“Having this mark worries me.”
Nova’s expression softened.
“That’s alright,” she said. “You’re not supposed to have everything figured out tonight.”
“Well, that’s convenient,” I said.
The corner of Keegan’s mouth lifted like he almost smiled, and Luna shifted the compress on my shoulder, her hands gentle but firm.
“You’re shaking,” she said.
“I just fought a small army of sentient shadows,” I reminded her.
“Still shaking pretty terribly, though.” Her eyes stayed on mine.
And she was right.
The adrenaline was fading now, leaving my limbs heavy and a little unsteady. Or at least I hoped it was only that.
“Let’s get you back to town,” Keegan said quietly, wrapping his arm around my waist to steady me.
“I can walk.”
He nodded. “I know.”
Nova stepped closer on my other side.
“Which is why we’re going to help,” Twobble came up behind me. “Those who know they can do it on their own are more accepting of help.”
I smiled and nodded, grateful for a little assistance.
Between them all, they managed to guide me away from the tree line and onto the narrow path that wound back toward Stonewick.
The walk through the woods felt different now.
Quieter.
The Hedge magic still hummed faintly beneath the soil, like the land itself was settling after the fight.
Ahead of us, groups of witches and shifters moved along the path in small clusters, talking as they went. Orcs walked alongside them, some still carrying weapons over their shoulders.
No one looked quite the same as they had earlier that evening.
Something had shifted.
They had stood together tonight.
Not witches in one corner.
Orcs in another.
Shifters watching from the trees.
All of them.
Together.
And the Priestess had seen it.
