It was as much as I could manage not to gather Bramble up and hug her close, bear her away and open my heart to her somewhere in private. Which was, in fact, not so very different from what I had already been doing from time to time, before I knew anything about her true nature. ‘Thank you, Aunt,’ I said. ‘We’ve decided to leave Bramble here until we return. Aedan and Fíona will make sure she’s looked after. She has many friends at Winterfalls, don’t you, lovely girl?’ I bent down to caress her soft head. She licked my hand. Her bright eyes seemed to me full of knowledge; of truths that could not yet be spoken. If tonight’s endeavour did not work, if it was a disastrous failure, my heart would shatter in pieces.

‘Very well, Oran.’ I could see Aunt Sochla was disappointed. ‘If you change your mind at any time, just let me know. I always have room for one more. Especially a well-behaved little soul like Bramble. It really defies belief that . . .’ She let her words trail off. ‘Ah, well, I have a great deal to do. And the morning will be chaotic. It might be best if Bramble went to Aedan and Fíona’s cottage tonight, don’t you think? The departure is sure to disturb her. Why don’t you take her now?’

‘Of course.’ Whether my aunt sensed something odd, or whether this was another of those turns of events that made me suspect uncanny interference in our affairs, there was no doubt it was convenient. ‘I will. And . . . thank you for being here this last while, Aunt Sochla. Your presence has provided a welcome dash of common sense. And you have been kind to Bramble.’

‘Kind but firm,’ my aunt said. ‘Makes them feel safe. Does wonders for their behaviour. Goodbye, little one.’ She turned on her heel and walked off without another word. I suspected my formidable kinswoman was holding back tears.

I broke my promise to Blackthorn. I went to my bedchamber, with the dog at my heels, locked myself in, and sat on the edge of my bed holding her. Stroking her. Whispering to her of what was to come, and how she would need to be very brave, and how I knew she would be when the time came. Explaining that she would have to leave me now, but that soon we would be together again. For the rest of our lives. Perhaps she understood my words; perhaps she retained her human awareness while she was in canine form. If she could not understand, she was at least soothed by my tone; her neat, small form was warm and relaxed against me. ‘Soon,’ I murmured. ‘Soon this nightmare will be over.’

Then I sent for Grim, and he took her away.