Chapter 10

Sacred

I suspected he'd come. I knew, as soon as the man walked into the abbey, he would make plans for an early return to the forest. Since early in the morning, I've been scanning the usual paths he treads among the maze of greenery, warily anticipating his arrival. I feel both excited to see him yet dreading the moment we lock eyes. I can almost picture his scornful stare pounding into me. I know I should be fearful of his sharp gaze and even sharper words. However, I feel more happy than afraid merely for the fact that I get the chance to see him once again. Part of me does not care that he is furious at me. What does it matter? As long as I get to spend time with Brendan, I'm prepared for a tongue-lashing of the century.

Sure enough, I see him thundering through the forest, wrecking anything that falls under his foot. His cloak flows behind him in wild ripples like a whirling ocean. His path is not far from the abbey, probably close enough that the abbey can actually hear his voice barking out my name in anger and command. He looks almost like a bear, demanding respect from the whole forest by striking their confidence with his defiant stride. He calls my name once more and I find the sound of my own name being spoken by another voice odd. This is the first time I've heard my own name in months.

I take a graceful leap from the branch I'm perched on and land silently on the ground. My hand only barely grazes the grass to maintain my balance. I straighten up to find Brendan storming over to me, more identical to a bear on the ground than from an aerial view from the treetops. He skips any sort of friendly "hello" and skips directly to his accusation. "Aisling, what have you done!?" My voice is locked in my throat as well as my face. I show no emotion, no signs of fear or weakness. "I saw what you did and there is no blaming it on the rest of the pack. The injured man said that the wolf had white fur and green eyes."

"I only attacked him because he attacked me first!"

"That's not what the man said. He said that you lunged for him and he had to defend himself." I stare down with a shred of sheepishness.

"That's not the way I meant."

"Well, how did you mean?" Brendan scolds, clearly losing his patience.

"He... he hurt my forest and that-"

"Your forest!? That man almost lost his entire foot!" Brendan throws up his hands in frustration and starts walking around, rambling about the severity of the situation. "The teeth marks exposed the bone, Aisling! It's a miracle he even made it back at all!" I wince as his voice escalates, but he does not take my hint to stop. "All the villagers have heard of your notorious reputation and they are all terrified! Half the entire abbey was unable to sleep last night. Many of the villagers had to cram into the tower to sleep soundly. And all for a few twigs and berries!?"

"It's my forest, Brendan! And he was hurting it! He broke off the entire limb that held the berries! He ripped a live branch from a tree as a weapon! He hurt the forest, so he hurt me." Suddenly, he whips back at me, using his fingers to point in accusation.

"You couldn't have just let him go!? Or, better yet, show you human form and actually be civilized for once!"

"You know I can't do that Brendan."

"Why not!?"

"Because! It's too special to share with anyone else! It proves that we'll forever be friends!" Tears kiss my cheeks as I scream at him in anger. I hate him yet I love him at the same time. He is my worst enemy and my best friend. Both voices come to cease-fire and tension hangs heavy in the air. The wet tears crawl down my face and make their way into my mouth. They're salty yet calming at the same time. I don't make any move to dry them from my face. I just let him stare at me with something that looks like pity and malice. After a long silence, he turns to walk away.

"I'll come back to check on you, Aisling. I'll be back soon."

For once, I actually believe that he will.