Page 27 of Red

And then she spotted us and gasped. “Devan!”

Chapter 9: The Ruin

Ihugged her as tight as I could without squishing my ribs or her tiny body uncomfortably. At first, she didn’t say a word, just hugged me back and chuckled silently. But when she pulled away, her gaze was fixed on mine, a million questions in it. In her achingly familiar, soft accent, she asked, “How the hell did you find this place?”

“I asked around in Ferry Vale.” I squeezed her hands, desperate to believe she was real. “Asked the wrong guy, as it turned out. Ever meet a burly guy called Wulfric?”

“No, but I’ve heard he’s not welcome in town.” She glanced over my shoulder at Jack but then refocused on me quickly. In particular on the little scratch on my cheek. “He did that?”

I nodded. “Drugged me and threw me through the portal, apparently. Thought it’d be fun to hunt me down before I could get to you, I guess. I don’t know.”

She patted my face gently, her fingers soft and warm. “Oh, Dev…”

I had a feeling she was about to ask why I’d come though, and my face heated. I figured I’d better do introductions. I stepped back. “Uh, this is Jack. Greenwood.”

Jack bowed his head like she was some kind of princess.

She smiled and nodded back. “One of Ma’s?”

He glanced up in surprise. “You know her?”

“Mmm, all old ladies know each other in these places, don’t we?”

Jack cracked a tentative smile.

Amma said, “She’s not the sweetest, but she has her moments. And what do you do here, Jack Greenwood?”

“I keep the forest,” he said humbly.

“From what?”

“Unnatural imbalances,” he replied.

“And you kept Devan, too, it seems.”

He flushed and glanced at me.

I flushed too.

Jack said, “Wulfric generally keeps himself away from me when he wanders in. Not sure how, but he must realize he can’t take me on in my own forest.”

“Mmm,” Amma hummed, as if she already knew everything. “So he’s a regular in the Greenwood?”

“Not regular,” Jack said slowly, shoulders slumping. “He’s come around a few times, hunted, then left. Never leaves a lasting mark.”

“You’ve allowed him to murder freely so long as he doesn’t tread on your favorite plants?” Amma said, affect flat. “Or is it Ma Greenwood’s favorite plants?”

Jack’s cheeks colored even redder. He looked at the ground.

“Jack was doing his job,” I cut in, trying to keep my voice even. “And he saved me. I’m sure he would’ve done the same for any others, if he had the chance.”

“She’s right. I had warning when he was nearby,” he said quietly. “But I didn’t even think of stopping his games until I saw them in action myself.”

I stared at him, mouth slightly open. On the one hand, I was aware Jack had allowed things to happen in the forest. Allowed Wulfric to come through, even to hunt, without taking that giant axe to him. On the other, to hear him say he never even thought about stopping him before…

I clearly had a lot to learn about his humanity, after all. But now wasn’t the best time to ask for clarification, so—

“Well, I always knew Devan was handsome, but handsome enough to inspire a magical immortal to grow a conscience?” Amma planted her hands on her hips, then looked at me. “You’re in the wrong line of work.”