There was no plan. She’d only known that this might be the only chance she got. She’d go ashore in the darkness and keep to the shadows. If she were spotted, she’d run. She was faster than any land horse that had ever lived. It was worth the risk.

She’d thought also of coming ashore and taking human shape, but that still posed the problem of having no clothes. Hæra’s human form wasn’t strictly human, per se—she was just as invulnerable to the cold as she was in her real form and didn’t need coverings to keep warm. But actual humans did, and she’d attract attention if she walked around without insulation.

Besides, although she knew how to transform in theory, she hadn’t done it yet. As Hæra understood it, it was an instinctive process, powered by will. It couldn’t be that difficult, but it would take practice to walk gracefully on two legs.

Or it would have done, if Sister Madeleine weren’t heading right toward her. It seemed Hæra wouldn’t have to come ashore or transform. She just had to call out again.

Although…that was much riskier here, so close to the dwellings. Night it might be, but humans were often roaming around. Sometimes they had animal companions who were more perceptive than they. The last thing Hæra needed was a noisy dog drawing attention to her. It would be better to wait for Sister Madeleine to go somewhere quieter and more solitary, like that beach.

That was, if Sister Madeleine was going to the beach. She could change direction, and if she did, Hæra might never see her again, and the Great Mare would never bestow another favor on one who so foolishly threw away a gift.

Near to where Sister Madeleine walked, a set of stone steps led down from the seawall to a small, old wooden dock. Currently, the dock’s only occupant was a shabby, tiny boat. It would be simplicity itself to swim beneath the dock, hide there, and call again to Sister Madeleine. Then, Sister Madeleine would investigate. She couldn’t not. She’d been curious on the beach.

Hæra snorted in amusement as she ducked below the surface and swam for the dock. Sister Madeleine had spoken of a “calling” that had guided her to her current life. It seemed appropriate that a second calling would remove her from it. Considering how she’d described her days, Hæra would be doing her a favor.

Come to me. She swam, curling around the current as easily as an eel. Come to me. I’ll devour you, you’ll become part of me, and we’ll fly for centuries. Together.