The Bracken Woods She

They didn’t want to see or talk to anyone, so Masquerade departed the rise and headed east. As soon as they set foot on Nova Peak, they stopped and looked upward, seeking the overlook where Avicus had found refuge. Masque’s heart sank at the reminder and they turned, hastening away.

They walked for a long time, until their leg protested. Then they limped a little further, finally coming to rest in a small forest at the foot of the familiar glacier. As soon as their feet stopped moving, Masque collapsed.

“Exhausted” wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how they felt. Yet they were also restless. While their body grew still on the cold ground, their mind raced. They relived every agonizing moment of the past several days, though one in particular gnawed at them. And it wasn’t the one Masque might have expected.

“I don’t know what came over me. I don’t even want those things…”

Their mind turned to New Snow and they wondered if she was, even now, creating new life with her mate. Redd had given her blessing and the Wealda’s word was law. Masque wondered if their sister knew those two were keeping a den somewhere other than the rise.

Masque was on her feet in a flash of fury. Teeth gnashing, shoulder throbbing, she stalked toward the expansive stretch of Bracken Woods. She needed to find something to kill.