Only when the last of the Murkers had been dispatched, and the three flights of hunters reunited to join the tributes on a slow trudge back to Fourboards, did realization strike. He’d heard about this strange behaviour from the Wild before. Once, a demon had spared his mother. The same demon had also spared Lady Pari Tanzanite, because of a deal made by the traitor, Lord Rochant Sapphire. And Quiverhive’s surveillance of them felt like the sort of thing Rochant would do. Wait, observe, then strike when it would have most impact.

He’d always assumed that Rochant had traded the people of Sorn in exchange for power, but what if the deal had been for more than that? What if he had given the Scuttling Corpseman wisdom as well? Tactical knowledge? What if the attacks on the Ruby were not an anomaly but rather the next step in the Wild’s evolution?

With a sudden, sickening certainty, he knew that he had to get back to his mother, and to the one man with the answers they needed.

CHAPTER TEN

The suns were at their zenith when Varg pulled the wagon to a stop. Pari swung herself out to land lightly on the ground. ‘Such a joy to be mobile again!’ she said aloud. Though it had been a much bumpier journey than the one from Tanzanite to Sapphire lands, she had rather enjoyed her time with Varg. It had been like putting on an old slipper, easy and comfortable.

‘Wait here,’ she said as she looked up at his frowning face. ‘I shan’t be long.’

He grunted acknowledgement. ‘You got your gloves on?’

She held up her hands to display the thick leather. ‘Yes. And my cloak and my boots. And I’ve tucked my trousers into them. I have done this before you know, many times.’

Many times more than you, she added silently.

‘Yeah, I know,’ Varg muttered. ‘It’s just that you’re normally in the back of the wagon or in your armour when you’re out here.’

‘Am I now? And what do you know about what I normally do?’

He waved her away. ‘Forget it. I’ll be here.’

She turned towards the Wild and walked into the trees with a final offended shake of her head. Varg was many things but he was rarely overprotective. This is because of my new body. He’s still thinking of me as the young girl he needs to teach and watch over. Clearly, he’d become attached to Priti. It was inevitable really, beneath his grizzled exterior, Varg was disgustingly soft. Too soft for this world.