Out of the Shadow at Last novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: The Moon Watcher

The Fair ended on the hill of standing stones above Northgate, at moonrise, with every pack in the north in the dark around us.

Torches ringed the stones.

Bram had polished his boots, and was visibly miserable about it.

I stood at the centre of the circle in the grey cloak with my name stitched crookedly on the collar, and I waited.

The oldest Alpha came forward with her cane and a bronze bowl of water.

"Three trials," she said, and her thin voice carried to the last row. "Three were set, and three were run."

"Rooke forfeited the second. The Seal itself answered the third."

"There is no more to weigh."

She held up the bowl.

"Who held the wards of the Moon Tower for seven years?"

The silence went on.

I had waited my whole life for someone to ask it aloud.

"I did," I said.

"Who held the village of Fenmark against the raiders?"

"I did."

"Who held Northgate against the Court?"

"I did," I said. "With a great many people holding me."

A ripple of laughter ran around the stones.

I saw Posy in the front row with her chalk-stained hands pressed to her mouth.

"Then the Moon Fair names you," said the oldest Alpha. "Linnet Rooke is Moon Watcher of the northern packs."

"Say your name before the Moon."

I looked up at the white disc rising over the ridge.

"Linnet Rooke," I said. "Omega. Barrier mage."

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