“Ah,” the wight said. “You knew it was us. Splendid. We’ve come to fill you in.” Willow flitted around until they hung in the air above the knight’s shoulder. “We’ve been around here for a long time. Maybe even since the very, very beginning. Since before the beginning.” Willow paused. “We’re fond of Rookskill.”

Isaac waited. “So?”

“So . . . even though Rookskill is in trouble, it’s time for you to use that watch in your pocket again.”

“But isn’t there something I should do here? What happened to Colin? Is he going to be all right?”

“Ugh,” Willow said. “We saw Colin skulking through the hallways. What’s happened to him is unpleasant.”

“Yes,” Isaac said, impatient, “but you have not answered me.”

“He’ll survive. They all will. We think.”

Isaac’s skin crawled. “You think?”

“A fae has taken Colin’s form. One of the things fae can do is shapeshift.” Willow paused. “As you should know.”

“Me?”

“It was one of the first things we noticed about you, remember? You can shapeshift or disappear when you’re scared.”

Isaac was taken aback. “Wait. That’s what I did when I disappeared?” He pressed his free hand on the pendant.

“You haven’t figured it out yet, have you?” Willow came down right in front of Isaac’s face. “It’s time. Time for you to go and find the last bit of instruction. Before it’s too late. Before they . . .” Willow gurgled.

“They are here, then. The hunters. The sluagh,” Isaac ended with a whisper.

“Ssh! Don’t use that word. Even in the armory.” Willow shifted and, if they could, would have looked miserable. “We’re magical, yes. We owe loyalty to magical beings. But those evil fae? We don’t go around trying to get rid of humans. What would be the fun in that? Whom would we tease? What could we steal if there were no humans left to steal from? Wights love being nasty. But we are not . . . them.” Willow paused.

The wight continued. “Listen carefully. Not all the evil magic surrounding Rookskill has been made by the Unseelie fae. Some of the magic—the storm, the wolves, the trees that walk—has been brought here by a much older creature, sad and desperate.” Willow sighed. “A wraith has brought primal magic to Rookskill. Magic that has little to do with you, Isaac Wolf, though it’s been made stronger by your amplifying presence.”

“Another magic? Primal magic?” Isaac put his hand to his forehead. He wanted to shrink away. “Willow, what if my gifts are not enough?” Isaac closed his eyes. He asked, “What will happen to the others, to Leo, Kat, and Ame? Will Colin be all right? What has happened to Miss Gumble? What about MacLarren? This is my fault.”