house, startling a hare from the feverfew that dotted the field. Cows lowed nearby and in the distance a dog barked, universal country sounds made ominous by the night. This was particularly true considering the cú sith that had been killed, the shapeshifters and vampires I now knew existed, the wizard I knew was hunting me, and the dragon wyvern that was arguing somewhere behind me. I jogged a little faster.
The general quiet made it impossible to ignore the hurt careening through my mind. I’d never felt so betrayed in all my life. The entire High Council had known I’d fall for one of the men, and both Bahlin and Tarrek had tried to influence me into choosing them. Hellion had left me alone, though Gretta had probably had something to do with that. Who would I have chosen had Tarrek been around? I wondered. Because his absence had made Bahlin’s job a great deal easier. I stumbled to a stop. Tarrek’s absence… What if Bahlin had done away with Tarrek? What if Bahlin had set everything up to make it appear he was innocent when in reality he wasn’t? What if he’d had something to do with the murders? It had been all too easy to not look too closely at him when I was in his bed. But now that that was resolved, I probably needed to think about what he stood to gain. Truthfully I couldn’t get my mind in the game at the moment, so I vowed to consider him carefully after a solid night’s sleep and some emotional distance. Of course, that might mean I didn’t get around to him for months. Speaking of the High Council, though, I was never going to make the meeting. Too bad. They’d just have to understand. I choked a bit, picking up the pace. They’d all been in on the joke. I’m sure they’ll understand just fine when they get a new seer to announce that I’ve been used as predicted, I thought, continuing to berate myself for my stupidity as I jogged on.
I rounded a small hill and saw an overhang of rock as the sky transitioned from spitting a heavy mist to dropping a light rain. Grateful that something had gone right tonight, I sprinted for cover. I bent at the waist, flicking water from my hair and shaking out my jacket before I curled up in a small ball, thankful I wasn’t any more wet that I was. Depression rolled around me like a riptide and pulled me under, forcing me into sleep. And without Bahlin’s heartbeat to soothe me, I dreamed.
“Maddy,” said a soft voice behind me. “Maddy, can you hear me?”
I turned, taking in my surroundings as I sought the familiar voice. I was in the small living area of a crofter’s cottage, and it was dark outside. I could hear the rain pattering on the thatched roof, and it was a comforting, homey sound. The room was warm. I was grateful for the heat emanating from the fireplace. Small wooden furniture dotted the room, and a large quilt-covered bed stood in the corner. I was so tired. I took an involuntary step toward the bed before I remembered the voice. I looked at the table and there he was.
“Tarrek!” I took three large steps toward him.
“Stop,” he commanded, and I froze, my momentum so impeded that I took a stumbling step forward before I could right myself, throwing out my arms to regain my balance.
“What is it?” I asked in an alarmed voice, looking around the room again.
“I must ask you—is Bahlin with you?” Something was off. He seemed different, almost gaunt, and his eyes darted around the room like a cornered animal’s.
“No, he’s not here. Why?” I asked.
“The High Council is no longer safe, Maddy. I must insist you keep our conversation private. I am in Scotland somewhere near Castle Duncan. You must come for me before the new moon rises or all is lost. I do not know…” He looked around me and asked, “If Bahlin is not here, where is he?”
I shrugged, uncomfortable. “We’ve had a bit of a parting of ways.” I looked out the pitch-dark windows. It felt like the night was outside looking in. I shivered despite the heat from the fire.
“What happened?” he asked in a deadly voice. “Tell me.” He slapped his hands on the wooden table hard enough to make the jug on the tabletop skip off the doily.
I jumped. Even in the