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“Ifhe’s being honest,” Massi said.

“If,” Luc conceded. “We keep our eyes peeled. We trust no one except each other.”

“Just like always,” Revek said. There was a note of happiness in his voice.

“Just like always.”

Chapter 16

Ava tugged the too-long sleeves of her new shirt over her hands and folded the ends over her fingertips.

She tucked her hands under her armpits and let her cheek rest against her knees.

Since being abducted, she had either been curled up in pain, or to keep warm, or both.

It would be good to straighten up again and stand tall.

The caravan had stopped for a lunch break in a small open area to the side of the badly rutted road, and it was a relief to not be on the hard, rattling bench of the cart for a bit.

She had found a relatively sheltered spot where the sun filtered through the trees, slightly away from the others, the way Sirna liked her to. She closed her eyes to soak in the warmth.

“Here’s some lunch.” Melodie crouched beside her and Ava opened her eyes and turned to look at the little girl.

She was holding out a bowl of barley and lamb stew in one hand and a spoon in the other.

The whole caravan had bought the meat yesterday. Gregor had spotted the small farm just off their route and had ridden one of the horses to it, returning with a sack of neatly butchered lamb, several pats of butter and some fresh vegetables. Everyone had contributed to the purchases and the atmosphere had improved since then. Ava guessed they had been running low on fresh supplies.

She took the bowl and spoon with a nod of thanks, and began to eat slowly, savouring each bite.

Yesterday had been a blur. She had been given something at each meal, but she didn’t think she’d eaten that much. She hadn’t had the energy or the will.

Last night she’d slept outside again, although this time she’d been given a thick blanket.

She didn’t complain, even though the air was cold enough to make each breath hurt.

They were having a cold snap.

“You’re getting better.” Melodie leaned in closer to whisper. “And the new rope you made, that you wear at night, is helping.”

Ava paused with the spoon halfway to her mouth. “You can see that?”

Melodie squirmed a little and looked away. “My da says I mustn’t say what I see. But it’s hard sometimes. Because I do see it. And I need to tell. Like when that rope was eating you up.”

Ava looked into her tiny, defiant face, and felt a chill sweep over her.

If this child could see magic, then Gregor was right. She needed to keep it a close-held secret.

But she was also only little. No more than four or five, Ava estimated. Trying to explain why she was in danger without making her constantly fearful was worth doing right.

“There are ways to help people without telling them how you know,” Ava said, keeping her voice just as low. “Because your father is right. It’s better to keep what you can see a secret, to protect yourself. You have to be resourceful.”

Melodie looked up at her, interested. “Like how?”

“Well, like you were the other night. You helped me quietly, out of sight.”

“I can’t always do that.” Melodie worried her lip.

“I would say until you’re bigger, you should quietly tell your father what you see, and he can help you decide how to deal with it.”