Shepherd Hunted Read Online Free

far too intimate look at the man. He let her go, sending her careening into a small group of women dressed in black habits. Tera slipped on something foul-smelling. Only the three pairs of hands kept her from falling into the muck.
    “Thank you, Sisters.” Tera brushed her habit. “Tell me, why does the Church allow such…sinful behavior?”
    A girlish giggle answered. “We don’t know, Sister. But what else is a confessional for?”
    Tera recoiled. Gaudy paint caked the women’s faces. They even wore something on their eyelids that glittered. These were not fellow sisters! The youngest—barely a woman—grabbed Tera’s hand. “How did you get Glif to dance with you? He’s ignored me this entire time!”
    The fool in wolf’s clothing twirled past, this time with a wizened old man dressed like a goat. The old man’s beard and face fit his fake horns too well.
    “Oh, he is so—”
    Tera stopped listening. She shook off the hands and trudged back into the swirling mass of people. The heat from the flaming castle suited her mood. Did they have no respect? Finally, she emerged from the crowd and breathed with relief. It was a wonder God didn’t smite the town!
    “Why, Sister Tera, I never thought you would be one to carouse.” Brother Balwar leaned against a whitewashed wall.
    “And what are you doing here?” Tera adjusted her habit.
    “Trying to find you,” the young Jesuit said. “You are still looking for that girl, aren’t you?”
    “I can’t let a demon roam free. Neither should you.”
    Brother Balwar shook his head. “Sister, we caught our demon. You saw how that lamb protected them. Those two are under God’s protection.”
    “That thing is a fox demon. I saw her with my own eyes. I will find her.”
    The Jesuit sighed. “You are stubborn. Guillermo and I are leaving. It is a long way to Rome. Longer with a man like Tahd to watch, even with soldiers to help. Will you come with us? To Rome? I am sure the Holy Father would like to see you. He has taken a personal interest in the Valador case.”
    Tera hesitated. She could go to Rome and meet the Holy Father himself! But she would be leaving these people and Aunt Mae’s Timothy to that creature.
    “No. My duty is here.”
    Brother Balwar grimaced. “Fine. I left you enough money to see you take a carriage back home. Speak with Father Dulcard. May God watch over you.” He pushed away from the wall and walked down the street.
    Tera turned her back on the Jesuit and faced the crowd. That demon would be in there. Perhaps it was the cause of such lewd behavior? That made sense. It would be like a demon to make people sin like this.
    A lout slammed into her.
    “Sorry.” The man did not bother to look at her. He plunged into the press of sinners.
    Tera stared after the man. “Timothy?”
    She had no doubts now that the fox demon was still someplace here. The poor boy had the creature’s claws deep in him. She followed him. I will do something for him. Then Aunt Mae will know the truth. Her feet slipped on the cobblestones. She refused to think about what soaked her stockings. She glared at a man engulfing a woman’s face with his lips. Tera had a mind to ask them if they were married, but even when married that wasn’t done in public! She blushed when she saw what their hands were doing.
    Where was Timothy? Tera’s cheeks heated at the sounds the couple beside her were making. Today would be perfect for the demon to hide out in the open. I need to watch for both Timothy and the creature. These fools would only see a costume. Tera knew how bold the demon could be. She touched the scar on her cheek. She glimpsed a flash of red and pushed toward it.
    Tera slapped her hand on the demon’s shoulder. She knew how strong it was. This time there would be no surprises. “Thought you could get away—”
    The red haired creature turned. The woman’s sagging face raised an eyebrow. Black and gray hair peeked out from the ill-fitting red wig.
    Tera