The House Of Gaian

you?” She threw up her hands, a gesture of sheer exasperation. “
    Didn’t I promise Falco and Varden I wouldn’t threaten to shoot any Fae just for riding into the Old Place? They said it made the Fae nervous.”
    “That’s because they’ve seen you shoot,” the man who had followed her said.
    Breanna twisted around to look at him. “I’m a good shot!”
    “Exactly.” He looked at the two barons. “Good day, gentlemen.”
    “Good day, Baron Donovan,” one of the barons replied. “I’m surprised, but pleased, to see you here.”
    “The fight is here,” Donovan said grimly. “And the Master Inquisitor is heading for Willowsbrook, so we win or lose here.”
    “We must talk with Baron Liam as soon as possible,” the other baron said.
    Donovan rubbed the back of his neck. “Liam is involved in a rather... delicate ... discussion at the moment.”
    Breanna snorted. “What Donovan is trying to say is my featherheaded jackass of a brother is having a bang-up argument with the Huntress over something that is none of his business.” She paused, then added, “It isn’t any of Selena’s business, either, but since she’s on my side, she can say what she pleases.”
    The other woman snickered.
    “Gwenn,” Donovan warned.
    The muscles in Ashk’s back tightened painfully. “The Baron of Willowsbrook is having an argument with the Huntress?”
    “You’d think he’d have better things to do, wouldn’t you?” Breanna said sourly.
    She would have hoped a baron would have more sense. Perhaps he didn’t realize the kind of power the Huntress wielded— in which case, someone should tell him. Fast.
    Before she could phrase a request that someone inform the Huntress that the Hunter had arrived, a soft wind blew out of the woods, riffling the grass and dancing past the leaves on the big tree.
    Breanna snapped to attention. “Gwenn?”
    “Yes,” Gwenn replied softly. “I think so.”
    Her patience worn thin, Ashk dismounted, prepared to insist that they discuss where the army waiting for orders could make camp.

    Then she saw the black-haired woman race around the side of the manor house and come to an abrupt stop, her attention focused on the woods. Joy lit her face, and her resemblance to Rhyann was strong enough for Ashk to guess her identity. When her attention shifted to the newcomers and the joy faded, there was no doubt in Ashk’s mind that this was the woman who had shaken the Fae enough to come down from Tir Alainn. There was no doubt that the woman now walking toward them was Selena, the Lady of the Moon ... and the Huntress.
    Ashk walked forward to meet her, aware of the tension starting to fill the people behind her. They stopped at the same time, close enough that one leap in their other forms would have them at each other’
    s throats.
    “I am Ashk, the Hunter,” Ashk said.
    Selena studied Ashk, her eyes searching for something. “Shadow hound.”
    “Yes.”
    They studied each other, searching, measuring—and finally smiling in approval of what each saw in the other.
    “Are you being bossy again?” a voice asked.
    Ashk clenched her teeth. It had been too much to hope that Rhyann would follow orders—and seeing the temper flash in Selena’s eyes made her wish she could change into her other form and give Rhyann a sharp nip.
    “Some people wouldn’t have to be bossy if other people did what they were told,” Selena snapped.
    Here, here , Ashk thought, turning enough to see Rhyann walking toward them, followed by Breanna and the others.
    “And some people just like being bossy,” Rhyann replied with a sweetness designed to spike another woman’s temper. “I kept my promise to Father. I came to this side of the hills with an entire army as an escort. Who came with you?”
    Selena made an indescribable sound.
    “There’s an army?” Breanna asked.
    “Yes,” Rhyann replied. “Fae, human, and Sons and Daughters of the House of Gaian.” She gave Selena an annoyingly sweet smile. “Why don‘t you and the Hunter go discuss whatever you need to discuss, and I’ll help—” She looked inquiringly at Breanna.
    “Breanna,” Breanna said.
    “I’ll help Breanna sort things out here.”
    Mother’s mercy , Ashk thought, wondering how much longer it would be before Selena simply exploded.
    But the Huntress gave Ashk a look that could sear flesh and snarled, “I’ll saddle my horse and meet you at the arch near the stables.”
    Watching Selena stride toward the stables