He closed his eyes and savored the warmth of Lyrra’s hand on his arm. He didn’t want to give the words power by speaking them out loud. Not yet.

He handed the paper to her. With his eyes closed, the world faded to the sound of the minstrel’s quiet sniffles and Lyrra’s ragged breathing.

At least they didn’t have to choose, Aiden thought. Which was something the young minstrel didn’t fully understand or was too frightened right now to realize. Between Ashk’s demonstration and Selena’s threat, the minstrel had good reason to be frightened.

“Mother’s mercy,” Lyrra finally said.

“You have news, Bard?”

He opened his eyes and looked at Ashk, standing before him, with Morag beside her. He licked his lips. “The Huntress has sent a message to all the Clans. They have until the full moon to send fighters down to Sylvalan to defend it against the Inquisitors’ army. If they don’t defend Sylvalan, she will close the shining roads in a way that won’t destroy Tir Alainn but will lock the Fae out of the human world. Forever.” He glanced at the paper she held in one hand. “And you, Hunter? Have you also had news?”

“The same,” Ashk replied. “With two additions. Having personally witnessed the power the new Lady of the Moon wields, Gwynith believes Selena can do exactly what she says she can do.”

“It’s fortunate the Fae don’t have to choose which of you to obey, since you’re both commanding them to do the same thing,” Morag murmured, echoing Aiden’s thoughts.

“Yes, it is fortunate,” Ashk agreed.

Aiden watched Ashk, a sick feeling in his belly. “What’s the second addition?”

“The Huntress wants to meet me before the full moon. At Willowsbrook.”

Breanna. Mother be merciful. He could imagine how Breanna was going to react to Fae pouring into the Old Place.

“I hope Baron Liam’s brief encounter with the Fae was sufficient to educate him.” Ashk smiled with grim amusement. “It would seem he’s about to have a houseful of unexpected guests.”

Chapter 22

waxing moon

Ubel strode down Seahaven’s waterfront with two hundred of his warriors behind him. They broke off in companies led by captains to swiftly search the warehouses and the ships. Buckets, used as chamberpots, were being emptied over the side in the darkest hours of night. The stench was strong. Ship captains might be able to sneak people into the cargo holds and hide them, but they couldn’t hide the evidence of those people.