Page 234 of Fallen Nocturne

“It’s all right,” I say. “I’ll handle him.”

I dissolve into shadow and reform outside the gate. Garrett jerks backward, one hand flying toward the sword at his hip.

“Must you do that?” he snaps.

“Yes.” I fold my arms. “What are you doing here?”

His gaze moves past me toward the house. He looks exhausted. His golden hair is unbound, and there are dark shadows beneath his eyes.

“Please let me see Wolf.” His jaw tightens. “I mean… Lucien.”

“He does not want to see you,” I say.

Pain flashes across Garrett’s face, quickly hidden. “I am asking you as a friend.”

I lower my head. “My answer is the same.”

“Then I am begging you.” His voice drops. “Please. Let me speak to him.”

He steps toward the gate.

I move into his path. Garrett does not stop. He walks past me as if he intends to storm the house, despite knowing exactly what I am and how easily I could overpower him.

“Do not do this, Garrett,” I warn.

He stops and turns. Fury and desperation war across his face. “You don’t understand—”

“No, I don’t. But I understand that Lucien said no.”

Garrett flinches at the name.

“Do you not think he has been through enough?” I ask. “He is trapped in an animal form. Lucien cannot speak freely. He cannot explain himself or defend his choices. Every day strips another piece of dignity from him.”

Garrett’s face drains of color.

“At least give him this one choice,” I continue. “Let him decide who he sees.”

Garrett looks as though I have driven a blade through him. His mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

For several seconds, he remains frozen outside the gate. Then his shoulders collapse.

“Tell him…” Garrett stops and swallows. “No. Never mind.”

He turns away.

I watch him walk down the road without looking back. He does not attempt to enter the house again.

The victory leaves a foul taste in my mouth.

I know almost nothing about the history between Garrett and the cursed wolf. I do not know who hurt whom or what shattered them so completely. I only know that both of them look destroyed whenever the other is near.

When I return inside, Rhianelle is still kneeling beside the chalk circle. Shade looks at me questioningly.

“He left,” I say.

Lucien lowers his head onto his paws again.

Rhianelle studies him for a moment, but she does not ask. Instead, she places her hands over the crystals and begins the spell.