“Pinespittle…” the man cursed, not even thanking her as he regained his footing and shoved his way back into the crowd.

Lucas’s laugh was loud and raspy. He slid an arm ‘round Kaley’s waist to weave her out of the rush.

“Stealing is wrong, Lucas Leutenski,” Kaley stated as she composed herself. “I don’t care what you think it proves.”

“Well, frostbite. You want to eat, don’t you?” He drew her to a porch where a dozen plus two candles cast traces of light against a spruce-branch awning. There, he let her go, and Kaley shuddered at the sweep of cold that came after. Scents of cooked vegetables and spices leaked from the cracked door to her right.

“Of course I want to eat,” she said.

“Well quit your nattering, and I’ll buy you a feast.” But brassy-orange swept over Lucas’s irises, and he glanced at the road. “Or perhaps we ought to scuttle back into the forest. We seem to have a pesky ashworm on our trail.”

Kaley turned but saw only commotion, antlers, and green coats. “Wait…” she tried, but Lucas was already trotting down the porch stairs.

When she followed, Lucas rounded and placed a hand against her shoulder. “Stay, Trite,” he whispered and pulled up his hood.

“I’m not a peg out of its shell, Lucas. I can keep up.” Kaley’s words faded when a figure appeared in the village crowd, marching headstrong in a silver, fitted, velvet jacket whose pearl buttons looked ready to pop off over his tight chest. In fact, one of Eliot Gray’s buttons was missing already.

“Should we run for the trees? I bet I can outrun you,” Kaley whispered in challenge.

The corner of Lucas’s mouth curled but he stayed put. “I don’t think so. To both.”

Kaley fought the impulse to act as Eliot strutted past. She turned her face away, and Lucas slinked around, tugging Kaley with him. His hand swiped Eliot’s pocket, and their mutual foe did not bat an eye.

The pair moved in silence down the road, past the veil of pine ivy, and back into the forest.

Kaley sighed in relief as Lucas turned and splayed his hands to show all that had been in Eliot’s pocket. A pearl button rolled around amidst the collection of lint, rings, two brass tins, and a crumpled paper.

“I guess we know he wasn’t carrying any weapons.” Kaley reached for the button and laughed as she held it up. “Should we hold this ransom? Tell him he won’t be able to wear his stupid coat anymore unless he leaves us alone?”

Lucas grinned, but the smile fell away when he unwrinkled the paper and read its contents. “Ragnashuck,” he whispered. And with a flick of his wrist, he had the paper folded back up and tucked away in his own pocket.

“What was that?” Kaley tossed the button into the snow.