to kill us all,” Lobby muttered.
“We’re not going to die,” Nevis growled. “We just need to increase our number. Once I get a message to Leo, all the kings on the mainland will come here with their forces.”
Bettina’s eyes widened. “You mean there will be a battle?” When Nevis nodded, she asked, “Can you take the young ones to safety before that happens?”
“Of course,” Nevis assured her. “So Cahira lives in the castle with thirty guards. What else can you tell us?”
“The guards have their headquarters at the south end of the garden. There’s also a dormitory there for the Embraced army, along with some practice fields.”
“Ye mentioned a village?” Elinor asked.
“That’s where I live with the other Embraced children,” Bettina replied. “Once the little ones in the castle nursery reach the age of five, they’re moved to the village so they can work.”
Elinor gasped. “Children that young are forced to work?”
Bettina nodded. “The Embraced children live at the village until their powers are manifested. Then Cahira and Kendric decide if their power is good enough for the army.” She ducked her head, blushing. “There are older ones in the village like me. Our powers were deemed worthless.”
“What is yer power?” Elinor asked gently.
Bettina grimaced. “I can communicate with birds.”
“Ah.” Nevis recalled the flock of seagulls on the beach. “That’s how you knew we were here. The birds told you?”
Bettina nodded.
Elinor huffed. “That is not a worthless power.”
“It’s an excellent one,” Nevis agreed. “You have access to a huge network of spies. Cahira was foolish not to realize how valuable you are.”
“Oh.” Bettina’s eyes widened.
“How many soldiers are there in the Embraced army?” Nevis asked.
“Seven,” Bettina replied.
Nevis blinked. “That’s all?”
Elinor gave him a wry look. “Ye wanted more?”
“I feared there would be many more,” Nevis admitted.
Elinor shrugged. “Perhaps there weren’t very many children born in Eberon on the nights the moons embraced. Or it could be that most parents simply lied about the time of their baby’s birth so their babe wouldn’t be taken away from them. I know I would certainly lie in order to keep my child.”
Nevis nodded. “I would, too.” He glanced at Bettina. “So there are only seven.”
Bettina frowned at him. “Seven may not sound like many to you, but with the powers they have, I fear they could destroy a much larger army. And then, there is their general, which brings their number up to eight. But Kendric is rarely on the island.”
“Who is this Kendric?” Nevis asked.
“He’s a powerful shifter,” Bettina replied. “He can take the form of any animal, bird, or person.”
Nevis sat back. The Chameleon. “Is he here now?”
Bettina shook her head, then rose to her feet and picked up her basket. “The sun is almost gone. I can take you to the village now.”
As they followed her, Elinor sidled up close to Nevis. “Can we take the children to my boat? We need to get them away from here as soon as possible.”
Nevis considered. “We should wait a few days. If we do it now, their disappearance will alert the army and they’ll come after us. We won’t be able to help anyone if we’re captured.” He gave her a pointed look. “Speaking of which, I would feel a hell of a lot better if you got away from here. You can take the boat back tonight with Lobby.”
She shook her head. “I’m staying.”
He groaned. “It’s not just for your safety. You need to go back so we can send a warning to Leo.”
She bit her lip. “I’ll think about it.”
By now, the last of the twilight was fading away, and Nevis was grateful Bettina knew where she was going. He never would have found the village in the dark.
At the summit of a hill, he spotted the village. A half dozen torches illuminated a few wooden huts. They headed downhill, then traversed a field of wheat and a vegetable garden.
“That’s the house where the smith lives with the boys.” Bettina motioned to the different buildings. “This is the smithy. And over there is the house where I live with the other girls.”
“Bettina, is that you?” An elderly man stepped out of the smithy, along with two boys and a young woman. “Catriona was just telling me that ye were missing.”
“Bettina!” The young woman ran toward her. “We were worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” Bettina motioned to Nevis and his companions. “I was waiting until it was dark to bring our guests.”
“Who are these strangers?” the younger boy demanded.
“Mind yer manners, Quentin,”