As if coming out of some kind of scarlet-stained trance, Leelo sank to her knees, exhausted. For all her effort, the tree showed little wounding, just a few patches of pale wood exposed by the blade, an errant splinter or two.

Tate was gone, and she had to accept it. From now on, she would put her mother and herself first. Fiona’s health would be her main priority, and while she would do her chores and her Watcher duty because Fiona would want her to, she wouldn’t attend the ceremonies anymore. Even if it cost her everything else. Even if it cost her Sage.

And because she still couldn’t release the song in her throat, Leelo threw back her head and screamed.

Chapter Sixteen

Jaren didn’t see Lupin after their conversation, but once word got out about their private stroll in the woods—thanks to Story, he assumed, although she wouldn’t admit it—the gossipmongers of Bricklebury made sure that Jaren and Lupin were associated regardless. Everywhere he walked, whispers and giggles followed in his wake. He hadn’t shown his face at the pub in days, not since the last time he’d gone and Lars had waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“I still don’t understand why you don’t like her,” Story said as they worked side by side in the garden behind their house. “She’s a very pretty girl. Too pretty for you, some might say.”

Jaren flicked a clod of soil at his sister. “It has nothing to do with how pretty she is. She’s just...odd.”

“Why? Because she’s from Endla?”

He shook his head in frustration. “It’s not that at all. She said the Forest there is evil. That it eats people, like it’s a wolf or a bear or a—”

“A monster?”

“Yes! And it was clear she wasn’t trying to scare me.” She had accomplished that by flirting with him. “It was like she really believed everything she was saying.”

Story carefully placed two carrot seeds in each little well she’d dug. “Why would she lie about it?”

“She wasn’t lying. That’s what I’m saying. I think she may have lost her senses a bit when she was exiled. And I don’t blame her for that. She was a child.”

“Well, you don’t have to court her. But it’s not going to look good for her, or you, if you don’t at least make a show of it for a little while. People think you two were doing more than strolling, if you know what I mean.”