Whispers at Moonrise

nasty.”
    The girl shot Della a cold look. Kylie got the feeling again, that something about this stranger was familiar.
    Burnett spoke next. “I’m Burnett James, the camp leader of Shadow Falls, and you are trespassing.”
    “You’re … Burnett?” The girl showed the first bit of insecurity.
    “She wasn’t trespassing,” Kylie spoke up. “I brought her across the property lines.”
    The female shot Kylie a look of surprise. “I don’t need you to defend me.”
    “I wasn’t. Not really.”
    Burnett’s body posture hardened, but his scowl targeted Kylie. “You left Shadow Falls property?”
    “I heard her screaming.” The bleeding stranger pinched her brows, trying to read Kylie’s pattern. Was she still a witch? Or was her pattern doing something else weird?
    “You…” The girl shook her head. “You’re a witch. How could you…”
    Well, that answered that question, Kylie thought.
    The girl turned her blue eyes back on Burnett. And just like that, Kylie knew who she was. The color of the eyes, the way she tilted her head, even her body language hit the mark.
    “I’m—”
    “Lucas’s sister,” Kylie said.
    “Yes.” She focused on Kylie again. “I’m Clara Parker. Who are you?”
    “Kylie Galen,” Kylie said.
    Surprise widened the girl’s eyes. “But you’re a witch? I thought…” She paused. “And you ran and have strength like you’re either a were or … a vamp.” The last word came out sounding like an insult.
    Della growled. Burnett’s frown tightened.
    The frustration of the whole witch issue came rushing back. “I’m just an evolving piece of art. Just call me the mealtime freak show here at Shadow Falls.”
    “You’re not a freak,” mumbled Perry. “I’m the resident freak,” he said with pride.
    Clara continued to stare at Kylie, and then she said, “Why was that fog chasing me? Did you do that with magic?”
    “No, I didn’t do it.”
    Burnett focused on Clara. “Your family is worried about you.”
    Clara rolled her eyes. “They worry too much. I told them I was coming here.”
    “You were expected two days ago,” Burnett reprimanded. “And just so you know, if you plan on staying on at Shadow Falls, we don’t like changes in plans without going through the proper channels.”
    Clara arched her chin up as if to offer Burnett some lip. Remembering it was Lucas’s sister, Kylie intervened. “I’m sure she’ll adjust. Lucas will fill her in.”
    “Where is my brother?” Clara insisted.
    “He was called to visit the Council,” Burnett answered.
    Kylie looked at Burnett and wondered if Lucas had told Burnett. If so, why hadn’t Lucas told her?
    “Is something wrong between him and the Council?” Clara asked Burnett.
    Kylie recalled Will’s odd behavior earlier when Kylie asked the same question.
    “Not that I know.” Burnett stood stoically for a few seconds, and then asked Clara, “How badly are you hurt?”
    “Just a scratch,” Clara answered.
    “She passed out,” Kylie said.
    “Did not,” insisted Clara, as if it would make her look weak.
    Kylie started walking back to the clearing. Everyone fell in step with her. The sounds of the woods returned to normal, but Kylie barely noticed. Her mind chewed on what she’d seen when she’d looked back the last time, and tried to decide what if anything to share with Burnett. Glancing briefly over her shoulder, she tried to listen with her heart to see if she still felt her grandfather and aunt calling. Were they still there? Or had they left?
    The sensation lacked the earlier power, but she still felt it.
    “Perry,” Burnett spoke up, “you and Della go ahead and make sure Clara gets to the office to be seen by Holiday.” Burnett’s demanding voice bounced off the trees and caused another wave of silence. “Kylie, I want a minute with you.” His tone left little doubt that the minute wouldn’t be pleasant.
    Kylie stopped walking. Perry shot Kylie a look of pure sympathy. “She was just trying to help,” the shape-shifter offered.
    Della spoke up. “And nothing happened. All’s well that ends well, right? You can’t get mad when—”
    “Go,” Burnett ordered.
    Della grunted, and Perry sent Kylie another look of empathy. She loved both of them for feeling the need to intervene, but she could handle this. She hoped.
    “I’ll see you,” Kylie said when Perry appeared poised to argue.
    As they walked away, Kylie inhaled a deep breath of wood-scented air. Burnett