Chapter 3

“What on the gods’ earth were you thinking, Tristan?” Marshall frowned at him as he clucked loudly to the horses.

The wagon started with a jolt and Marshall slapped the reins gently on the horses’ backs, encouraging them to move faster. They pulled onto the dusty road, the wagon creaking and groaning as they drove toward their camp.

“What do you mean?” Tristan asked.

“The Red? Are you deliberately trying to curse us?”

“That’s nothing more than an old wives’ tale, Marshall,” Tristan scoffed derisively. “I didn’t know you spooked so easily.”

“I don’t,” he protested hotly. “But it’s bad enough you’re bringing more humans into the household. Did you have to bring a Red as well?”

Tristan rolled his eyes. “Afraid she’ll cast a spell on you?”

“You laugh, but my mother used to tell me tales of the witches when I was still a small pup. Terrible tales they were. Women with flaming red hair, chanting and casting spells as they danced naked around their