That was the crux of it, wasn’t it? No one really knew much about the witches who ruled the Mother’s Hills. But Padrick had met a few of them when he’d traveled through the hills after seeing Baron Liam of Willowsbrook safely home. And Aiden and Lyrra had gone through the hills to head west in search of the Hunter. None of the travelers had come to harm, and yet…

She had to be strong. She had to stand and be strong. Now more than ever.

“The new Huntress is a witch?” Lyrra asked, her voice full of disbelief. “How?”

“She’s a Fae Lady of the Moon as well as a witch,” Aiden said sharply. “The gift accepted her.” He laid a hand on Lyrra’s arm. “I know you’re annoyed with me for not telling you before the others. Most likely, I would have felt the same way. But, please, Lyrra. Please listen.”

Lyrra looked down at his hand. “You’re shaking. Why are you shaking?” She studied his face closely, the Muse’s annoyance with the Bard forgotten.

“The new Huntress wants to see the Bard—and I’m afraid.”

Ashk felt her heart leap against her chest. “What haven’t you told us yet, Aiden?” She knelt in front of him, took his other hand. “You went through the Mother’s Hills. You met some of the witches there.”

Aiden closed his eyes. His fingers curled tightly around Ashk’s hand. “Not like her.”

They all waited, no longer impatient for news.

Finally, Ashk asked softly, “What happened to Dianna?”

Aiden made a sound that might have been a bitter laugh. “Oh. Well. Dianna. She refused to accept a half-breed witch as her successor, despite it being clear that Selena was so much more powerful than Dianna could ever dream of being. Everything was fine until Dianna challenged Selena after Selena ascended and became the Lady of the Moon. It…provoked…the new Huntress into showing the Fae who now rules them.” He opened his eyes and looked at Ashk. “She summoned a storm. She summoned fire. And when her horse tried to get through the wall of fire to reach her, she created a bridge out of moonlight for him.”

“Mother’s mercy,” Ashk said, sinking back on her heels. “Were the other Ladies of the Moon harmed?” Gwynith. Why hadn’t she heard from Gwynith?

“I don’t think so. The bards who were witnesses at the clearing sent out the news as fast as they could, and I don’t think they conveyed everything they knew.”

“If she wants to see you, where are you supposed to meet her?” Lyrra asked worriedly.

“I don’t know. I know where the Ladies had gathered, but I don’t know if the Huntress remained with the Clan connected to that Old Place.”