woke u

, rural house he shared w

old, a memory cold, sh

bed, his he

d. Fire. Willow screaming. Julian Th

his wife, t

er, his ancient life as a guardian of the wildern

felt like a t

old-money society with its dark traditions. She was always

always whisper

n her small bed. The premonition showed her c

t this

ssed Willow in her warmest clothe

umbled, her ey

ing on an adventure," he w

wood Staff, the key to his lost power, was with Ser

ouse, into the pre-dawn c

ng. He carried Wil

erling Order' s estate loomed before them

evere uniforms

ness," one said,

raphina Vance. I'm

d a look. A smirk p

ied. And she' s alre

dismissal, a confirmat

to see h

the other guard sai

ms, her eyes fluttering open. She s

t, her small voice cle

the wide porch of the

, dressed in the severe,

tightened, a flicker of

this scene?" she called down, h

teps, her movements

that insolence.

er rise, but he pushe

need to talk.

her gaze sweeping over his worn clo

d dragging Willow here like t

on of concern. It

n her eyes was gone, repl

ficed his world for. Or perhaps, sh