“Can it wait a few more days?” Ashk asked. “I still have to ride to the southern part of the Mother’s Hills to give Padrick’s letters to the barons who live near there. I was going to go on to Willowsbrook from there, but if it makes you easier, I’ll go with you to meet the new Huntress.” Ashk forced herself to smile. “And I admit to being curious about her other form.”

“Shadow hound,” Aiden whispered. “She’s a shadow hound.”

Ashk’s smile faded. Being one herself, she knew better than the rest of them how dangerous that form could be. “Then let’s hope the Lightbringer and the Huntress don’t cross paths anytime soon. We can’t afford to have Lucian do something that would turn the Huntress against the Fae.” She gently pulled her hand out of Aiden’s and stood up. “We should retire now. I want to get an early start in the morning. I’d like to reach Willowsbrook before the full moon, which means we have a lot of traveling to do. Bard, I’ll have one of my men inform the bards of your direction. It will make it easier to find you if there are other messages.”

Aiden nodded, getting to his feet slowly.

Ashk led them into the Clan house and saw them all to their rooms before slipping into Morag’s room to check on her. Satisfied that Morag would get a good night’s rest, she went to her own room and stared out the window for a long time.

A Daughter of the House of Gaian as the Lady of the Moon. A shadow hound as the Huntress.

Great Mother, let me hear from Gwynith soon. She’ll tell me more of what I need to know than all the bards put together. Because Selena will either be a very good friend for the battles ahead…or a very dangerous enemy.

Chapter 15

waxing moon

Jenny stood at the bow of the small ship and watched Selkie Island grow larger. Perhaps she was being foolish to come here. Cordell had told her the Lord of the Selkies and his people on the island were keeping a sharp eye on any ships sailing north to the western coast of Sylvalan. But as each day passed without word from Mihail, she became more fearful. Was he waiting at sea somewhere, hoping other ships that belonged to the family made it to open water? Had he tried to go back to Durham for any family members who were unable to find a way out of the city?

What about the ones who were going overland to Willows-brook? Had they arrived safely? Were they still safe?

“Not as fine a harbor as we’ve got at Sealand,” the ship’s captain said as he came to stand beside her. “But it suits them here.”