“Aye!” Hoarfrost glared. “As for these other skills of yers,” he went on, addressing Seven and Twelve, “I reckon I’ll be sending a hawk to the witches. I’m hoping they may be able to identify this unknown ‘master’ of ours. I’ll ask for their advice regarding ye two as well, although I expect they’ll respond with their usual silence. Until then though, I absolutely forbid ye to use these . . . powers.”

Seven opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by a look from Six. Twelve nodded at Hoarfrost, a muscle in her jaw flickering painfully.

“Not going to be a problem,” she said tightly.

Hoarfrost stared at her for a moment and nodded once. “Glad to hear it. Any questions?”

They shook their heads.

“All right,” he said, his gaze encompassing the others again, “I’ll make the announcements. I suggest ye all start thinking about yer new Hunter names.” A storm-swept smile flickered across his face and was gone. “Ye’ve ruddy well earned ’em.”

Chapter

Fifty-Three

They made their way to the nearest campfire and sat on the logs around it. Food and hot drinks were pressed on them, but then suddenly they were alone, looking at one another uncertainly. So much had happened and no one knew how to begin to broach it. Feet shuffled, Six became very interested in his tea, Five purposely crammed an enormous handful of cake into his mouth. Dog’s gaze moved from face to face, infuriatingly hopeful.

“Th-th-thanks for rescuing me,” Seven burst out at last, color rising in her pale face. The food seemed to have given her a new strength and her words tumbled over themselves. “I wasn’t sure you would. I did everything I could to make it easier, but that w-wasn’t much really.” She shrugged and looked at Twelve. “I just gave you the moonstone and h-h-hoped that would be enough.”

A cloud crossed Six’s face. “Why didn’t you say something to me?” he asked. “A warning or . . . or anything! I would have protected you! Or . . . tried to at least.”

“I wanted to,” Seven said miserably, her shoulders hunched against his anger. “B-b-but, in most of the paths where I did that, you ended up dead. And”—she hesitated—“things have been so d-d-different between us since we got to the lodge. We haven’t talked properly since we arrived. I kn-know we only came here because of me,” she added quickly, holding up a hand to stop Six’s interruption. “But part of me wondered if you were relieved. To not h-have to deal with . . . all this anymore.” She made a vague gesture at herself.

Six looked stricken. “That’s ridiculous,” he said faintly.

Seven nodded quickly in agreement, but her expression was uncertain.