any mention of Eve’s role and the Maker. As long as she was kept safe, I was willing to take the risk. Anyway, it was important to give something when you wanted something.
As I spoke, the Alpha’s eyes grew more shadowed. “A Moon Stone, you say?”
“Aye. One that was taken centuries ago from its resting place on Wyre.”
Fiona’s lips twisted. “Bastards.”
“What was taken from the stone circle today?” I asked. “We heard about a theft, but we couldn’t get close enough to see.”
She frowned. “You’re a coincidence that I wasn’t expecting.”
“I don’t think any of this is coincidence,” Eve said.
Fiona nodded. “I think you’re right.” She leaned back in her chair. “Another Moon Stone was stolen from us.”
Shock lanced me. “What?”
“Weren't expecting that, were you?”
“No. Though perhaps I should have been.” I frowned. “Did you know it was buried there?”
“We did. Never disturbed it, though, as it wasn’t ours to disturb.”
“The woman I spoke to said it was your turf,” Eve remarked.
Fiona nodded. “Aye. As Alpha, I’m steward of that circle. But it’s an ancient heritage site. More importantly, it’s not our ancient heritage site. We have no right to it or its contents, but we do have a responsibility to protect it.” She grimaced. “We failed, victim of a threat we didn’t see coming.”
Her words about rights and responsibilities spoke to me. For all her ruthlessness and cunning, she could be trusted.
“What do you mean, it’s not your heritage?” Eve said. “Because it belongs to people who came before your ancestors?”
The woman nodded. “The circle was built by people who lived here thousands upon thousands of years ago. They’re closer relations to me than the ancient wolves who buried the Moon Stone there a thousand years ago.”
“The Vikings?” she asked.
“Yes.” Fiona gestured to the people in the room, then toward the windows. “The people on these islands are descendants of the Vikings and Scots who lived here over the last centuries. It’s why we’re burning that boat tonight—remembering our heritage. But the people who buried the Moon Stone at the circle were different.”
“Different how?”
“They were Vikings, yes. But they were a species of wolf unlike any that has been seen in these parts for nearly six hundred years.”
“Extinct?” I frowned. The old man on Wyre had said they were gone, but not extinct. “A breed of shifters who’ve been totally eradicated?”
She nodded. “That’s what we believe, yes. They came over here with the rest of the Vikings in the eighth century. My ancestors. And for some reason, they took a liking to that ancient circle and buried their Moon Stone there. Carved their images on the stones as well.”
“But they’ve been gone for hundreds of years,” Eve said. “Why?”
Fiona shrugged. “That, I do not know. What we have are stories passed down through the years, along with what has been written on the stones—much of it in a language we can’t read.”
Fates, this was getting twisty.
The faint sound of bells pealed outside, and Fiona stood. “That’s my cue. It’s time to light up the boat.”
I stood, frowning. There were still more questions.
Fiona could clearly see it in my face, as she raised her hand. “Not now. We’ve waited all year to light this damned thing on fire. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have something to show you. It’s best to see it at dawn, anyway.”
“Thank you.” Eve stood. “Truly.”
She nodded. “I meant it when I said accommodation is impossible to find. Do you have a place to stay tonight?”
“We do not,” I replied.
“There’s a garret at the top of this building. It’s yours if you want it. There’s a good view of the festival from the window, in fact.”
“Thank you.” I inclined my head to her. “We owe you.”
“I’ll be sure to collect. But in the meantime, plan to meet on the street out front, an hour before dawn. Don’t be late.” Without a backward glance, she swept from the room. Her pack followed her, leaving us alone.
I turned to Eve. “Shall we go watch this festival from the window?”
She nodded. “Let’s. Dawn will come early.”
9
Eve
* * *
Together, Lachlan and I made our way to the stairs that led to the top of the building. We passed a little toilet on the floor below. The tiny flat held only a bed and a counter with a sink.
I faltered when I entered and stared at the small bed. It was a double mattress, at best. How the hell were we both going to fit?
A glow from the single window caught my attention,