“All I ask for in return is truth.” Oakhammer spoke quietly now, his words falling like dead leaves around them. “A few questions each, answered honestly. I do miss honest conversation; it can be surprisingly hard to find.”

The starlight in his eyes burned brighter and the band around Twelve’s chest tightened.

“This is clearly a terrible idea,” Five hissed. “Let’s get out of here.” For once, Twelve was in total agreement with him.

“We’ll answer your questions truthfully,” Six called, averting his eyes from the others’ shocked expressions. “It’s our only hope of finding Seven,” he whispered to them, his face pale. “We don’t have a choice.”

“Wonderful!” Oakhammer rasped.

Twelve shivered at how pleased he looked.

“So, boy, why are you here?” Oakhammer asked Six.

Six swallowed his confusion and spoke respectfully. “As I told you, we’re here to find Seven.”

“And who is this Seven?” Another smile scratched over Oakhammer’s face.

“She . . . she’s a fellow huntling,” Six said, stumbling over the words.

“Hmm,” Oakhammer said thoughtfully. “Part of the truth only, I think.”

Twelve could hear Six’s hoarse breathing beside her as Oakhammer’s attention slid away from him and onto her. She stiffened her spine against a lurch of fear, reminding herself she was doing this for Seven.

“Girl,” Oakhammer said, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at her. “So much fire in you! Tell me about this revenge you dream of?”

Five and Six shot puzzled glances at her, but Twelve kept her gaze on Oakhammer, trying to squash her rising fury. “Since you seem to know so much about it, why don’t you tell me?” she called, struggling to keep her voice even.

Oakhammer laughed and Twelve’s skin crawled.

“Very well, I’ll try you, then.” Oakhammer turned to Five, his expression predatory. “Why do you want to be a Hunter?”

Five flinched. “We . . . uh, we aren’t allowed to speak of the past.”

“Oh, but I insist,” Oakhammer said smoothly. “If you refuse, I will have to find a way to encourage you. Maybe I’ll kill that boy next to you.”

A deathly silence fell across the clearing.

“I’m so sorry,” Foxpaw gasped, his eyes wide with shock. “I thought—” His words were cut off as roots tore themselves from the ground to wrap around his mouth. Dark soil spattered across the pristine snow.

Twelve made to move toward him, her hands already reaching for her axes, but the moxie caught her eye and shook his head, his eyes pleading. Beside her, Dog began to growl.

“Now,” Oakhammer said, ignoring everyone but Five, “answer my question.”