Goose crouched at the edge of the clearing, eyes narrowed on the shimmering shape beneath the ancient oaks. The magical mare—if it was indeed real—blinked slowly, its coat glinting with a silver sheen that made Goose’s heart hammer like a wild drum. She’d been chasing whispers of these creatures for years, yet every lead had ended in disappointment. Until now.

Her fingers tightened around the worn handle of her rifle, but she didn’t want to scare the horse off. Not yet.

A sudden rustle from the underbrush made Goose snap her head toward the sound. She froze, breath catching when Elara stepped into the dappled sunlight, her dark hair tangled with leaves. That smug, knowing smile chased away any nervousness.

“Still poking around where you shouldn’t,” Elara said, voice low but laced with amusement.

Goose blinked, trying to hide how much relief she felt seeing her. “I could say the same about you, Forest Witch.”

Elara tilted her head, eyes shimmering like the horse’s coat. “You’re lucky the forest’s patient. Most people don’t get second chances.”

Goose snorted. “I’m nobody’s lucky charm.” Her gaze flickered back to the horse, now stepping closer, nostrils flaring tentatively.

The mare’s eyes met hers. Goose thought she saw a flicker of recognition, or maybe it was just the light playing tricks.

Elara crouched beside her, careful not to spook the creature. “They only come out when they feel safe,” she whispered. “And that means trusting someone utterly.”

Goose swallowed. Trust was a far stretch from where she stood, armed with skepticism and aching hope.

The forest around them was impossibly still. Goose’s pulse was the only sound she registered—until the mare nudged her hand with a warm muzzle.

Oh. No one told Goose that magic might feel like this: soft and unexpected, like an old song catching in her throat.

Elara’s voice was a breath. “You’re not just a sheriff, Goose. Maybe you’re a legend in the making.”

Goose laughed, sharp and loud—and somewhere inside, she knew it was true. It had always been true, even if nobody else believed it.