Then she saw the black-haired woman race around the side of the manor house and come to an abrupt stop, her attention focused on the woods. Joy lit her face, and her resemblance to Rhyann was strong enough for Ashk to guess her identity. When her attention shifted to the newcomers and the joy faded, there was no doubt in Ashk’s mind that this was the woman who had shaken the Fae enough to come down from Tir Alainn. There was no doubt that the woman now walking toward them was Selena, the Lady of the Moon…and the Huntress.

Ashk walked forward to meet her, aware of the tension starting to fill the people behind her. They stopped at the same time, close enough that one leap in their other forms would have them at each other’s throats.

“I am Ashk, the Hunter,” Ashk said.

Selena studied Ashk, her eyes searching for something. “Shadow hound.”

“Yes.”

They studied each other, searching, measuring—and finally smiling in approval of what each saw in the other.

“Are you being bossy again?” a voice asked.

Ashk clenched her teeth. It had been too much to hope that Rhyann would follow orders—and seeing the temper flash in Selena’s eyes made her wish she could change into her other form and give Rhyann a sharp nip.

“Some people wouldn’t have to be bossy if other people did what they were told,” Selena snapped.

Here, here, Ashk thought, turning enough to see Rhyann walking toward them, followed by Breanna and the others.

“And some people just like being bossy,” Rhyann replied with a sweetness designed to spike another woman’s temper. “I kept my promise to Father. I came to this side of the hills with an entire army as an escort. Who came with you?”

Selena made an indescribable sound.

“There’s an army?” Breanna asked.

“Yes,” Rhyann replied. “Fae, human, and Sons and Daughters of the House of Gaian.” She gave Selena an annoyingly sweet smile. “Why don’t you and the Hunter go discuss whatever you need to discuss, and I’ll help—” She looked inquiringly at Breanna.

“Breanna,” Breanna said.

“I’ll help Breanna sort things out here.”

Mother’s mercy, Ashk thought, wondering how much longer it would be before Selena simply exploded.

But the Huntress gave Ashk a look that could sear flesh and snarled, “I’ll saddle my horse and meet you at the arch near the stables.”

Watching Selena stride toward the stables and the arch, Ashk grabbed Aiden’s arm, pulled him aside, and said in a low voice, “Use your gift, Bard, and smooth things over as best you can here.”

Aiden gave her a weak smile. “I’ll ask Lyrra to join us. She and Breanna deal well together.”