Sixteen – 10

Together, the three of us threaded our way through most of camp, out toward a small, lesser gate that we’d put together in the aftermath of the Hunt’s arrival, north of the well and near another cluster of ruined dormitories where the Wild Hunt had begun their efforts to build their homes. Anselm had been among the Hunt to linger here with us, minding most of his fellows and liaising with us as needed—which was rarely enough, since the Hunt tended to keep to themselves with Seamus away.

Anselm was already on his way toward the gate as we emerged from it. He lifted his hand in greeting, expression grim.

“I assume you’re here regarding some manner of new threat?” he said, his tone mild—too mild. I grimaced.

“Yes,” I said slowly. “I probably shouldn’t ask how you know.”

“Your brother has been down here already,” Anselm admitted as we drew within arms’ reach of each other. “He was seeing to an increase in the patrols. Leviathan, then?”

“Leviathan,” Phelan confirmed before I could. “He claims if we leave him alone, he’ll leave us alone, but I’m not sure that I believe that.”

Neve’s nose wrinkled. “It’s never been the case before, why should it be the case now?”

Her cousin grimaced and glanced at me. I rubbed at my temple. “What else did Matt tell you?”

“Didn’t seem like there was all that much to tell,” Anselm admitted. “Regardless of anything else, we’ll increase our patrols while you and yours see to the settlement’s more stationary defenses and the watches.” He looked vaguely thoughtful for a long moment before he said, “Perhaps I’ll see if there are any volunteers who want to ride out to the lakeshore and—”

“Don’t,” I blurted.

Anselm blinked at me. “Why not?”

A sick feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. “I—I don’t know,” I whispered. “I really don’t know.”

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