Page 35 of Cursed By Fate

“Again?”

“Again. A werewolf family barbecue this time.”

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Casualties?”

“None.”

I sat up straight. “None? Did they fight it off?”

“They said the monster broke through the food tent, ate them clean of ribs and chicken, and disappeared back into the marsh.”

“Anybody hurt?”

“Only one hungry werewolf that tried to defend his plate. The monster knocked him into a tent pole and gave him a concussion.”

“Can’t blame a guy for acting as a human shield to protect his ribs.” The creature was solely focused on food and still lingering in the same area. “How far from Ben’s house?”

“Half a mile.”

“There must be a nest close by.” I dreaded to ask my next question. “Any sign of Yume?”

“No. Nothing at all.”

“Yet the monster didn’t attempt to eat anyone at the barbecue.”

“Maybe it doesn’t have a taste for werewolf. Yume was human.”

“What time was this?”

“Yesterday evening around seven.”

I’d have Penny check Francesca’s whereabouts.

“What’s the plan now?” I asked.

“A major search of the waterways. Harriet is working on a spell to help us cover a large area.”

“That’s a big ask for a single witch.”

“She’ll let me know if it’s too much.”

Would she, though? Harriet adored Vale. She and I had only become friends recently. I couldn’t tell if she was the type of person who would set herself on fire to keep Vale warm. I didn’t get that impression, but some people were harder to read than others—and I happened to be one of them.

“Do you think you could spare a couple hours this afternoon, if we manage to get this spell up and running? An aerial view would be helpful.”

“You need to add somebody with wings to your coterie,” I said, smiling at the phone.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do, but the lady in question seems resistant.”

“Maybe because she already has a full-time job that requires all of her attention.”

“Or maybe because she would rather isolate herself than risk connection.”

I had no desire to tread this ground. “What time do you need me?”

“Two o’clock? That would give Harriet enough time to craft a spell.”

“And if she can’t?”