“She found out that she’s an Autumn fae last week,” I said. “She was curious about this place, so she decided to go off and explore. It’s been a couple of days since she left, so I thought I’d come looking forher.”
The fae didn’t look convinced. “Then, why haven’t the instructors sent a search party out for her? These woods are dangerous for a lone changeling female to be wandering around, especially atnight.”
“You’re right,” I said, biting my tongue. “I thought I could find her myself, but clearly I was wrong. I’ll tell my instructors as soon as I get back to theAcademy.”
“What does your friend look like?” a female fae asked from where she stood clustered with the others. Her bow had slightly lowered, but the intensity of her stare kept my fear firmly inplace.
“Long, dark hair,” I said. “Really blue eyes. She’s about my height, but she’s a littlethinner.”
The fae male in front turned sharply to face the others behind him. They all exchanged measured glances, and my palms began to sweat. They knew something, though the expressions on their faces didn’t make me think it was anything good. Had they seen Bree? Or had they seen the monstrous version ofherself?
After a long, torturous moment, he turned back to face me with a cruel mask painting his sharp and pointed features. “You made a mistake in coming here,changeling.”
My heart galloped hard in my chest. If only I hadn’t left my horse behind, I could get the hell out of here before the situation turned worse. They must have seen Bree, and they must have known she was a wolf. Had they hurt her? Had she managed to getaway?
Taking a deep breath, I lifted my chin and met the fae male’s gaze head on. “Listen, I’m not lying. My friend is lost in these woods, and I’m trying to find her. Do you know where sheis?”
The fae male’s gaze flicked to my mother’s necklace dangling from my neck. His eyes widened slightly, and his voice was softer when he asked, “Where did you get thatnecklace?”
“This?” I traced my finger along the edges of the pendant, my heart pulsing at the memory of my mom and what I’d left behind. “It was a gift from mymother.”
The fae male was quiet for a moment. “Your friend is no longer here. She was chased out of here byhunters.”
“Where did shego?”
“Your friend is no longer your friend,” he said as if I hadn’t said a word. “You would be wise to cease your search for her. And the next time you trespass on another Court’s lands, you should be careful not to lie. The next group you meet might not be as forgiving as weare.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand to stopme.
“Leave now, changeling. Return to the safety of your Academy.” He took one last glance at my necklace. “These woods are not safe foryou.”
* * *
Ididn’t wasteany time getting the hell out of there. As soon as I found my horse, I gripped tight on the reigns while he galloped back to the Academy. My plan for saving Bree was beginning to unravel, and I didn’t know how to tie the strings back togetheragain.
She’d been in the Autumn woods, but they’d forced her to go somewhere else. Had she returned to the free territory? Or had she tried to take sanctuary in one of the other seasons? If so, how would I ever find her? Kael had said she might not have much time. I needed to get this flower to her before it was too late to save her from the beastwithin.
When I returned to the stables on the Academy grounds, Liam was waiting for me beside the empty stall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and fire danced in his eyes. He was a picture of pure masculinity, but that fire and fury was aimed right at me. And I knew exactlywhy.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” The words exploded from his throat with an intensity that made me jump. The horse neighed beside me and pawed at the ground before backing up a fewsteps.
“You’re scaring your horse,” Isaid.
He snorted. “Of course she’s scared. You took her from the stables without asking me, when there are Redcaps roaming the forest everynight.”
“Oh, stop being so bossy. I’m not an idiot, even though you seem to think I am.” I rolled my eyes. “I left at dawn. NoRedcaps.”
“It’s still dangerous.” He stalked toward me and wrapped his hand around my neck, forcing me to look into his orange eyes. “Don’t you know what could have happened to you outthere?”
My heart lurched in my chest, both at his words and at the look in his eye. His hand was tight against me, but it was strangely gentle, almost as if he were afraid I would break. “You said it was safe during the day. You said I could go for a swim in the river if I wanted. Why is going for a horse ride anydifferent?”
“And you just went for a horse ride?” he asked as he took a step closer, keeping a tight hold on my neck. “You didn’t go searching for someone? Orsomething?”
My heart beat harder. Had Kael told Liam and the others about Bree? He’d said he wouldn’t, but Liam, Finn, and Rourke had been in a state when we’d gotten back from our trip to the Winter Court. Maybe he’d ended up telling themeverything.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Itried.
“Nope. I can tell by the flicker in your eyes that you’re lying.” He leaned down so that our eyes were in line, and a storm of summer rain and wildflowers filled my head. “Kael told me about Bree. I know you went to find her. You should have asked one of us to go with you. Don’t you understand how worried I’ve been all day? It’s been driving me out of my damn mind. There’s a hole in the wall over there. Want to know what it’s from? Me. Driven crazy thinking something had killedyou.”
