“No, they just don’t feel like they’ve lost as much as you,” she said. “They were just trying their luck with Rinnie. Seeing what you’d let them get away with. But you,” she narrowed her eyes, “you’ve been enjoying her for years and now you can’t touch her. And you so like getting your way. It drives you crazy you can’t have her anymore.”

His face had turned red. “Shut your mouth,” he growled, “or I’ll—”

“Your own daughter,” she threw at him. “You come up here calling her ‘my little Rinnie’ like she’s some innocent child you love and protect. She stopped being an innocent child the first time she realized her own father was the man most likely to harm her.”

The other men were eyeing their leader uneasily now. Emerahl was not sure if their discomfort was from what she accused Rinnie’s father of, or because they had known what he was doing to his daughter and hadn’t stopped him. Erine, aware of their stares, controlled himself with an effort.

“Did she tell you that, you foolish old woman? She’s been making up such stories for years. Always looking for—”

“No, she didn’t,” Emerahl replied. She tapped her head. “I can see the truth, even when people don’t want me to.”

Which was not true; she hadn’t read the girl’s mind. Her skill in mind-reading was nothing like it had once been. All Gifts needed to be practiced and she had lived in isolation for too long.

But her words had the desired effect. The other men exchanged glances, some regarding Erine with narrowed eyes.

“We don’t want your lies or your cursed sorceries anymore,” Erine growled. He took a step forward. “I’m ordering you to leave.”

Emerahl smiled and crossed her arms. “No.”

“I am Head of Corel and—”

“Corel is down there.” She pointed. “I have lived here since before your grandfathers’ fathers built their first shack. You have no authority over me.”

Erine laughed. “You’re old, but you’re not that old.” He looked at his companions. “See how she lies?” He turned back. “The village doesn’t want you harmed. They want to give you the chance to pack up and leave in peace. If you’re still here when we come back in a few days, don’t expect us to be nice about it.”

At that, he turned and stalked away, gesturing for the others to follow. Emerahl sighed. Fools. They’ll come back and I’ll have to teach them the same lesson I taught their great-grandfathers. They’ll sulk for a while and try to starve me out. I’ll miss the vegetables and bread, and I’ll have to go fishing again, but in time they’ll forget and come looking for help once more.