“Speaking of dangerous times,” Nightwalker said, breaking into Raisa’s thoughts, “Elena Cennestre tells me that Fire Dancer is here at Marisa Pines. Is that a good idea—to host two jinxflingers in camp at once? Especially given all that’s happened already. I understood that Dancer was to stay in the flatlands and continue his studies when Hunts Alone returned home.”

“I can’t speak to that since I’ve just heard about this plan for the Demonai to train up wizards,” Raisa said dryly.

“It was Lightfoot and Elena Cennestre,” Nightwalker said. “They did it without my knowledge. I found out about it only by chance. Briar Rose, it is risky to recruit jinxflingers to fight jinxflingers. Fire Dancer should adhere to the bargain that was struck.”

“My cousin Dancer is Marisa Pines bred,” Night Bird said. “And that is the extent of his obligation.”

Startled, Raisa and Nightwalker swiveled to face her.

“As son of the matriarch, Willo Watersong, Dancer doesn’t answer to Elena Cennestre or Lord Averill,” Bird went on. “Unlike Hunts Alone, he made no bargain with the Demonai. Although he’s agreed to work with us, he does so on his own terms. When Fire Dancer learned that Hunts Alone had been recalled to the Fells, nothing I said could keep him in the flatlands.”

“Then you should not have told Fire Dancer that Hunts Alone had been recalled,” Nightwalker said, lips tightening in annoyance. “I still don’t understand why you did that.”

“I have known Fire Dancer since we were lytlings,” Night Bird said, putting her hand on Nightwalker’s arm. “I trust him. He is someone that we want to have on our side.”

The girl is different than last time I saw her, Raisa thought. She’s less bedazzled by Nightwalker. She’s speaking up more.

“Under the terms of the Nǽming, wizards are not allowed in the Spirits,” Nightwalker said. “It is an accommodation to have them here at all.”

“Even though Hunts Alone saved my life?” Raisa said.

Nightwalker rolled his eyes. “If it’s even true, then the jinxflinger is merely keeping his end of the bargain.”

“What do you mean if it’s true?” Raisa shivered and pulled her jacket closer around her shoulders.

“Don’t you think it’s an odd coincidence that he just happened along when you were under attack?” Nightwalker said. “It’s almost as if it had been planned that way. And what better way to win your trust?”

“What are you saying?” Raisa knew perfectly well what he was saying, but she wanted him to articulate it clearly.

“Is it really believable that he could pluck you away from a crowd of assassins and emerge unscathed himself?” Nightwalker shrugged as if to say, Believe what you will, but…

“He wasn’t unscathed,” Raisa retorted. “He used high magic to turn the poison. He’s been deathly ill for days from the effects of it.”