“Today.”

Kal retreated to his bedroom to wash and dress. He found Felíne on the porch. She leaned against the railing, honey-lichen eyes gazing into the quiet early morning. He stood for a moment, watching her, until movement to the right drew his attention.

“What is that?”

Felíne glanced over. “Grim’s bed.”

“Who’s what?”

The black wolf that stalked Kal’s property lay curled on a pallet of blankets—blankets that looked suspiciously like the ones from the chest near the hearth inside—tucked against the house. Round yellow eyes studied him from the plush folds. They looked guilty.

“Grim. Your wolf.”

“You named him?”

Felíne gave him a look. “Of course, I named him. Why didn’t you?”

“Why would I?”

She paused. “You named me.”

Kal startled, unexpected heat spreading through his chest. Kitty. “I suppose I did.” He looked back at… “Grim?”

Color blossomed in Felíne’s cheeks. “Exposure therapy,” she explained. “The grim frightens me. I figured attaching its name to something that doesn’t would help me get over the fear.”

“You will never have to face another grimalkin, Kitty.” If Kal had his way, she’d never face another danger alone. Not ever.

She offered him a weak smile and changed the subject. “How long will you be gone?”

“I’ll be back by nightfall,” Kal said. He planned to visit Saul directly and avoid the rest of the Conclave. He wasn’t worried about Beulah, but other members would be better confronted once their unspoken leader was fully on Kal’s side.

Just then, Adder strode into the clearing, drawing a curious look from Felíne. Kal leaned over her with a grin. “You thought I’d leave you without capable company?”

She glowered. “You mean, did I think you’d trust me to stay put without someone babysitting me?”

“Kitty, baby, you think too little of me.”

She scoffed as Adder approached, and Kal laughed.

“Morning, mate,” Adder greeted. “Felíne, love.”

Felíne tossed Kal a saccharine smile and looped her arm through Adder’s. “On second thought,” she said over her shoulder, dragging her unsuspecting accessory toward the door, “thank you. I much prefer Devereux’s company.”

Kal caught her about the waist, pulling her away from Adder and flush against his body. He nosed her temple. “Are you trying to provoke me, Kitty?”

She shivered, and Kal inhaled against her hair. “No,” she breathed.

“Is that what I have to do to make you agreeable? Call you love?” He blew softly over the shell of her ear. “Felíne, love?”

Felíne pushed away from him with some difficulty and cleared her throat. She palmed the gold chain around her neck, zipping the coin back and forth the way she did when anxious or overly distracted.