Angelo gently nudged her toward the center of the square, snapping her out of her revelry. They walked up to the ticket counter together. The woman behind the booth squinted up at them behind thick eyeglasses.

  “Good morning, Signora. We’d like to book tickets for the train. The train to Savoli.”

  “The next train for Savoli doesn’t leave until the morning. Do you still want me to book you a trip? How many?” the woman asked in her heavy accent.

  Angelo glanced at Serafina with a serious look. “Are you sure you still want to come, Fina?”

  “Yes,” she said and turned to the woman. “Two tickets please,” she answered.

  The woman nodded and turned away, shuffling through her papers.

  “Are you sure? It’s nearly three days to get to Savoli.”

  “So? Three days on a train is better than all these carriage rides, Angelo.”

  He shook his head and made a gesture as if to say that wasn’t what he’d been referring to.

  “I guess this means we’ll be spending the night in town. Better go and find a room. Two rooms.” He rubbed his neck awkwardly.

  Serafina looked away, cursing herself for the embarrassed flush that was surely on her face. Being alone in the cave when he was recovering had been one thing, but Angelo had regained his full health now. The image of his chiseled stomach and smooth skin flickered before her.

  The slap of the paper tickets on the wood snapped Serafina back to attention. “Here you are. Try Moonlight Inn down the street there. Nonna Fabiola runs it,” the old woman grinned.

  “Thank you,” Serafina and Angelo said in unison.

  The woman nodded and shooed them away before she closed the shutter. Serafina shrugged off her strange reaction and started walking the way she had indicated. Angelo followed close at her heels.

  The excitement of being in a new place made Serafina smile. “Since we have all day, we should explore! We can always check into the inn any time.”

  Angelo met her gaze, an unreadable expression on his face. “Fina, wait. I…”

  She cut him off with an impatient growl. “If you’re going to tell me to go back again, I swear…”

  “No. I wasn’t going to say that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I… I wanted to… see you use your…” Angelo glanced around and leaned in closer. “your power.”

  Serafina looked at him in surprise. She had a feeling that wasn’t what he had wanted to say, but dismissed the thought. “Here?” She looked around at the crowd of people walking about. “I don’t see any animals around. Unless you plan to shift.”

  Angelo frowned at her. “No. Over there. The forest.”

  Serafina turned to where he pointed and shrugged. “Okay. But then we go exploring?”

  Angelo gave her a tight smile. “Of course.”

  Ignoring his strange behavior, Serafina led the way out of the town and into the woods. The towering oak trees reminded her of home and the smell of fallen leaves and damp earth surrounded them. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shadows upon the forest floor.

  “Well?” Angelo’s voice echoed around them.

  “Hold on. I… I’m not sensing any animals nearby.”

  He frowned. “Is that how it works? You can sense them and command them to do whatever?”

  She shook her head. “Not quite. Every animal has survival instincts and commanding them to do anything that goes against that is almost impossible. It’s more… like your wolf bond.”

  He gaped at her. “My wolf bond?”

  Serafina nodded, meeting his perplexed look. How could she explain her magic to him? She’d never had to talk about it to anyone outside of her family.

  “It’s like a bond in a way because not every animal lets me into their mind. Many are guarded, but if I open myself to them and show them that I’m their friend, they are more willing to listen.”

  Angelo’s eyes widened. “So, you can understand them? The animals, I mean, and they understand you?”

  She nodded, watching his reaction.

  “I can understand them, too,” he said, surprising her. “Only in my wolf form, but I can’t remember everything. Only bits and pieces.”

  “That’s because you haven’t bonded with your wolf. You haven’t fully accepted him as part of yourself.”

  Angelo grunted. “Not this again.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Well, it’s the truth, Angelo. Whether you want to hear it or not.”

  “I don’t,” he said flatly.

  “Ugh. You’re impossible.”

  His gaze locked onto her. The intensity of his stare made her feel light headed and unbalanced. He’d always caught her attention when they were younger, but now, there was an aura of mystery around him that Serafina found alluring. In some ways he was still the same Angelo, but in others he was different.

  The memory of his transformation flashed before her. Do you know what it’s like to not be accepted? What his wolf had said pained her. Angelo didn’t want to accept his wolf nature, but denying a part of himself would only hurt him and his wolf. Was that the reason her mother had sent her to help him?

  Once she could get Angelo to accept his wolf form then maybe he’d be out of danger and she could return home. Maybe she could convince him to return with her. They could go back to what they’d lost.

  Dismissing her foolish hopes, she turned her attention back to the forest and blew out her breath. “Well, I don’t sense anything here.”

  Branches rustled ahead.

  “What was that?” Angelo asked with a frown.

  The trees shook. Leaves rained down on them, filling the air with their damp earthy smell. All of Serafina’s senses were on high alert. Something was wrong.

  “What is happening?” Angelo’s voice rose in alarm.

  Serafina grabbed his hand and scanned the forest. “I don’t know. I can’t hear any of the animals. I think they’ve all gone.”

  He gave her a sharp look. “Gone? Gone where? What does that mean?”

  Before she could answer, a mighty wind whipped through the forest, blowing leaves and dirt toward them. She threw up her arms to shield her face and nudged Angelo forward with her hip.

  “Go!” She yelled.

  They turned and started running back to the square.

  “Wait!” a voice called behind them.

  A familiar voice.

  Serafina stopped and whirled around. “Ella?”

  Chapter 10

  Moonlight Inn

  Serafina

  Fiorella stood in the middle of the forest, gaze darting from Serafina to Angelo. Angelo paused beside Serafina, eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

  “Fiorella, what are you doing here?” Serafina asked.

  Her sister flinched at her harsh tone before squaring her shoulders back. “You promised next time you left, you’d take me with you.”

  “Damn it, Ella. I meant together on a trip. Not this. This is… dangerous.” She glanced at Angelo.

  “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I can help! You might need my… magic.” Fiorella’s eyes danced to Angelo as well.

  He stared at her, stunned.

  Serafina shook her head. “No! No magic. You power is—”

  “I have it under control.” Fiorella cut her off with a glare.

  A snort escaped Serafina. “Like this?” She motioned to the branches and shrubs that were still quavering.

  Fiorella turned her attention to them and threw out her hand to still them. Angelo sucked in a breath as the forest settled. He cursed, eyes still wide.

  “I’ll be fine, Fina. I promise.”

  Serafina groaned and shook her head. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “I don’t care. I’m not going back. Not until you do.”

  “And we can’t leave Angelo now. Not when he so clearly needs our help,” Fiorella added quickly.

  At this, Angelo’s head swiveled to Fiorella. “What?”

  “How do you know about… have you been following us the whole time?” Serafina asked.

  Fiorella shrugged. “You said you were leaving to help Angelo. I took the next wagon ride out after you, but when I got to Prosperità, the innkeeper said you had never checked in and that Angelo had stepped out. They never told me when you returned or left so I had to find my own way here.”

  Serafina gaped at her. “Ella! Traveling all by yourself? How could you do that?”

  Her sister frowned. “You did too!”

  “We’re going to the ticket counter right now.”

  “There are no rides back toward Zamerra until morning,” Fiorella argued.

  A low growl escaped Serafina. “Then we’ll go to the inn for now and wait. Mama is going to be worried sick, Ella!”

  Her sister sighed and pulled out a giant pendant out of the top of her dress. She waved it in Serafina’s face as if it was the answer to everything.

  Serafina frowned. “What is that? Are you trying to bribe me with that ugly necklace?”

  Fiorella gave her a flat look. “No. It’s Mama’s pendant. She gave it to me when I told her I was coming after you. Fina, she knows I’m here. You can write a letter if you want, but she said I could go. That I was meant to go. Said this pendant would keep us safe.”

  Serafina stared at her. Their mother had sent Fiorella too? Didn’t she know the dangers a young girl on her own would face? Especially one as sheltered as her sister? Why hadn’t she sent them out together if she was going to let Fiorella go? Mama could be aloof at times, but she’d never been so careless. Did the others know what she’d done?

  “I’m here to help. I promise I won’t get in the way. It will be like I’m not even here,” Fiorella chirped, giving Serafina a brilliant smile.

  Serafina groaned. “I’m still writing that letter.”

  Fiorella shrugged. “Go ahead. Send Mama and everyone my love.”

  Irritation filled Serafina at her sister’s smugness. How could their mother think this was a good idea? Fiorella’s magic was more of a liability than it was a protection. How was she supposed to keep both Angelo safe and her sister?

  “Does your mother know? About me?” Angelo asked in a hushed tone as they started walking.

  Serafina glanced at him. “I don’t know, but even if she did, she wouldn’t tell anyone about…” She let her words trail off as she looked at her sister.

  Did Mama tell Fiorella about Angelo’s secret? Had she known? If she had, why hadn’t she told Serafina? Anger stirred inside her. There were a few things she wanted to say and ask in the letter.

  Still shocked and upset at the surprise arrival of her sister, Serafina walked on in silence. Angelo and Fiorella talked in hushed voices beside her. Fiorella’s magic, like hers, had been a family secret and now Angelo knew the truth. She could hear the amazement in his tone as Fiorella told him what she could do. Noticeably, he didn’t share his wolf secret with her.

  “Here we are,” Serafina announced, interrupting their conversation.

  They stopped out front of the small stone villa nestled between an abandoned store and town map.

  “Are sure this is the right place?” Angelo asked, nose scrunching up.

  Serafina shrugged. “The sign says Moonlight Inn.”

  Though it looked weathered, the writing was clear and the depiction of the full moon seemed to glow.

  Angelo frowned, but stepped forward to open the front door for them. Serafina motioned Fiorella in first before following. Despite her sister’s insistence that she was allowed to be there, Serafina was hoping their mother would step in and call her back home.

  Inside, a cozy warmth spread from an invisible source. The scent of lavender and rose petals perfumed the air. Their boots clomped noisily against the wooden floorboards as they crossed the threshold into the foyer. Dim sunlight streamed in from a large window and candles glowed from their places against the wall. A colorful woven rug was spread in the middle of the floor. Antique looking furniture, adorned with velvet cushions and embroidered throws, were positioned around a long, dark wood coffee table in the center.

  It looked more like someone’s sitting room and not an inn. Where was the front counter? The other guests? The owner?

  “I don’t think this is—”

  “Welcome!” a cheery voice interrupted Angelo’s protest.

  They spun around to find a young woman at the front door. She carried a basket of freshly baked bread in her arms. How had they missed her coming in?

  “Is this the Moonlight Inn?” Angelo asked, stepping forward.

  The woman smiled at him and nodded before turning her attention to Serafina and Fiorella. “It is. Let me put away this basket and I’ll be right with you.”

  They exchanged curious looks as she walked through the room and disappeared off to the right, humming as she went.

  “That can’t be Nonna Fabiola. Can it?” Angelo asked, glancing in the direction the woman had gone.

  “Who?” Fiorella asked with a frown.

  Serafina shook her head. “Probably just her help.”

  Angelo started to say something, but was interrupted by the woman’s reappearance.

  She smoothed down her blue cotton dress and smiled at them. “How many rooms?”

  “Two. Please,” Angelo spoke up.

  Serafina reached for her money purse, but Angelo stepped forward with his before she could. She opened her mouth to object but Angelo turned to her with his dimpled smile that made her heart skip and words failed her.

  “You can pay at the next stop.” His eyes gleamed.

  His words echoed in Serafina’s ears. The next stop? When she’d gone after him, she hadn’t been thinking of how far she would travel with him. She glanced at her sister who was scanning the little inn with a curious look. How was she supposed to help Angelo now with Fiorella tagging along? Maybe she could convince them both to return home.

  Serafina turned to their hostess. “Do you have stationary? I need to post a letter.”

  “You’ll find whatever you need in the room. If you’ll follow me now, I’ll show you to them.”

  The woman turned away and led them down a narrow hall with a low hanging ceiling. Angelo had to crouch slightly to fit. They passed several doors, all painted in different colors before stopping at a yellow one and green one.

  “Here you are. If you get hungry, the dining hall is straight down that way. I’ll be back up front if you need anything.”

  Serafina took the room key from the woman and thanked her before she left. Angelo, with his own key, exchanged a look with her.

  “This is the strangest inn I’ve ever stayed in,” he murmured, glancing down the quiet hall.

  “I like it,” Fiorella said.

  Serafina scoffed. “You shouldn’t even be here, Ella.”

  Fiorella shot her an accusing look. “You promised, Fina. You promised you would never leave me again. You said that we’d leave Zamerra together next time.”

  “Next time?” Angelo asked, eyes wide. “You left Zamerra? When?”

  Ignoring him, Serafina turned to her sister. “Mama and the others are going to be worried sick.”

  Fiorella crossed her arms. “No, they won’t. I told you Mama already knows and she’ll tell the others. I’m not going back.”

  “This isn’t some frivolous trip, Ella. This…”

  Serafina looked to Angelo for help. “Tell her she can’t stay!”

  Angelo glanced between them, arms raised in a ‘keep me out of this’ gesture. “Uh... I’m going to go see if there is any caffé in the dining hall. Would you like anything?”

  “No,” Serafina snapped.

  “A caffé for me too, please,” Fiorella said, smiling sweetly.

  Angelo nodded and hurried down the hall, pocketing his key. Serafina watched him go, her irritation growing. He’d been no help.

  Pushing away her irritation, she unlocked their room and motioned her sister inside.

  The bedroom was small, but cozy. Fire blazed in a stone fireplace, surprising them. When had the hostess had time to start one? Near the fire was a large double bed with a wooden frame, adorned with a heavy brown quilt and embroidered white lace pillows. The wooden floorboards creaked as they entered.

  Floral wallpaper, featuring a variety of wildflowers in muted colors, surrounded them. With no window in sight, it felt as if the flowered walls were closing in on them.

  “Well, it definitely looks like somebody’s nonna owns this,” Serafina muttered, gaze catching on all the dainty looking lace doilies on the dresser and desk nestled in the corner.

  She set her bag down on the bed and waited for Fiorella to do the same with hers.

  A ceramic vase of freshly-picked wildflowers sat on one of the desk doilies. Serafina walked over to the wooden desk and opened the drawer to retrieve some paper. Her mother probably wouldn’t receive the letter until they’d already left, but at least Serafina could let her know Fiorella was safe. She’d give her a piece of her mind too for letting a fifteen-year-old travel alone. Pendant or not—it was irresponsible.

  Fiorella threw herself onto the bed and sighed. “I know you don’t want me here, Fina, but I promise I won’t be in the way. If you need to be alone with Angelo—”

  Serafina’s head whipped to her. “It’s not that I don’t want you here. I’m just worried about your magic. And why would I need to be alone with Angelo? What did Mama tell you?”

  Fiorella rolled onto her stomach and gave Serafina a pointed look. “She didn’t have to tell me anything. You’ve been in love with Angelo since forever.”

  “Have not,” Serafina replied out of habit. She finished her letter and set the quill back into the inkwell.

  Fiorella arched a brow at her. “You can’t fool me, Fina. I’m not oblivious. Speaking of Angelo, should we go and join him in the dining hall?”

  Her sister’s words rang in her ears. She wasn’t still in love with Angelo. It would be foolish of her to risk her heart again, but the past day had brought more confusion and stirred up old feelings.

 

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