“I know. Ido.” I shake my head. “I’ve said the word so often over the years, practicing it, and nothing ever happened, and ...” I don’t mention Father, although the thought is there. I burned our father’s body. I look at my twin. “Once I catch the monster, I need to teach you all the words and things.”
“I hope to never need them,” Rylan whispers. “I could not stand you dying.”
“I have no intention of it,” I swear. “I still need to prepare you.Heshould’ve.”
Rylan says nothing.
“I need my laboratory,” I say after the pause between us grows too long. Rylan remains silent, so I ask, “Do you think Isa’s curse is real?”
“What?”
I hastily explain the conversation last night and finish with, “When’s the last time there was a curse? Do you think the dowager duchess could be adding medicine to Isa’s cups so she is unaware of the world at night? She was carousing and—”
“Maybe.” Rylan’s expression is thoughtful. “I would like to say no mother would do such a thing, but the dowager duchess is as friendly as a rabid wolf.”
I snort. “I will bring you a full table of pastries if you say that to Mother.”
Finally, Rylan’s expression gives way to a familiar smile.
I stare into the thick wood, hoping that my many days of working with Clatterbuck were not futile. I let out a long, loud bird trill. Another. And a third.
Nothing.
“Your horse is horrible,” Rylan points out lightly.
“She’ll learn.” I lead my twin in a quick walk away from the ashes of the dead stranger, trying to find the words to get her smile back. “Maybe faster than you.”
“Gabrielle!” Rylan chases after me. “Take that back.”
I grin. “You’re right. I’m sure you can learn just as fast as my obstinate horse.”
Chapter 22
“As ‘spell, taboo, charm’ the word isgeas, E. Irishgeis, derived from the root in the verbguidh, ‘entreat’ (Old Irishguidiu,gude,guide), cognate with Gothicbidjan‘ask,’ and Englishbidding, surviving in ‘the bidding prayer.’”
—Survivals in Belief Among the Celtsby George Henderson [1911]
By afternoon, the press of the wax seal on the letter in my pocket feels like a weight that grows heavier the longer I ignore it. The note is toThe Hunter, not to me by name, not to my father. I know what the letter means, of course. I heard Isabeau talk to the queen, and I know her. She wants to help. She wants the Hunter to find the monster.
As if I am not already trying,my irritation grumbles.
I need to speak to Isabeau. I am past the time when such things are needed, and as much as I dread it, I see no other option. She is owed that much, and even if she were not, I was summoned. There are rules about what must happen when a request is delivered to the Hunter, rules I wish I could ignore.
I walk into Rylan’s room. The room is as chaotic as Rylan can be at her worst; clothes are draped everywhere as if the wardrobe has belched a cloud of silk and linen. In the center of the fabric storm is my not-quite-mirror image.
“I’ve been summoned,” I blurt out.
“You just returned.” Rylan tosses her scarf over her shoulder, flinging the long length of blue into my face in the process. “I don’t like this! Everything feels wrong, Gab. Father’s dead. There’s a monster. I am ... at odds.”
“I will fight the beast. You simply keep yourself and Mother safe. Promise you will not follow where I go. I didn’t say it in the woods, but if I were to lose you ... you are half of me, Ry. Half my heart.”
“Andallyour reasonableness,” Rylan mutters.
“Father trainedmefor this. He ordered thatyoube spared.”
“Andnowwe are obeying all Father’s rules? He dies, and he’s suddenly the keeper of the law?” Rylan sounds so much like Mother that I repress a smile. “I can fight. I’m almost as good with the short sword and—”
“I know. I’m the one who made sure of it. And if something were to come to the door of the Fleuriste Manor? If monster or man appears as a threat, I fully believe that you will bloody your sword and slay it.” I catch her arm before Rylan can leave. “I trust you, and I need you to protect our home.”
