Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

13: The Crones

The werewolf collapsed and just as Juray was about to finish him off, the sister ran in.

"No!" she screamed. "Don't hurt him!"

"Are you insane!? Get out of here!"

"It's Neillen!"

"Lycanthropy can affect anyone. It's a curse, I can't..."

"You don't understand! I love him! He was near to being mine until you came along! Go away! Leave us be!"

"What the fuck kind of love triangle did I walk in on?"

"I love him, always have. Even after I learned his secret."

Neillen looked up at her. "You... you knew? Did you know I shut meself in here to wait out me change?"

"I knew and I didn't mind. But you chose Hanna. I wanted her to see you. I wanted her to fear you. She wouldn't have stayed. And we could be together."

"You brought her here? That night? 'Twas the reason I had the taste of blood in me mouth come morn."

"I did it for us!"

"She was your sister, Margot! You killed my Hanna!"

"She was to see you turn, naught more. I didn't want her death, you've got to believe me!"

"I don't. And I'll kill you willingly. First time for that, in fact."

"I'm done with this lover's spat." Juray sheathed her silver sword and turned. "But if I see you again, I'll kill you, Neillen. Keep your coin." Juray walked away.

"No! Mercy!"

"You had no mercy for your sister. I have none for you."

Juray reached the cellar door as Margot's bloodcurdling screams were cut off. She was heading back to the village when she felt Neillen behind her. She drew her silver sword and spun around, thinking he was coming after her. But instead, he only crouched several feet away.

"I told you I'd kill you if I saw you again."

"I know. I want you to do it."

This took Juray by surprise. "Suicide by Witcher? That's a first."

"Tried it by my own hand. Couldn't do it. Please, kill me. I tried to protect my Hanna from my curse, but Margot's jealousy made sure I didn't. I'm a monster. And Witchers kill monsters. Do it."

"As you wish."

Neillen didn't move as Juray took his head.

~~~

Arriving back at the swamp orphanage, Johnny looked around. The kids were nowhere in sight and Gran was outside, sweeping off the porch and muttering to herself.

"Good, it's clear," the godling said. "Not a Crone in sight. I need to sing for Gran, that oughta calm her." Johnny walked over to a boulder in the middle of the clearing the huts surrounded and sat in the grass next to it. "Little Johnny softly gazing, fire waning, pale."

Gran stopped sweeping and froze.

"Pop! A spark jumped out and whispered," Gran turned and saw Johnny. "Listen, I've a tale."