As with any story, there are scenes that don't make it into the final product.
This scene was going to give us Grant's relationship with David and his mother, but didn't really serve a larger purpose. It didn't add much more to the story so it was cut.
They were approaching the house when Grant froze. His mother stopped as well. The air was taut with tension. After a quick glance, they both approached slower than before, making use of the trees. There was a heavy sound as something fled, then silence. The house was visible now. The structure was on fire though. Flames just beginning to lick its walls. A pile of brush next to the house was the cause. There were hoof marks clearly trampled into the ground around the house, but there was no time to think about them.
His mother ran into the house coming out a moment later with a bucket and a bowl. She splashed the remnants of water in the bucket on the fire, but it was only smothered for a second. It continued to eat at the wood. A hungry beast with many tongues that sought to taste it all. She handed the bucket to Grant.
“Fill it up from the stream, hurry.” He didn’t wait around, taking the bucket and starting at a run. Briefly he saw his mother go back into the house. The stream was deep into the forest, but his senses were keenly listening for the rush of water. He filled the bucket. The water sloshing over the sides as he ran back. The fire had grown a little, but with new force he threw the water. The fire hissed. The wood dampening. There was another hiss and he turned to see his Aunt Trish with a bowl in her hands. Uncle Eddie sloshed more water, then his mother returned with a bucketful as well. Soon, the fire sputtered into nothing. The wooden beams blackened where the fire licked them.
He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. His mother wiped back his hair. “That could have been worse. Thank you.” Her eyes traveled over the brush pile.
“How strange,” his grandmother said. Her hands scratching her hair.
His grandfather took her by the shoulders. “It’s out though. We should be glad it didn’t spread further.”
His Aunt and Uncle were already going inside the house. Ivan and Lisa following with their Grandma and Grandpa ushering them inside. Still, Grant knew what was on his mother’s mind.
“This wasn’t an accident.” She said.
“Centaurs,” Grant asked.
She paused. “It seems so.” Delicately, she lifted the soggy brush and threw it into the forest. He watched her face, knowing that it would reveal the seriousness of the situation. Her brows were pinched together. Her mouth a flat line as she looked around. His heart beat quickened, increasing as adrenaline shot through him in cold tendrils. He followed her gaze.
“We will need to have someone guarding the house.” His mother said. “This could have been worse…”
They heard crunches as something stepped on leaves. Grant was already turning, readying himself for a fight. Out of the woods came his false father, David. His dark eyes were alight as he walked past Grant and up to his mother. He smiled at her, oblivious to her worried look and swung her around. “Adina, honey, I’m so close to discovering something important in the caves.” He waved his arms wildly as he described some of the things he’d seen. “and then, I found this secret tunnel that was hidden by some rocks. It took some time to shift, but I think I’m getting closer to unearthing something important.”
Grant scowled. His eyes trained on the ground. Irritation was surging through him. A powerful heat rose from his stomach and flushed his face. David was always so clueless, so wrapped up in his discoveries. He was barely a part of this family. His interest in the caves had stemmed from his father, Grant’s grandfather, but unlike his grandfather David became more wrapped up in his studies. He left for days on end.
David had finally stopped talking. For the first time, he seemed to notice something was wrong. “Adina, what is it? Did something happen?”
She took his hand and showed him the burned part of the house. He looked at her in confusion. His brows contracting as he examined the wood. “How did this happen?”
“We were attacked by centaurs I think,” Adina replied.
David stood slamming his fist into his palm. “Then we have to go after them.”
Grant stared at him in surprise. The determination and willingness for violence was a new side of David. Other times David would just shrug off a problem. He was so absorbed in his explorations that he rarely thought about anything else. His mother was surprised as well. She put a hand on David’s arm, holding him back.
“I don’t know if we could find those responsible,” she said. “Why don’t we just keep someone on watch.”
“Right,” David nodded his head vigorously. “Discoveries can wait. I’ll take first watch.”
“You just got back. Why don’t you wait a little bit and rest.”
“No, no can’t do that, honey. I need to be here.” David was unshakeable. “Go on in,” he said. “I’ll be here.”
Grant looked at his mother. He could see her biting her lip, but she accepted, leading Grant into the house.
Inside Aunt Trish was at a wheel making a bowl out of clay. Ivan and Lisa were watching her. Their eyes transfixed as she molded it. Under her hands, the clay rose and fell. Her hands were coated in clay as she would quickly dip her fingers in water then shape the clay. All the while, her foot kept pressing the pedal to keep the table spinning. He watched as the sides of the bowl rose getting thinner. The lull of the spinning table was relaxing. Sitting in his corner, he found his thoughts drifting. He bent to pick up his dagger and wood, but could’t. His fingers missed each time. Barely grazing either object, his body felt fluid and then there was a ripple of pain. Fear engulfed him as he lost control. Pulse beginning to race as his vision dimmed. He shuddered, falling to his knees. No one else noticed as he shook himself. His hands pressed hard into the floor. His chest hitched as he took a steadying breath.
That was close. His body had felt fluid in that trance. There was less control in his movements. Now, he felt the directness of his movements. He could lift himself up without shaking. His body felt solid. His feet pressing into the ground. The change, he thought. Romulus had unlocked his power. The barriers he had put up to shield himself from it were broken. A desperate desire to try was blocked by his fear. If he couldn’t change back, he could be stuck forever. A bat was a less powerful creature than a wolf. Inwardly he beat at himself for being weak. If he could master his fear, he could change as effortlessly as Romulus. Sitting down, he blocked everything from his mind and began to carve.
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