Summon by Penelope Fletcher Page B

difficult to see if Lochlann continued his
search. Increasingly impatient, I chanced a shifting of my torso. The movement
adjusted my positioning favourably so I could spy on them, but haste made me
clumsy, and my foot slipped across the damp bark. My heel knocked into a
neighbouring branch before I pulled it back.
    A rainfall of autumn leaves twirled towards the
ground.
    This time both fairies turned their attention to
the trees.
    “A bird?” Lochlann hedged.
    Not convinced, Conall lurched to his feet and
hopped onto the first wooden step. His hands fell to his hips as he cocked his
head. With his attention engaged, it was a matter of time before he found me.
    Sometimes
I hate myself.
    “Ana cannot open another gateway.” Breandan
meandered into view. He stopped a dozen steps from them and loosely crossed his
arms. His gaze travelled to where I hid, but unexpectedly flicked to his worn
boots. A smile teased his lips. The curve of his mouth would look mystifying in
contrast to his macabre words from Conall and Lochlann’s perspective.
“Resurrecting Rae nearly killed her.”
    Pushing onto his feet to edge closer, Lochlann studied
him. “Surely with the added power of your bond this time will be easier.”
    Breandan jerked a shoulder. “Rae will figure out
what to do.”
    “Forgive me, but I’m not confident in her ability
to reason us out of this hellish mess alone”
    “Give her time.”
    “Time is short.”
    Breandan wasn’t swayed. “When is it not?”
    “I understand your need to protect her. You just
got her back, but–”
    “Be patient.”
    “Where is she?” Lochlann sounded amused.
    “With Baako.”
    “That relationship is as amusing as it is
disturbing.”
    I agreed. I hadn’t figured out why the werebear
stalked me, and why Breandan tolerated his continued attention.
    Satisfied nothing sinister hid in the tree boughs,
Conall abandoned his climb. “With the shifter ? Does she understand what he wants of her?” His expression
darkened. “Where is she?”
    Breandan motioned down the path. “Should we not
help restore order to the Wyld?”
    Conall and Lochlann shared a guilty look.
    “Are Lily and Kian not….” Lochlann trailed off
sighing. “After speaking to Rae I planned on disappearing to my dwelling.
Another Meet will convene at dusk. I need to reason clearly, and for that, I
need sleep. The last gathering got out of hand because I was too tired to steer
the discussion.”
    Slumped until his torso curved, Conall rubbed his
whole face then pushed his hair back. “Agreed. This time I will be present to
ensure my sister is protected during the discussion. We need rest.”
    Breandan stiffened. “She was protected.”
    Conall’s gaze narrowed in challenge. “Not well
enough.” He strolled out of sight and Lochlann followed, face repentant on
behalf of his irritable Warrior.
    Breathing easy, I used the grooves in the wood to
climb onto the platform outside the dwelling. My footfall soft, touch light, I
eased the door open and peeked inside.
    On a raised bed in the corner of the room Ana
slept. Her uneven breathing was harsh in the silence. Hides piled high over her
body, a furry mound she snuggled under to the neck. What I could see of her
face was gaunt and pale.
    Curious, my eyes swept over the large space, and
richly carved furniture. A brazier maintained a balmy temperature in the curved
room. Its soft glow cast shadows on the nut-brown walls. An opening in the
floor revealed stairs that led to a lower level deeper in the tree trunk. Weak
beams of light filtered from above, and I glimpsed the sky through the leaves.
The floor was a knot of roots polished with wax that smelled sweet.
    Letting the door close, I worried my lip, but ended
up shaking myself.
    Ana looked peaceful enough. The ritual drained her,
and she desperately needed rest, not me eyeballing her as she slept. Breandan
confessed she’d lost a hand during the resurrection. Conall induced a magical
coma to accelerate her