The next day, I’m woken up by Grace knocking at my door, dressed and hairbrush in hand. I gape at her. It’s barely sunrise.
“What are you doing up?” I ask, taking the brush from her and ushering her back to her room.
“Claudia and I get to go to the carnival today! I want to be ready!” Grace explains excitedly. I laugh and start brushing her hair. Grace has been talking about this day all week. It should be no surprise she couldn’t sleep for excitement.
I’m braiding the child’s hair back as she chatters on happily, half listening and half lost in my own thoughts.
“…Because Claudia can’t control her wolf coming out at night yet so…”
That gets my attention. “Grace, what do you mean?” I ask, suddenly scared. Did I let something slip to her yesterday? No, I had been so careful.
Grac
