Conleth nodded, putting his phone away. “He’s round the back. If he makes a break for it, do you want me to stop him?”
“No. We don’t have any authority over him, and it would only cement his bad opinion of us.” Zephyr headed down the side of the office. “And he’s here of his own volition. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
By now, Shan could make an educated guess as to the identity of this mysterious visitor. Sure enough, Alder-in-Winter was waiting for them behind the office building. Next to the dumpsters, the unicorn was about as incongruous as a racehorse in a McDonalds. He shifted his weight from hoof to hoof as they approached, clearly ill-at-ease.
At the back of his mind, his monster growled. Shan shared the sentiment. He kept his face impassive, but reached for the qiongqi, ready to take its form. While he respected Zephyr’s desire not to antagonize the unicorns, he wasn’t about to let Alder-in-Winter get away so easily this time.
“Alder-in-Winter,” Zephyr greeted the unicorn. “This is a welcome surprise. We’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”
*I have been busy.*Alder’s mental voice sounded stiff.*As the herd speaker, it is my duty to ensure the safety of my people. Where that responsibility takes me is not always my choice.*
Now that he was up close, Shan realized the unicorn looked as tired as he felt himself. Last time they’d met, Alder had been as pristine as an illustration in a children’s book, but now his long black mane was tangled with twigs and leaves. Dirt streaked his gray flanks.
Conleth’s eyebrows rose as he took in the unicorn’s unkempt state. “I thought your kind had fur coated with Teflon. What happened?”
*None of your concern,*Alder-in-Winter snapped.*I gather one of your younglings snuck out of your territory last night. Has she been found?*
Zephyr blinked at the unicorn. “How did you hear about that?”
Alder flicked his tail.*I speak to many creatures. And any intrusion into the forest attracts my attention. The animals told me members of your herd were searching the woods earlier, but that the hunt seemed to have been called off. Does that mean you found her?*
“Yes,” Zephyr replied. “A few campers did indeed slip out last night, but they’re all back safely now. Thank you for your concern.”
Alder-in-Winter sagged a little, as if he’d been holding his breath.*Good. That’s good. See that your errant foals do not stray again. That is all.*
“Wait,” Zephyr said, stepping forward to block the unicorn’s path. “We need to speak to you about another matter. Something that concerns your people, as well as mine. We have reason to believe there’s a stranger habituating the woods near the camp.”
Alder stamped a back hoof impatiently.*Yes, these others here spoke to me about this nonsense before. I will tell you the same thing I told them. I know these woods, and everything in them. There is no danger to your herd, Slight Breeze.*
Leonie drew in a sharp breath, as if she’d just realized something. “Conleth, give me your phone.”
“Now?” Conleth said, but reached into his pocket. “I don’t think Alder-in-Winter wants to be featured on the camp’s Instagram, Leonie. Certainly not looking like this.”
“Just give me the phone, comedian.” Leonie snatched the device out of his hand, hunching over the screen. “I need to look something up.”
Shan wanted to ask her what on earth she was doing, butthere was no opportunity. Zephyr glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. He nodded, answering the director’s unspoken question. So far, Alder-in-Winter was telling the truth.
“I’m sure you believe that, but we have proof someone has been camping out in the woods,” Zephyr said to the unicorn. “Possibly a shifter. Some of my staff found a cache of clothes and food hidden in a hollow tree.”
Alder flicked his tail again.*I know nothing about that.*
Bitter ash coated his tongue. He bared his teeth, unable to help the growl that rose in his throat. “Lie.”
It was a mistake. Alder’s head snapped round, his whole body stiffening. His pale gray eyes fixed on Shan.
“Ha!” Leonie crowed, making them all start. Before Alder could pull back, she grabbed a handful of his mane. “Not Stuart.Steward.I should have realized earlier. You’re so busted, mister.”
“Leonie?” Zephyr said. “What’s going on?”
“Spencer said the person he met last night kept getting his name wrong.” Leonie brandished Conleth’s phone. “The name Spencer comes from old English. It meansdispenser of provisions, orsteward.I just looked it up. That’s what the stranger was calling him. Steward. The literal meaning of his name.”
“You were the person Spencer met in the woods last night?” Zephyr asked Alder-in-Winter.
The unicorn hesitated, gaze flicking to Shan.*Yes.*
Truth. And not simple fact, either. There was a rich, mouthwatering depth under the sweetness. This was something Alder had not wanted to admit, though Shan had no idea why.
“Why didn’t you say?” Zephyr said. “Or stay until we got there? We would have thanked you.”
