Later, the same man came back and told Jaren to follow him. In the daylight, he could make out the size and quality of the house better. Whoever this family was, they must be powerful in some way, because this cottage was far grander than any of the others he’d seen on Endla. Once they were back among the trees, Jaren realized with disappointment that they were returning to the pine grove. He didn’t like that place. It smelled of old blood and had an eerie, watchful feel about it.

The rest of the council was already there when they arrived.

“Did he try anything last night?” Ketty asked the man who was escorting Jaren.

“No. He was quiet as a mouse.”

“Good.” Ketty glared at Jaren and took her place with the rest of the council. “Everyone has been alerted of tonight’s Hunt,” she said. “One member from each family will be permitted to take part. Except for the Hart family,” she added. “My sister and niece will be kept at home, in case they get any ideas about helping the outsider.”

Jaren was glad that Leelo wouldn’t have to see this, but knowing he would not see her even one more time made his chest feel hollow.

“Weapons?” one of the council members asked.

“Bows, knives, and spears will be allowed. No traps or snares, though if the fool should run into one that’s already been set up, that’s his own problem. The first Endlan to draw blood will have the honor of sacrificing the prisoner.”

It was almost impossible to fathom that they were talking about him. He’d never taken part in a hunt before, though his father had, and he could imagine their conversations were very similar to this one. Stepan was a decent hunter considering he’d grown up in a city, but he’d never taken down anything larger than a turkey. Jaren had so many things working against him, he might as well be a slow, injured, flightless bird. At least a turkey could flap into a tree. He doubted the Forest would even grant him access to one.

When they were finished speaking, he was tied to one of the pines, given a waterskin and a chunk of bread, and told they would return at sunset. Exhausted and afraid, Jaren sat down on the Forest floor and waited for his time to die.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Leelo hadn’t slept at all the night before, which had fortunately allowed her to sleep for most of today. She had woken up in the late afternoon, her eyes red, her throat still hoarse from screaming. Fiona tried to get her to eat something, but all Leelo could stomach was a few sips of water. She couldn’t believe how close they’d come to escaping, only to have it snatched away from them by her own family.