Chapter 20: I Keep It

Carys's POV

The north border was a long grass meadow with a stone wall down the middle of it.

Serpents stood on the south side, hundreds of them, in dark coats.

Wolves stood on the north side in gray.

The smell of them came across the wall in the cold.

The moon had not risen yet.

Felix stood on a tree stump in his velvet jacket.

His guitar was slung on his back and his hat was in his hands.

"I'm here as a neutral party," he told me.

"You're a fox."

"I'm a neutral fox."

Leo stood on my other side in a clean suit with a black eye.

He held my elbow tightly.

"I would like it known that I have not slept," he whispered.

"I have also built a fourth crib."

"Leo."

"It was a stress response."

Caspian walked to the middle of the meadow alone.

His coat was open.

His tail trailed behind him over the grass, and it did not drift once toward me.

I knew what that cost him.

Garrick came from the north side with his hands empty, and the knives on his belt.

The moon cleared the trees.

Silver light fell on the wall.

The eldest Elder stepped between the two men and raised his staff.

"Hearth Right is claimed for Carys Winslow Draven."

"It is contested by Garrick Holt of the north pack. Let the contest be heard."

"Heard," said Garrick. "I have something to say first."

He turned to the south side, and then to the north.

He raised his voice so that it carried down the meadow.

"Serpents. Wolves. You were told the Serpent head's human is a prize, or a gap, or a pet."

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