“Chad,” the younger of the two women said, placing a restraining hand on the man’s arm. She studied Rhyann for a moment, then Selena. “What can we offer you, Ladies?”

“Your hospitality for the night, if you’re willing,” Selena said coolly. They’d been met with wariness and suspicion at almost every Old Place they’d been to since leaving home—because of her. Because she looked Fae, and the Fae, for reasons none of the witches in those Old Places understood, were keeping watch in a way that made the witches and the Small Folk uneasy.

“But…wouldn’t you be more comfortable in Tir Alainn?” the woman asked.

“I don’t know,” Selena said. “I’ve never been there. I am Fae because that was my mother’s legacy to me. But I am first, and always, a Daughter of the House of Gaian.”

That startled them.

The older woman, the crone of the family judging by her looks, said hesitantly, “You’re a witch and Fae?”

“Yes.”

A look passed between the two women, while the man watched them anxiously.

“Would you be a Lady of the Moon?” the crone asked.

“I am,” Selena replied.

“You’re gathering with the others to see who will become the Huntress?”

“Yes.”

The crone smiled. “Come in and be welcome, Ladies. Oh, yes, you are welcome.”

As Selena and Rhyann dismounted, the man, who introduced himself as Chad, said, “If you’re easy about it, I can take your horses to the barn and give them a light feed.”

“Is there somewhere they could graze for now?” Rhyann asked.

“Aye, there’s a pasture by the barn. We’ve been keeping the animals close since—” He stopped, his lips pressing together in a tight line.

Since the Fae started arriving, Selena finished. There was anger here, and she was going to find out why. It was becoming clear that the Fae were distrusted and disliked, even feared, and nothing short of desperation was going to make the humans and witches welcome their presence.

“We’ll go with you to the barn,” Selena said. “It will help these two settle in better.”

Chad turned his head, and called, “Parker. Come help with the horses.”

A boy appeared in the doorway. He hesitated for a moment before joining his father. His eyes were wide, his face filled with awed delight.

“Oh, they’re beauties!” Parker said.

Both horses snorted and laid their ears back tight to their heads.

“He was talking about you, not me,” Selena said dryly, resting a hand on Mistrunner’s neck.

The boy said hastily, “Oh, you’re pretty too.” He gave his father an anxious look.