Chapter 20: Unsworn

I stood up off the rock and faced her across the dark water.

"What do you mean, not at dawn?"

"The law says an unsworn ward is struck at dawn on her birthday," Enid said.

"That was my courtesy. I withdraw it."

Delphine made a small sound, and her mother's hand tightened on her shoulder.

"Dorian Ketch may swear you at the Blood Moon, in my hall, before both packs," Enid went on.

"He may say whatever he likes. I will not tap for it."

"An oath without the seal is only breath."

"At midnight you will still be a ward, with no guardian the law will recognize."

"The strike will be read at the stroke, before you turn twenty-one, while your Alpha is still forbidden to open his mouth."

I heard my own pulse.

"That's what your husband did to Dorian's sister."

"My husband taught me many things," Enid said. "That was the first I used."

She turned and went up the road, with her daughter walking beside her.

I did not follow.

My knees shook so badly that I had to sit on the rock again before I could stand.

By midnight the kitchen at Iron Hollow was full.

Odette had put out bread and cold chicken that nobody touched.

Dorian sat at the head of the table with his hands flat on the wood.

Garrick sat across from him as a guest for one night.

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