Beatrix is up to, Gemma. Nothing. And you’re the only one I can trust to get it done. But remember what I told you. Killing Beatrix isn’t your goal. Finding out what she’s doing and stopping it is. Do you understand?”
“You’re serious. You don’t want me to go with you.”
“I’d love for you to come with me.”
“Good, then—”
“But I know what my instincts are telling me. What they’re screaming at me. If we wait on this, it’s a mistake.”
“I . . . uh . . . was going to set off in a few days.”
“Leave now. When we do. Tonight.”
Gemma closed her eyes, cracked her neck. She silently reminded herself that Keeley was queen; that Keeley leads. And all Gemma had to do as a war monk, a princess, and even a younger sister was to follow Keeley’s orders. No matter how ridiculous those orders might be!
“Fine. And who’s going with you?”
“My army. The centaurs.”
“And?” Gemma pushed.
“Ragna invited herself earlier in the day.”
“And you didn’t think I’d take that personally?”
“It was the only way the bitch would agree to leave your war monks here to protect the other sects.”
“At least agree to let my battle-cohorts go with you. I want them watching your back.”
“Do I have to talk to them?”
“After the death-cult discussion? No.”
“That’s fine then. But Keran stays behind to watch out for the family. If nothing else, she won’t let Archie mercy-kill the children when Mum and Da’s backs are turned.”
“Good plan. I’ll get everyone ready.”
When Gemma reached the bedroom door, Keeley was suddenly there, wrapping her arms around her.
“What are you doing?” Gemma asked, unable to keep the wary tone out of her voice.
“Hugging you.”
“Are you that sure I’m going to die?”
“No, but . . .”
“But? There’s a but?”
Keeley swung Gemma around and grabbed her by the shoulders. “No matter what happens in that castle. No matter what Beatrix is up to or what she says to piss you the fuck off, I want you to get out of there alive. Do you understand me? Are you listening?”
“Yes, I’m listening. I’m just not sure what you’re talking about.”
“You always think you want to kill Beatrix. But nothing would bring her more joy in this world . . . than to kill you.” Keeley rested her hand against Gemma’s cheek. “Don’t let her.”
CHAPTER 24
Gemma took Dagger’s reins from Samuel and told him again, “You’re not coming.”
“But—”
“Not this time. Not where I’m going.” She smiled at him. “But thank you.”
She led Dagger toward the stable doors, stopping when Ima and Wassa stepped in front of her.
“Well?” Ima asked.
“Well what?”
“Well—oh, gods!”
A seemingly normal-looking Kriegszorn rammed into Dagger, slamming him against the stable door with her front hooves and roaring at the poor horse.
“Kriegszorn, no!” Gemma bellowed.
Fangs out, ready to tear out Dagger’s throat, the horse looked at Gemma over her shoulder.
“Let him go. Right now. Let him go.”
She moved away from Dagger and dropped her front legs onto the ground.
“Samuel!”
Cautiously, Gemma’s onetime squire eased up to them and took Dagger’s reins back from Gemma. He clicked his tongue against his teeth and poor Dagger limped off.
Ima cleared her throat. “Uh . . . well, we did our best. As you can see, we managed to cover her dead side pretty well.”
“How?”
“Used some of the skin from her other side. We noticed it restores dead flowers and grass around the ring so we thought it might work with her skin too. So far, so good. Um . . . it does not work on her attitude, however. As we all can see.”
“She’s just jealous,” Gemma guessed. “She used to get that way sometimes when she was . . . normal. I’ll ride her on this mission.”
Wassa grimaced a bit. “Sure that’s a good idea?”
“No, but you’ll be coming with us. So if it’s a mistake, you’ll be there to experience it with me.” She gave them a smile that she could tell neither liked, which she completely understood.
“Samuel!” she called out again. “Bring me my saddle. I want to see how it looks on Kriegszorn.”
* * *
Keeley and her army rode out three hours before dawn. Gemma’s team rode with them, each member discreetly splitting off from the main force when each person could do so without being noticed. They rode through a nearby forest until they could regroup behind a hill line without being seen.
As planned, Gemma’s team was made up of the two priests, Balla and her assistant, the two remaining witches—who seemed grateful no one appeared to be