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Mom scoffed and turned her back to me. Carefully, I adjusted the blanket and slowly dribbled a little of the tea around the edges of the dirt. Why I was doing this, I had no idea. If today was the end, would a little water change a thing?

Probably not, but maybe once I was gone, this little seed would grow, and Evie would be able to find my body and bring it home.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I pretended to drink the tea, occasionally dipping it under the blankets and onto the dirt until the entire thing was empty.

If she had dosed the tea, I’d need to pretend to be tired to keep up the ruse. And if she hadn’t, it was natural I’d be tired after everything they’d put me through.

Almost over, I told myself. And then I could go home. Wherever home may be.

Chapter

Twelve

EVIE

We were surrounded by Ember and a dozen white foxes, standing on a hill of pure white snow, deep inside fucking Siberia. I couldn’t see a single plant living, though in the middle of winter, that wasn’t too surprising.

Oddly enough, there were no trees. Either Minka had taken them out, or something else had happened to them. Siberia had heavy, dense forests. If Minka had killed off a bunch of trees to keep Moira hidden, I owed her for that too.

“Magic saturates this place,” Dad said, his eyes swirling as he gazed out over the horizon. The sun had just risen, coating the land in sparkling beauty.

Ash, standing beside me, grimaced. “Does this place ever get spring?”

“Barely.” My father’s posture was tense, his words clipped.

“Dad?”

“Something is wrong.” He bent and stroked Ember under the chin, saying something I couldn’t understand.

The fox responded in yips and barks. Dad’s expression turned somber.

“The one who found her has passed. Not uncommon in hostile territory like this one.” He closed his eyes. “Ember sent me an image, but it has been filtered through thousands of animals to get to me. There’s no telling how accurate the projection is.”

“Anything is better than nothing.” My breath puffed in white plumes. Temperature regulation came to me so much easier now, but little could overcome the Siberian cold.

Rowan took a step closer and wrapped his arm around me. I was surprised he came today, and when I questioned the decision, he gave me a withering look. “Moira is family. Of course I will be there. For her and for you.”

Even Tess had made the journey. Of all of us, she looked the most at home here. Her creamy skin, pale hair, and red nose made her look like a snow wraith.

My mother stood next to her. Cliona’s lips were pressed together. “Minka has proven herself a worthy foe,” she said quietly. “She would not leave the area unprotected.”

Dad nodded. “Be wary of traps. Scout ahead before you step. Keep a constant eye out for danger.”

“Are we splitting up?” Rowan asked.

Cliona nodded. “I’ll take Tess. Ash will go with Rowan. Evie and Cernunnos will split.”

“Alone?” Rowan growled.

“Your mate is a goddess,” Cliona said. “You have little magic, which is why I paired you with Ash. He is quite handy in a fight, though he prefers to stay neutral.”

Ash frowned at her.

“My daughter and her father can cover more ground on their own. Tess is a banshee, but I am a goddess, as well. We have to play to our strengths. If anyone finds the cabin Moira is in, the magic user will signal to one of us.”

Somewhat mollified, Rowan nodded. “And if we don’t?”

“Meet back here in an hour,” Cernunnos said.