“Yes, sir. The Hunter said to warn the ladies of the house that the fighting has started along the road to the village and the low rise where she sent some of the men this morning. I’m to ride to the camps around here and give the word they’re to come and be quick.”

“Go on then, and be quick yourself,” Liam said. “Ashk didn’t send enough men to hold that rise if the Inquisitors start throwing companies of men at them.”

The Fae rider wheeled his horse and galloped toward the pasture gate. Before any of the boys around the stable could run to open the gate, his horse cleared it and kept running.

Liam stripped off his coat. Pulling Edgar aside, he thrust the coat into the man’s arms. “I want you to stay here.”

“Aye, that’s what I was told when the rest of the men headed out with Varden’s huntsmen this morning.” Edgar smiled grimly. “Everyone agreed we needed one man to stay to keep the boys on their chores, and I drew the short straw.”

In more ways than you know, Liam thought grimly. Keeping his voice low, he said, “Cover the nighthunter with the coat, and make sure it’s completely covered. Then get Breanna into the house.”

Edgar nodded. “I’ll get a hand cart and take the creature away from the house before I bury it.”

“You’ll take kindling and lamp oil with you. After you dig the hole, you put that thing in and burn it before you finish burying it.”

“Burn it!”

Liam gripped Edgar’s arm hard enough to make the other man wince. “Listen to me. That creature, no matter what it once had been, was a nighthunter, and we burn nighthunters. That’s all the ladies need to know. That’s all they ever need to know.”

“All right, Baron. If it’s that important to you, I’ll do just as you say.”

Stepping away from Edgar, he approached Elinore.

“Where’s Keely?” Elinore asked quietly.

Liam swallowed hard. “Keely’s dead.”

Elinore looked at Breanna. “You have to go. I know that. But be careful, Liam. Please be careful. Not just for my sake, but for hers.”

He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back.”

“See that you are. We’ll look after Breanna.”

Since he could think of nothing more to say, he strode to the stables, mounted his horse, and rode away toward the battle.

Chapter 48

waning moon

When they were in sight of the low rise, Ashk and Selena reined in.

Ashk scanned the land in front of her, troubled by the smell of burned meat that hung in the air. There were too many men moving toward the rise for her to see much, but the skittish way they swung around objects caught her attention.

“What’s burning?” Selena asked.