M O R G A N

I checked all the windows and doors when I arrived at the pub. I felt crazy, but I needed to know that the dead bird in the fireplace was not connected to the homeless man Rupert had seen earlier.

It was unusual for Thorsbury to have a stranger in the village. Usually, travellers and vagrants were moved on quickly by the villagers and local farmers. However, the community did its best to shelter the village from the outside world, mainly when the wisps were due to visit.

I found nothing unusual after checking the windows and doors. So, I returned to the bar. Rupert was sitting at the bar with India, and they were both drinking tea and eating toast.

"Is everything okay?" Rupert asked through a mouthful of toast.

"Everything is fine," I lied. I didn't want to tell Rupert or India about my suspicions. They'd probably think that I was crazy.

"Rupert was telling me about the crazy homeless guy he saw this morning," India said, passing me a mug of tea.

Rupert then passed me a slice of buttered toast and said, "Me and a few boys will chase him out of the village. He'll be squatting in the old house in the woods. So you don't need to worry about any stranger poking around the pub."

I took a bite of the toast and mumbled, "Thanks."

"You know, we protect our own," Rupert said, flashing a reassuring smile.

India leaned back in her chair and sighed, "I don't understand why we haven't torn down that house. It only attracts squatters... and Satanists."

"Don't talk nonsense," I replied.

Mischief danced in her eyes, and she smirked, "The homeless man was probably a satanist come to do a ritual. He probably planned on using the bird as a sacrifice."

A shiver crawled up my spine, and I discarded my last bite of toast, having lost all my appetite.

Rupert rolled his eyes at India and snapped, "There are no Satanists in the woods."

"Then why does everyone in the village call that house 'The Devil's House'?" India replied.

"Because my Uncle Barry got drunk in '92 and mistook a black back hanging in the window for a hooded figure drawing an upside pentagram," Rupert explained.

India waved her hand dismissively, "I heard that the house was built on an old plague pit which is why the Satanists go there to perform their dark rituals."

I shook my head. It was childish nonsense, but it was nonsense I was starting to believe. The image of the man walking through the village and then the dead bird in the fireplace had my imagination running wild.

I couldn't bear to listen to India's grizzly stories any longer, so I excused myself from the bar and returned to the kitchen.

For the rest of the day, I occupied myself with helping Charlie and the other volunteers prepare for the feast. Finally, when the sun had set, I relocated to the drinks tent outside the pub.

A small crowd gathered around the Craving Stone, including Eli and his mother, Dinah.

"Eli doesn't look impressed with Aisling," India commented as Aisling suddenly appeared at Eli's side.

Eli smiled politely at the pretty young brunette and then excused himself to speak with one of the elders.

Aisling's face fell, and she looked tearfully at her mother, Yolanda Doone. Yolanda approached Dinah, and suddenly the two women were walking towards the drinks tent, deep in conversation.

I nudged India, who quickly poured two glasses of mulled cider. The two women walked into the tent, and I overheard Yolanda ask, "Why is Eli not interested, Aisling?"

Dinah laughed nervously and accepted the warm glass of mulled cider. She shot me and India a dirty look and said, "Eli is a shy boy, and he is delighted that your lovely daughter has put herself forward as a bride."

Yolanda raised an eyebrow and replied, "I heard that Eli has become infatuated with that Button girl."

Dinah lowered her voice and replied, "Absolutely not. There is no way my son is marrying a fucking Button."

India lunged forward, and I grabbed her arm.

"Let it go. Dinah's family own this pub. We don't want to cause problems for Charlie," I said.

India glared at Dinah's back and said, "We can spit in her food later."

I stifled a giggle, and together, we watched Dinah and Yolanda retreat into the crowd to stand by the other wealthy members of the village.

We continued to serve out mulled cider until Poppy decided to make her grand entrance, moments before the elder was due to make their speech. She slipped out into the snow in a sleeveless neon pink dress that was so short it barely covered her knickers.

"She better not bend down in that," India groaned, cringing at her sister's taste in fashion.

The whole village stared open-mouthed as Poppy, a vision of luminous pink, glided through the crowd and took her place around the Craving Stone. She gave us a quick wave before turning her attention to Eli, who seemed utterly disinterested in her.

In fact, Eli seemed utterly disinterested in all the girls around the Craving Stone, including Aisling Doone.

When all the young people had gathered, the village elder took to the centre of the circle.

The crowd quietened as the elder spoke.

"Tonight, we once again welcome the wisps to the village. These spirit lights have visited the village since our ancestors first came to this land four hundred years ago. The young people gathered before us are ready to help write the next chapter of this village. Their pairings will help produce the next generation of dragons for this village. However, we don't just look forward to this night. We also take a moment to look back and remember why our ancestors came to this village. We must always remember why our ancestors lost their homeland. The fox-"

The elder paused as the crowd booed and hissed at the mention of the fox's name. When the crowd quietened, he continued, "The fox destroyed our peace. She told a lie that ignited a war between vampires and dragons. Our homeland was lost, but thanks to the great noble of houses of Corvell, Doone, Lightfall, and Greeves, our ancestors escaped to this village. So please, let us take a moment and raise a glass to our ancestors."

We all raised our glasses and murmured, "To the ancestors."

The elder then clapped his hands and yelled, "Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue with tonight's ceremony, is there anyone else who wishes to participate?"

A stony silence fell over the crowd until Eli broke away from the circle.

"Someone is missing," he announced loudly.

I immediately dove behind the bubbling pot of mulled cider. I peered over the drinks table and saw his mother begging him to stay in line. He refused and ran forward into the crowd for something or someone. He didn't stop looking until he saw me hiding behind the table.

My heart dropped like a stone as he pushed his way into the drinks and offered me his hand. Behind him, I could see Poppy standing next to the Craving Stone like a bride who had just been left at the altar.

I glowered at Eli and snapped, "What the hell are you doing? Get back to the stone."

"Not without you," he countered.

"I can't! I'm not a dragon," I replied.

"I refuse to believe that. I know in my heart that you are the golden dragon Charlie saw. I know that you are my destined mate. So please, Morgan, join me at the Craving Stone. I promise to be a good husband to you."

He offers me his hand, and I stare down at it.

"I can't. It would destroy Poppy," I explained.

My eyes darted from Eli to Poppy. Eli stood in front of me while Poppy watched us from the stone. Fortunately, she wasn't able to hear us. Instead, she stared at us wide-eyed in confusion.

Eli glanced back at Poppy and announced loudly to the crowd, "My future is not with Poppy Button or Aisling Doone. It's with you, Morgan."

Poppy heard Eli's declaration, and the light from her eyes disappeared. She staggered backwards, and I could see her heart breaking in front of me.

Eli watched her reaction and smirked, "It's okay. We don't have to hide this anymore."

"Are you insane?" I hissed. "I've already told you that I'm not interested."

Eli's eyes narrowed on me, and he shrugged. "Fine. I will wait another year for you to join me," he said, withdrawing his hand. "But I will have you, Morgan."

Poppy muffled a sob. Her dreams of marrying Eli were now wholly shattered. She spun on her heel, away from the Craving Stone and the village, and ran blindly towards the woods.

My stomach dropped. She was running toward the Devil's House. She was running straight into danger. I pushed past Eli and ran after her.