Shepherd Hunted Read Online Free Page A

removed her hand from the woman’s shoulder. “Sorry. I thought you were something else.”
    The woman muttered something and turned back to her mug.
    “You hunt for a fox?”
    Tera glanced around. Merry, mead-soaked faces surrounded her.
    “I’ve seen it. It will break all its promises.” The familiar voice came from behind.
    Tera turned.
    Evelyn’s pristine black dress hung from her slight shoulders. Her brown hair shimmered. Tera guessed men found Evelyn attractive until they discovered her mental state. How did Timothy’s mother make it here? Evelyn’s hazel gaze bored into Tera. Despite herself, she looked away.
    “What brings you to this town of sin, Sister? Breaking your vows are you? Mother Mae will have something to say about that. I have a promise to keep. Not mine, but I will still keep it. We will be together again. Sister, have you seen my dirty little boy? He is late for dinner.” Evelyn looked through the people around them. “He never could keep a promise, even being home for dinner.”
    Tera blinked. Despite her words, Evelyn’s gaze appeared lucid.
    “This is a dirty town. Promise breakers all. I bet she is breaking her promise with her husband.” Evelyn gestured at a man and a woman pawing each other. “He should be home with his children. I never broke mine. He left me. Death breaks all promises. Are you a promise breaker, Sister?”
    Tera opened her mouth. Mad or not, Evelyn had no right to accuse a woman of the cloth. Evelyn trampled over Tera’s words.
    “Of course you are. We all are. There are no promises we can keep on this side.” Evelyn plucked a hair from a man in a black coat. The man frowned over his shoulder, but Evelyn’s glare made the man turn away. “I’ve seen illness here, Sister. It won’t be long.” Evelyn fluttered a hand. “God judges.”
    “Evelyn…” Tera had better things to do than listen to Evelyn’s rants, but she could not leave the woman alone. Who knew what she would do?
    “Fire could clean it. Yes. Come, Sister. We will find your fox and my boy. Then we can all be together, forever. I know you search for the fox.” Evelyn grasped Tera’s wrist.
    “You’ve seen the demon?” Tera asked and winced. The woman’s nails cut into Tera’s skin.
    “Oh yes, I’ve seen her. Filthy fox tail and ears. Promise breaker corrupting my son.”
    “So she is here!”
    “She breaks promises with a fop in a flop hat. My poor boy! Bewitched by the devil with fur.” Evelyn grinned, and Tera felt a chill. “We have the same goal. You want the fox—better not be for something unclean, Sister.” Evelyn pulled Tera through the revelers.
    “Never! The demon needs to be brought before the Church for her crimes.”
    “Her crimes are no worse than yours or mine. Living is a crime.” Evelyn pushed aside an old woman with some type of black sores on her face. “You take the fox. I take my son.”
    Tera had to jog to keep pace with the woman. Was she making a mistake? Can I trust her?
    Evelyn laughed. “We can trust no one, Sister. Not even ourselves. Let us hunt.”
    Tera swallowed. How did she know what I was thinking?
    * * *
    Still no sign of Kit.
    Timothy’s legs ached. He felt heavy, and rising panic squeezed his stomach. Only the lack of commotion kept his anxiety at bay. Discovering Kit’s tail as the real thing would cause a commotion. Wouldn’t it? But then, neither Shefar or Trent had been able to tell it was real.
    Early morning sunlight reached through the buildings. The charred skeleton of the castle radiated heat. Timothy yawned. People lay on the sides of the streets, mugs still held in sleeping hands. One man snored with a perfect boot print centered on his chest. Clumps of people supported each other as they staggered home. Here and there, people still danced to scattered, clashing music. A few boys swept and straightened the market stalls. They yawned into the backs of their hands.
    Where could she be?
    Timothy trudged down Alenut Street.