Shadewood The future tense of fear is either comedy or tragedy

Oblivious to the bitter end, only when came the poke did Arcelia realise she was not alone—and it was a startling discovery. The child’s body lurched up and off of the stump, whipping around to face her assailant; every strand of hair on her body was sticking straight out, ears pinned and heart racing. Wild eyes and a flicker of pink as her tongue slid nervously over her maw—

—and then her eyes landed on her sister and she was all but instantly at ease. Her coat seemed to smooth out and she offered a light wag of her tail, gaze turning apologetic. “You scared me,” she said, explaining herself. Meanwhile, she still felt as if her heart could burst from her chest at any moment.