Chapter 26
“Damn,” Sean heard himself whisper, and left Dane where he was, gun awkward in his hand, gaping. Sean crossed to where Winter stood, still offering her hand to the hodag, but approached slowly. He hoped the monster would notice he was a witch like Chip had and allow him near, too.
“What the hell am I looking at?” asked Dane from behind them.
“Quiet,” said Sean, moving to stand a few inches behind Winter. Her face was calm and intent, and after a full minute the hodag let her scratch its face above its lump of a nose. “Winter?”
“Animals don’t like it when you try to hurt them,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll relax if you put away your gun, Dane.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” said Dane as Sean blurted, “He?”
“I can tell.”
“You’re not by any chance a witch, are you?” asked Sean,
