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“A little blood,” Andraste admitted. “Way back in the genetic line. Enough for camouflage. Not enough to make me commune with trees.” She rolled her eyes and hopped off the rock.

Ari watched her like a hawk does a rodent, distaste in her eyes.

“All these years and you still haven’t forgiven me, Ari?”

“You never asked for forgiveness,” Ari spat.

Andraste blinked, her brow furrowing in thought. “Well, shit,” she said softly.

I almost laughed, but Ari looked so hurt and put out, I restrained myself.

“You obviously followed us for a reason, Andi. Spit it out so we can leave.”

Oooh. A nickname. Definitely a history between these two. Romantic or…

Andi sighed. “Only you can call me that.” She waggled her finger at me. “Don’t you dare try it.”

“Annie.”

“Fine. I didn’t follow you. I was already here scoping things out when you arrived. As soon as I felt someone else around, I hid myself.”

Ari’s eyes narrowed. “Still recruiting, I see.”

“Part of the job,” she admitted. “I’ll never be able to stop.”

“Scoping things out?” I asked.

“Annie is a goddess of war,” Ari spat. “She likes to fight.”

“Ari.” She shook her head. “You know that’s not true.”

I plopped onto the snow, suddenly bone-deep tired. “Can we get to the point? There’s plenty of time for you two to fight later.”

Andraste’s lips thinned. “Certain events draw those of my ilk. I would recommend not staying out here too long in case another interested party comes along.”

I stared at her blankly.

Andraste sighed. “You fought for your life here. That cabin reeks of blood and desperation, and your final stand in that horrible room. Your life’s blood is all over that floor, Moira. Curious blood, but that’s not why I’m here. You have the heart of a warrior, and I seek out women with such.”

Suspicion reared its ugly head. “Seek them out for what?” Was Andraste in some weird fae cult?

“Moira,” Ari said in warning. “Remember what I said.”

“She is a grown woman,” Andraste said in a chiding tone. “Capable of making her own decisions.”

I crossed my arms and waited.

“She wants you to become one of her winged women.”

I snorted only to see Ari’s expression remain serious.

“Winged women,” I repeated in disbelief. “Like in a harem?”

Andraste barked a laugh. “Not in the slightest. A winged cavalry of female warriors.”

I stared at the goddess. “You want to hire me.”

“Sort of,” she said. “It’s not a job, more of a lifestyle.”