“I had a dream that fire had silenced music,” Rhyann said. That’s why I’ve been traveling. I knew I couldn’t stop the fire, but I could help the music.” She smiled at Aiden. “Now my journey is done, so I’ll head north to join Selena.”

Ashk stared at the fire. “I’m to meet her before the full moon.”

Aiden shook his head. “We’ll never make it to Willowsbrook. Since they’re already fighting in the south, we can’t chance using the bridges and the shining roads. We could ride down in the middle of a battle or become trapped if the shining road closes.”

“I know.” Ashk rubbed her hands over her face. “I know. But what choice do we have? There’s no telling how many Clans are left on the eastern side of the Mother’s Hills. If we can’t get huntsmen from the midland Clans to Willowsbrook to fight the third arm of the Inquisitors’ army, they’ll drive right through the center and crush our fighters from behind.”

“In order to drive through the center, they would have to go through the Mother’s Hills,” Rhyann said. “They’ll never get through the hills. But you can use those roads to get to Willowsbrook.”

“I can’t bring an army of Fae through the Mother’s Hills.”

“Why not, since they’re traveling to defend the land?”

“Because your kind have the power to destroy the world!”

Ashk bit her lip. Too tired to be cautious, to walk carefully.

“That’s right,” Rhyann said softly. “We can. That’s why we hold so strongly to our creed to do no harm. But the Mother isn’t always benevolent—and neither are Her Sons and Daughters. If you fear us so much that you’ll stand aside instead of taking a road offered—” She jumped up and turned as if to walk away.

Ashk grabbed Rhyann’s arm and stood up to face her. “I’m tired, and I spoke in haste. And, frankly, having to meet Selena frightens me.”

Rhyann tipped her head. “What is your other form?”

“I’m a shadow hound.”

“So is Selena. So it’s simple, isn’t it? You snarl at her, she snarls at you, and then the two of you go off and bite someone else.”

A laugh burst out of Ashk. “Fair enough. Are you offering to be our escort through the Mother’s Hills?”

“Since it appears I’m going the same way, I could do that.”

They settled back around the fire. This time there was no tension in the silence.

Ashk was about to suggest they turn in when Lyrra said, “If the Hunter is the oldest spirit of the woods, I wonder who the next oldest is?”

“Can’t you guess?” Rhyann replied.

Ashk suddenly felt the darkest shadows of the woods brush against her. She shivered. “The Gatherer. Death’s Mistress.”