Autumn Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

sucked in his breath. “Enough,” he said. “You’ve made your point.”
    Slowly, she eased the flow before removing her hand. The vine gave one last surge at her withdrawal. Five monthsearlier it would have made her knees buckle at the cost of its life. She weaved slightly, but as Ms. Hafwen had taught her, she mentally closed off her sense receptors until the energy receded without harm to either her or the ivy.
    Pleased with her own improvement, Elen scarcely contained a smile. “I don’t know why the Gods chose me for this gift, but the time has come for me to use it.”
    He scowled, unimpressed with her claim but observant of her progress. “You’re learning to control it.”
    â€œYes.” She dared not discuss how in current company, because only Ms. Hafwen chose who knew of her existence. Breaking the trust of the Fae yielded nasty repercussions. “If Pendaran wants to make contact, he’ll find a way. Avon is proof of that.” When he’d summoned all unmated females with power, including a child. Even Elen hadn’t been able to resist his call. But, as Cormack had rightly known, she’d been weakened then.
    No longer.
    â€œIf you remain at your cottage,” Dylan said after a long pause, “you’ll be keeping a guard with you.”
    A concession, but not a full one.
    However, she knew when to push and when to negotiate. “Fine, but whoever stays with me must do so by choice—and not by your order.” When he went to argue she held up her hand. “No,” she pressed her concern. “Anyone who accompanies me becomes a potential casuality. I’ve no use for a guard unless they’re willing and aware.”
    â€œElen,” Cormack interrupted, “I am both.” His familiarity caught her off guard, as did her name on his lips. “I know what you’re capable of better than anyone. And I’m willing to stand by your side in whatever capacity you need.”
    Oh, that was
so
unfair. How many times had she imagined him professing those very words over the summer, onlyfor more intimate reasons other than this?
Don’t go there!
Elen mentally shook those dangerous threads from her thoughts. She mustn’t presume what he may or may not want from her, for the sake of her sanity, not to mention her heart.
    Thankfully Dylan saved her from making a response. “That’s settled, then. Cormack, you’ll go with her now. I’ll inform Sarah of what’s happening. Report directly to me. Elen has a secure landline in her kitchen. Use that for communication. Porter will watch the boundaries while Sarah prepares the villagers. I’m posting Gabriel and John between Rhuddin Hall and the cottage. I’ll update you on further plans once I discuss the situation with my wife.”
    â€œUnderstood,” Cormack said.
    Her brother’s gaze landed back on her, black like their Roman father’s had been before his death, and just as stern. “If Pendaran finds a way through our guards, under no circumstances are you to go with him. No matter what he offers or who he threatens—you
will
resist him. Do you understand?”
    Hearing him plan for the possibility made her stomach churn, and rightly so. “Of course.” Because she knew the consequences were she to fail.

Four

    The late-morning sun set the forest ablaze with the rich colors of autumn. An emerald carpet of moss lined the packed clay of the trail, while oak trees formed a ceiling of glimmering copper and gold. A paradise, if there ever was one. Cormack allowed himself a brief moment to appreciate the view, well aware that his senses were muted in his human form, that the pine was less pungent and the rustle of woodland creatures reduced to whispers of scurrying feet. And that Elen marched ahead of him in a flurry of silent scorn.
    He was home, or nearly there, since her cottage was around the next turn. And the