“Who’s your father, boy?”
“My name is not ‘boy.’ It’s Finn.” He’s trying very hard not to tremble in front of me. “And I don’t have a father.”
“What do you mean, you don’t have a father?” I stare at him. “What about Erik?”
“King Erik?” Finn blinks. “He’s mom’s friend. I don’t think he’s my dad.”
“Dad?” I try to figure out what that is. “You mean father?”
He gives me a strange look. "Yeah. I asked Mom about my dad, and she said she forgot.”
“She forgot?” I stare at him. “And you bought that? Are you stupid?”
Finn bristles. “You’re stupid! And your face is stupid!”
I glare down at the boy. “Show some respect!”
“You called me stupid first!” He sticks out his tongue at me, his previous fear forgotten.
“I’m not the one behaving like a child.”
“I am a child!” he retorts.
He’s got a smart mouth. “How old are you?”
This has him holding out his fingers, and he counts. “Seven.”
I crouch down next to him so that we are at eye level. “Boy, do you want to see something interesting?”
Finn gives me a suspicious look. “Interesting?”
I reach inside my vest and pull out a thin dagger. His eyes widen, and I hold it out to him. “Let me show you a trick. Children like tricks, don’t they?”
From the look in his eyes, he clearly knows better, but curiosity seems to be fighting for dominance. When he nods his head slowly, I feel a smug sense of satisfaction.
Got you!
Chapter 15
Leanna Avery
I’m running in the forest. The monsters are chasing me. I can see the Veil. But I’m too far away. And the monsters are gaining on me.
“Mom! Mama!”
I hear Finn shouting my name. I have to hurry! I need to get to him!
I feel a burning sensation on my back before I smell the hot, wet scent of my blood in the air.
I’m falling.
He’s screaming for me. “Mom!”
I can barely walk, crawling now. I have to get to my baby. I have to protect him.
But I’m surrounded. They’re approaching me now, vicious-looking monsters with terrifying faces and teeth so sharp, they’re the stuff of nightmares.
“Mom!”
