Chapter 99

“My people thought I had become one of you,” Netya said. “Vaya left me at their mercy.”

“The alpha must act against her this time,” Fern whispered. “She has gone too far.”

Caspian grimaced. “I fear it will once again be Netya’s word against hers. But that is not what we should be dwelling on right now.” He gestured to where Hawk and Essie’s bodies lay, a short distance from the others.

Khelt reappeared from the bushes with several dry branches under one arm, then began snapping them roughly into pieces. He built the wood in a stack near the center of the clearing, then disappeared to collect more.

“Hawk and Essie need a pyre,” Caspian said. “We cannot leave them for the Sun People to claim as trophies.”

“What if the hunters return?” Netya said.

“They did not look like they planned on returning when I saw them flee,” Fern said. “But I will find somewhere nearby to keep watch.”

Caspian nodded. “Help Khelt collect wood once you are done with me