She raised her arm, and her hand swung like a compass needle until it was aligned with the core of that power. “Somewhere in that direction. That’s where the Fae will gather. That’s where the power is gathering.”

Rhyann frowned at her. “What does it feel like?”

Selena lowered her arm. “Heavy. Full.”

“And how do you feel?”

Ripe. Juicy. Swollen with desire. For what, I’m not even sure. The power calls me. I have to answer.

“Selena?”

She saw the fierce concern in Rhyann’s eyes. They had lived in the same house, had argued and laughed and cried together for years. In another day or two, they would separate to follow their own life journeys, and things would never be the same again. “I’m going to miss you, little sister.”

“We have some time left,” Rhyann said quietly. “Tonight is still the dark of the moon.”

Selena shook her head. “Endings and beginnings. Tomorrow the new moon rises, and the Fae will gather for whatever will come.”

“These tests or challenges or whatever they’re called always happen at the full moon. That’s the way it goes in the stories we’ve heard about the Fae.”

“Not this time. The power will rise with the new moon. I feel it.” Selena sighed. She was nervous, even a little frightened. Her face and her ability to change into another form were all she had in common with the Fae, all that made her one of them. She didn’t know the ceremonies or rituals that were used for these tests of power. The Fae would surely realize that, resent that. And yet, if she did become the Lady of the Moon, the Fae would be hers to command—and their strength, combined with human and witch, might be enough to save all of Sylvalan’s people from destruction.

It always came down to that need, to defend the Great Mother and protect all Her children from those who would destroy and devour. So she would find her courage, swallow her fear, and meet the Fae tomorrow night. Besides, she wasn’t sure if the power that had drawn her there would let her walk away.

“Come on,” she said, gathering the reins. “Let’s pay our respects to the Daughters who live here and beg some hospitality.”

Before Rhyann could reply, Mistrunner snorted softly and Fox, Rhyann’s dark horse, stamped a foot as if in agreement.

The women looked at each other and shrugged. Both horses were almost too intelligent for comfort, as well as stubborn when something wasn’t to their liking, but those traits had been the reason why Selena had been able to talk her father out of hiring men to escort them on this journey.