The Revenants: Part One (special preview)

“I will, thank you!” Christabel gasps as he takes the key and unlocks the door. She finishes buttoning herself up outside. She knows she is playing with a fire, and eventually, she will have to burn herself to get her way, but for the time being, it is worth it.

She leaves the house, stepping out on the street. She glances back to the house, seeing Andrew wave to her from inside. Christabel waves back then makes her way down the street. She then takes her first real breath and relaxes.

She goes to the market first, just to buy something and prove where she has been. As she mingles in with the crowd and buys herself a shining ring, she sees a young man lingering around the buildings. He is watching her, his dark brown eyes focused on her. Christabel feels a bit excited, he is very handsome. As she walks away, he follows, eventually walking beside her on the street.

“Such a fancy thing,” he then says. “Who let you out on your own?”

Christabel glances at him, biting her cheek as her eyes glance over his strong jawline, his thick neck. “You must be new here.”

“I go where I please,” he chuckles. “Although the witches here seem much more adverse to me than other cities I have been.”

Christabel looks up at him, noticing the scar around his neck where a choker should be. “You’re a stray.”

The young man chuckles. “A pretty pet like you probably shouldn’t be seen with a stray like me. But I had to know how your voice sounded. I needed to know there was a flaw about you that would make you imperfect.”

Christabel’s heart is fluttering and her stomach is turning to liquid. “And is it as terrible as you had hoped?”

“Worse,” he growls, “it’s just as beautiful as the rest of you.”

Christabel smiles at him. “You’re dangerous.”

“I try to be.” He then offers his strong hand to her. “I’m Moses.”

Christabel happily places her hand in his, enjoying the feeling of his rough palm. “Christabel,” she gives her name with a smile. 

“Of course, the pretty kitten has a fitting name,” Moses sighs. 

She giggles and her cheeks blossom a soft pink. Moses has found her at the best of times. She is angry with Andrew, disgusted by his touch. Moses looks like the perfect person to make her forget that morning. His smile is charming, his skin is like dark amber, and his brown eyes make her feel warm and excited.

There is a secret Christabel keeps, a place she goes to when she can escape Andrew and his home. The house belongs to Harper, the former executioner. Harper, despite his previous work, is a kind and gentle man, and one of the few who is not worried about Andrew and his power. He offers a place of comfort for Christabel and she pays him back in various ways. She takes Moses to Harper’s place, where he is allowed a bath and a warm meal.

“You are playing too closely to the fire, Chrissie,” Harper tells her. “It is one thing to use me, but to play with a stray?”