I stepped around another patch of dried ground, my gaze catching on a cluster of brittle plants that had once been tall and full, now bent and pale, their leaves curled in on themselves.
“This was alive,” I whispered.
It still was…somewhere beneath it all, but it was struggling.
And that made something in my chest tighten.
I moved forward again, drawn toward the darker edge of the marsh where the trees grew thicker, their roots tangled and twisted through the ground like they were holding on just as much as everything else.
“Maeve,” Keegan called again, but I didn’t stop.
“I see him,” I said to myself.
Because I did.
At the edge of the darker stretch, just beyond where the light broke through the trees, a figure stood.
He was still and waiting.
And something in me stilled in response because there was no mistaking it.
I knew exactly who I was looking at.
Gideon, and he had the stone in his hand.
Chapter Ten
“I told you to come alone,” Gideon said.
“When have I ever listened?”
A smile touched his lips, and he shook his head as Skonk appeared from behind him. He glanced up at Gideon and scuttled over next to me.
“Why did you leave Stonewick?”
“Many reasons.” His blue eyes shifted to the familiar darkness I was so used to seeing.
“Start with any one of them.”
He rocked back on his heels and let out a deep breath as he looked over my shoulders.
“I knew I was on borrowed time in the village. The longer I stayed, the more danger you would have been in.”
I swallowed down the lump in my throat. “We don't have much time.”
“I know.”
I nodded. “We sent off a few teams in different directions to divert the Priestess’ attention.”
“Clever, but basic.”
“You could have just given me the stone in the village and taken off.”
“You’re right. But there are prying ears everywhere, and seeing how easily the Priestess can infiltrate your town gave me pause.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Are you talking about the orcs?”
He handed me the stone, and warmth ran through my veins. I nearly dropped it as it heated in my palm, but Gideon didn't answer my question.
