“You said it was a pissing contest,” Liam said. “But are there witches in the Mother’s Hills who really could summon a wind like that or bring the sea so far inland?” You’re drunk, laddy-boy. But he sobered up second by second as he saw both women go absolutely still.

“Not among my kin, no,” Breanna said carefully. “At least…I don’t think so.”

“There are some questions it is best not to ask about the House of Gaian,” Gwenn whispered.

Donovan slowly rose to his feet. “Gwenn?”

She shook her head, then began rubbing her hands over her upper arms, as if suddenly chilled.

“There are Crones,” Gwenn said reluctantly, “who know the old magic. Things the rest of us never learn. They are very powerful. You didn’t meet any of them.”

Liam glanced over at Donovan and saw him swallow hard. Mother’s mercy. Donovan had obviously been awed by those he had met—and now Gwenn was telling him there were others even more powerful?

“Mostly they teach,” Gwenn continued. “They teach the strongest and the best, the ones whose hearts embrace our creed. The ones who also have the temper to use that power if it’s needed.”

“We need allies, Gwenn,” Donovan said softly. “I don’t think my people can stop the Inquisitors. Not alone.”

“That’s why Gwenn needs to come to the Old Place this evening,” Breanna said. She held up a small piece of paper. “Rory brought this a short while ago. It’s from my cousin Skelly. He says something is happening tonight, and we need to stay aware for whatever might be written on water, whispered on the wind.”

“What’s tonight?” Liam asked.

“The new moon rises,” Gwenn replied, still rubbing her arms.

“Whatever it is, the House of Gaian is paying heed,” Breanna added. “So whatever happens tonight could change everything.”

Liam rose, then walked slowly to the door. “Let me see if the cook has the means of providing a meal for all of us. Then we can ride out to the Old Place.”

Breanna nodded.

As he stepped into the hallway, he heard Gwenn say quietly, “I met two of them a few years ago, when I studied for a while in the Mother’s Hills. Two who were being instructed by the Crones. They are too strongly trained in the creed, as the most powerful of us must be, to ever strike first, but may the Mother have mercy on anyone foolish enough to provoke Selena or Rhyann into striking back.”

Chapter 10

new moon