“If you think this is ganging up on you, then you’re in for a rude awakening.” Holly took up her bow once more and nocked a practice arrow. “All Elise is doing is validating my reactions to your unsettling anecdotes.”
“Happy to help!” Elise stretched out on the deck chair, the picture of relaxation.
“It’s only going to get worse from here.” Loch shook his head. “Aim for the spruce.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Loch gave Holly a blank stare.
“They’re all spruces!” she exclaimed.
“Not all of them. That one is a pine. That one’s a fir. That one is a different sort of fir. You really ought to learn the forest better, now that you’re in charge of it.”
“I’m not in charge of the forest,” Holly scoffed.
“You kind of are,” Elise said. “The Maiden maintains balance. You’re the agent of the Maiden. Ergo, you’re in charge.”
“And if you want to stay in charge, you’ll figure out how to hit a broad target at thirty paces.”
“Is that far?”
“I can split a twig at sixty, so no.” Elise laughed. “But you’ll get there.”
“I’d rather learn magic,” Holly said for the tenth time that week. “It seems safer than bows and daggers.”
“If you think it’s safer than you have a serious misunderstanding of magic,” Elise replied. “Magic is the hardest thing you’ll ever learn. I’m sorry to say I’m nowhere near qualified to teach you.”
What about you? Holly asked the Maiden. You have magic, don’t you?
My magic is older and deeper than anything your kind can comprehend. Even the most powerful witch would struggle to wield what I hold inside me.
But you said you’re training me to withstand your power, Holly protested.
Withstand. Not use. When the time comes, my power will flow through you, but you will not be in control. When that happens, we will be fully joined.
Your voice is in my head, I feel like that constitutes as joined.
Return to your training, the Maiden commanded. You and I will work later tonight.
After dinner, Holly had been retreating to her room to converse with the Maiden and complete her mental exercises. Now, Holly could shut the Maiden out—and keep her out—with ease. She never had the gall to do it mid-conversation.
Can’t we take a night off? I’ve been getting headaches in the morning.
No, and you will soon see why. Do not call me cryptic.
Holly pressed her lips together, the word cryptic already taking shape in her mind. She stopped her train of thought.
“Holly! Loch!” Keller stepped onto the deck.
“There’s a third person out here, too.” Elise waggled her fingers.
“Sorry,” Keller said without looking at her. “I’m not used to another person living here.”
“I’ve been here nearing on three weeks.”
“I’m a creature of habit.”
The tension between Keller and Elise was manageable, but no one could deny its presence.
Holly had decided weeks ago that she didn’t have the bandwidth to take care of every little issue in the house. Keller and Elise were both adults. If they wanted to talk about whatever animosity was between them, fine. If they wanted to give each other a wide, but civil, berth, that was also fine. As long as it didn’t detract from the main goal, Holly didn’t care.
“What is it, Keller?” she asked, setting aside her bow. The pleasant ache in her arm let her know she was improving.
“I’ve spent the last week reaching out to every bear clan member I believe to be unfailingly loyal to Silver Spruce. I told them what we know. They agree something must be done. They’ll be here tonight to discuss our options.”
Holly’s bow clattered against the deck. “Tonight?” Were her legs shaking, or was she imagining that? “Kind of short notice, don’t you think?”
“I just got off a massive conference call with everyone. They’re all raring to go. I couldn’t delay it if I wanted to.” Keller turned to Holly. “If you think we’re a heated bunch, just wait to you meet the veterans.”
“I’m not prepared for this.” Holly’s voice came out tight and pinched. “How the hell am I going to pull this off? What am I supposed to say? What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t believe I’m the Maiden.”
“Hey.” Loch appeared in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
The weight anchored her. The world, which she hadn’t realized was spinning until that moment, returned to its normal state.
“You won’t have to do anything,” Loch assured her. “Except show up, of course. The four of us will handle the talking part. We’ll handle any fights that break out as well.”
The world began to spin once more. “Fights?” Holly whispered. Or maybe she shouted. It was hard to tell. The ringing in her ears climbed to an unbearable pitch.
“Not real fights,” Keller cut in. “Bear shifters have a specific way of dealing with things. They like to punch through their disagreements. Literally. It’s totally normal. You won’t have to worry.”
“You always say that after you tell me something I need to worry about,” Holly whimpered.
“How about you lie down for a little while?” Loch suggested. “You overdid it in training today. That’s all.”
“Don’t patronize me,” Holly snapped. “I didn’t overwork myself. I’m overwhelmed. I’m about to have a panic attack.”
“Should we get Garret? He seems good at dealing with those,” Loch said to Keller.
“He’s at his sister’s place,” Keller said. Suddenly, his face brightened. “Oh, my brothers and sisters are coming tonight as well. They’re willing to help us, of course. You’ll get to meet them.”
“Oh, great!” Holly threw her hands up. “Let’s add more fuel to the fire, why don’t we? Loch, you’re right. I need to lie down.”
Holly brushed past a bewildered-looking
