The Past Beasts of Birtou (Maidenkin #1)

Chapter one: The Beasts of Birtou's Keep

The Past Beast of Birtou

Chapter one: The Beasts of Birtou's Keep

It had already been a long night when a knock echoed through Birtou's Keep. Wren paused as the candles on the windowsill flickered at the sudden cold gust. She raised herself from the chair, walking past the warm fireplace and into the long hallway.

The hallway was dim, lit only by a torch at the end. Wren walked toward the light with strong steps, her back held high as her nightgown swooped behind her. All the beasts were fast asleep, if not they would have warned her someone was nearing the keep's grounds.

Wren waited for a second, trying to make a picture of whoever was on the other side before she unlocked the heavy wooden door. Outside, harsh winds ravaged the lands, and rain beat on the ground.

She took one look at the figure standing outside, before ushering him in. "Took you long enough," she muttered as she locked the door once again after him.

Avalan followed her into the sitting room, positioning himself in front of the crackling fireplace. Wren sat down in the chair, leaning back into it, and crossed her feet. His silhouette shadowed the floor before her.

"How did it go?" she asked.

He leaned against the stone mantel, his arms stretching across the top. "No better than last time," he answered curtly.

Wren sighed, her gaze falling upon the thick grimoire on the table. "You need to try harder then, Avalan," she said. The shapeshifter grunted in response.

Silence fell upon the room. The stone walls kept the winds beating far from Wren's ears and the rain's heavy drumming away from sight. Wren closed her eyes, her eyelids heavy and tired. She had spent the entire night worrying about Avalan's whereabouts and attempting to research the mythical being they were trying to help.

Her mother's grimoire lay on the table, its worn binding which once was a brilliant ruby red now faded. Her mother had written down all her research into it, everything she had learned through a lifetime as a keeper at Birtou.

All possible knowledge of mythical beings that roamed the lands of the world, except for one.

Wren's gaze fell onto Avalan. His dark eyes were already trained on her, his thoughts unreadable. But then, she never was able to read his mind. Not even in their most intimate moments.

"Othin has expressed worry about the situation," Wren admitted. "He does not feel comfortable with you hunting alone in such treacherous territory."

"I can hold my own," Avalan said. "Tell Othin his worries are useless."

She sighed as her body felt even heavier than before. Sleep was much needed. She knew arguing with Avalan would lead to nothing but a tense atmosphere and more worries.

The shifter is back? Othin's dark voice floated into her thoughts, worry following his words.

Wren picked up the grimoire and held it under her hand as she walked to the doorway, Avalan silently watching every step. Yes. And he brought nothing new with him.

"Your late arrival has woken some of the beasts," she said to Avalan. "I am going to make sure they're all peaceful before retiring. Do you have anything else to tell me?"

He held her gaze. Then, as he pushed himself off the mantel, he apologized to her.

Wren's features tightened. "Your apology means nothing when it changes nothing." Her fingers curled around the edges of the grimoire.