Falco made a disparaging sound. “Because the game that fills the tables in Tir Alainn comes from the human world. Because we keep few animals except our horses and the shadow hounds. Some chickens for eggs, a few cows for milk. But not enough, if that’s all there was. Perhaps enough to survive, but not live easily…or well. So it comes down to the Fae once again looking out for themselves.”

“To someone else’s benefit as well,” Varden said angrily.

“Have you—any of you—seen what the Inquisitors do to witches?” Liam asked softly.

Varden hesitated, then shook his head.

“I have. Some nights, what I saw in those Old Places comes back in dreams that are almost more than I can stand. So I don’t care why you’re here, Fae Lord. I’ll take the help. I’ll take whatever skills your people have that will help us stop the pain and the slaughter and drive the Inquisitors out of our land. Saving our world is the only way you’ll save your own.”

Varden said nothing. Then, “There’s a rumor that the Hunter has reappeared and is heading east…with the Gatherer. If that rumor is true, I tell you this, gentry Lord. I would rather face these Black Coats than the Hunter.” He hesitated before adding, “With your permission—and yours, Lady—we will ride out now to become more familiar with the land.”

Since Breanna still seemed stunned by the news that a witch could actually do what she’d bluffed the Lightbringer into believing a witch could do, Liam nodded his assent.

After the Fae rode off, Donovan whistled softly. “Mother be merciful, Liam. Even if we only get help from a few of the Clans, we stand a better chance than we did an hour ago.”

“I know.” Now that the Fae were gone, he noticed how pale Falco looked. Couldn’t blame the man. He hadn’t been sleeping easy after learning there were witches out there more powerful than Breanna and Gwenn, who he thought were quite powerful enough. Since Falco would have to work through his own feelings, Liam rested a hand on Breanna’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

She just blinked at him, as if she were trying to get the world back into focus. Then she blew out a breath and bent to pick up her bow and arrow. When she straightened, she looked at the woods. “The Huntress, the Hunter, and the Gatherer.”

“Sounds like the title of a play the Muse would create, doesn’t it?” Gwenn let out a little grunt as Donovan finally wrestled the fireplace poker out of her hand.

“Yes, it does,” Breanna replied. “If they do come together, at least we won’t be sitting in the front row.”

Chapter 18

waxing moon

Smiling, Adolfo watched through the bars of the locked door.