Summoning her courage, she glanced behind her. How close was he now?

Her heart swooped. There was nothing there. Lily slowed Morrigan and stretched her neck around, trying to squint through the rain and the darkness to identify their moorland stalker, but they were alone.

Entirely alone.

Chapter Eight

‘She’s important, that’s all Winter said. She doesn’t want her harmed. We’ll have to think of an excuse for her bruised face, ’cause I don’t know about you but I don’t much fancy ending up on Winter’s bad side.’

Alice had regained consciousness but was careful not to open her eyes. She was sure that she was the subject of interest for whomever it was that was talking. If she stayed still and quiet, pretending to be lifeless, she might be able to garner some information on where she was going and why she had been kidnapped.

Everything still felt woolly, as if the whole world was wrapped in furs, muffling everything. Every sound, every emotion, every feeling. But she was sure now that the woollen bag over her head had been removed, and that the woolly-feeling stemmed from the pain that pulsed through her head.

She had to make a concerted effort to focus on the voices. Alice almost flinched when she felt a dampness pressed to her forehead, perilously close to the throbbing pain in her temple where she had been knocked unconscious. Had that happened earlier that day or had she been out cold for longer than that? The empty feeling in her stomach told her that she hadn’t eaten in a long time, but she couldn’t be sure how long.

The dampness on her head returned but this time it was gentle. Alice realised that someone was mopping her forehead, keeping her cool, making sure she didn’t catch a fever. That person spoke next:

‘She’s young, though,’ the voice said. It was a deep, strong voice, but Alice couldn’t pinpoint from where the accent originated. ‘She must be the same age as me, or a year or so younger. Why did we have to take her by force? I’m sure she would have come willingly…’ The voice stumbled and petered out.

‘Don’t go getting sentimental about her. Just because you’re a Protector doesn’t mean you have to protect everyone. Don’t waste your energy.’

‘But what if I could convince the priestess to let me care for her? At least until she gets a bit stronger, and then maybe I could train with her. I could help her find the strength to get through this.’ The girl mopping Alice’s head continued, ‘I got through it, didn’t I? I may not have been training to use magic, but Protector training is just as brutal, if not more so.’

‘Don’t start,’ the other voice warned. The first speaker sighed and Alice felt the breath brush her cheek. The conversation seemed to be over and a silence fell. Alice could still feel the rumbling of the wheels beneath her and tried to focus on the rhythmic beat of the horse’s hooves to keep her present. She had learned very little from the conversation, but what she did learn was that she was needed for something. Something important and something for which she needed to train.