That was how the legend went, though from the girls’ pleased expressions, Kyra suspected that Brendel hadn’t told them the rest of the story. The felbeast was indeed part man, and Lady Evelyne fell in love with him in his handsome human form. But as the months went by, Evelyne found that the felbeast still retained his animal nature. Unable to reconcile her love for him as a man and the horrors he committed as a beast, Evelyne flung herself down a ravine. The felbeast, upon finding her broken body, fled deep into the mountains and was never heard from again.

Flick set Idalee down and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. His grin faded somewhat as he met Kyra’s eyes, and she suddenly really wanted to apologize. Kyra suppressed the urge. Smoothing things over now would just mean more questions she didn’t want to answer.

There was a moment of awkward silence. “Lettie,” said Flick. “Don’t you have something for Kyra?”

The girl’s eyes brightened and she ran off, returning with a lump of dough cupped in her hands. Kyra bent closer and saw that it had been shaped into a small dog.

“Wow.” Kyra bent down, honestly impressed. “Did you make this?”

Lettie nodded. “It’s for you.”

“Thank you.” It was impossible to miss the change in Lettie since she’d moved in with them. The child talked more and was remarkably creative with whatever kitchen scraps Bella gave her. Kyra couldn’t help but wonder what would happen once she quit the Guild. If they couldn’t scrounge enough money to keep the girls here, where would they go?

“Kyra, you all right?” asked Flick. Kyra realized she’d squeezed her eyes shut.

“I’m all right. Just tired.”

“Are you sure?”

Flick’s concern rattled her more than she could handle. She took the dog from Lettie and used the opportunity to turn away from Flick.

“Tell you what. Let me go put this somewhere safe.”

She retreated back up the stairs, shedding any attempt at hiding her turmoil as she stepped onto the second floor. She couldn’t stay with the Guild. She knew that, and Bella had promised they would figure something out for the girls. But it still didn’t make her feel better. Kyra was two steps into her room, rubbing her temples, when a voice spoke behind her.

“Where have you been?”

Kyra whipped around, crouching as she grabbed for her dagger. James sat at the table by her door, watching her with narrowed eyes.

“How’d you get in here?” She scanned the room. He seemed to be alone.

“Why haven’t you come in the last three days?”

Kyra drew a breath and forced her muscles to relax. She needed to be calm for this conversation. “I’m sorry. I should have come in.”

“Will you disappear every time we have a mishap?”