Chapter 6: Under Truce

The pack healer was waiting at the creek when we got back.

She was a stout woman in her sixties with a medical bag, and she looked scared to be there.

"The Alpha asks for you," she said. "Under truce. You won't be touched."

"Who guarantees that?" Merrick asked.

"The Moon Keeper's law. The Alpha swore it on the stones this morning."

Merrick looked at me.

"I'll go," I said.

"Then I'm coming."

"You can't. They'll fight you at the door."

"They can try." His jaw tightened, and the silver in my chest tightened with it. "I'll walk you to the steps. I'll wait where you can feel me."

So he crossed the creek behind me, and every hunter on the grounds turned to watch.

At the foot of the hall steps he stopped, and I kept going.

Pippa slipped up beside me and took my hand without a word.

The hall was full of gold ribbon. It hung from every beam, and fresh white flowers filled the long tables.

The pack members in the corridors dropped their eyes when I passed.

A few of them bowed their heads toward Lorna's door.

Garth stood waiting at the end of the hall in his good coat.

"Briony," he said. "Thank you for coming."

"Where is she?"

He opened the door.

My sister lay on a big bed under a gold quilt, her braid half undone. A red stain spread across the pillow beside her mouth.

The room smelled like wolfsbane tea and blood.

"Five minutes," Garth said. "I'll be outside."

He left. Pippa stayed in the doorway, one hand on the frame.

I sat on the edge of the bed. "Lorna."

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