“They didn’t do anything to stop the Inquisitors before now,” Ashk said, suddenly feeling like she was standing on a cliff that could crumble beneath her at any moment.

“Did the Fae do anything before now?” Rhyann countered.

“No,” Aiden replied. “To our shame, we did not.”

Rhyann brushed her hair back. “The wiccanfae did not ask for help, and the House of Gaian doesn’t usually interfere in the lives of others.”

Aiden shifted uneasily. “The witches who died by the Black Coats’ hands didn’t ask for help because they didn’t know there was anyone they could ask.”

Rhyann nodded. “They have forgotten much of who and what they are. Just as the Fae have forgotten who and what they are.”

Ashk stiffened. “Meaning?”

Rhyann gave her a considering look. “Do you not know the story of how the Fae came to be? It is an old story. Have your Grandmothers never told you?”

Chills raced through Ashk. “No, I’ve never heard the story. Have you?” She looked at Lyrra, who shook her head.

“Do you know the story?” Aiden asked, leaning forward. “Could you tell us?”

“Do you really want to know?” Rhyann replied.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Ashk wanted to throw another log on the fire, but she doubted it would ease the chill inside her.

“Because you’re the Hunter,” Rhyann said gently.

Ashk twisted around to stare at the witch. “Why would that make a difference? And how did you know?”

Rhyann smiled. “You said the Fae feared you and the Huntress. Since the Huntress is justice and will not harm those who do no harm, you must be the Hunter, the one who rules the Fae.”

“I don’t rule the Fae. Not in the way you mean.”

“Yes, you do. Because the Hunter was the oldest, the strongest, the first. And it was the Hunter’s love of a witch that created the Fae.

Long ago, there was the Great Mother. She was earth and water. She was air and fire. Everything that lived depended on her for food and shelter, and while she was not always benevolent, she was generous with her bounty and the world thrived.

But the animals and birds and creatures of the sea and stream were not the only ones who were nurtured by the Great Mother.There were people who lived in the long ridge of hills, and they had a gift of sensing the Mother in a way other creatures could not. They became Her vessels, drawing in the power of Her branches and breathing it out again. They became the Sons and Daughters of the House of Gaian.