Page 149 of Summer of Sacrifice

“Winnie,” Seleste gasped. “After all this time?”

“I tend to it often.”

“It looks exactly the same.” Sorscha’s voice was raw.

“I’m glad you kept it this way.” Agatha didn’t trust herself to say anything else.

The glamour of Druid magic faded as Laurent rode through it, revealing the cottage was surrounded by a massive camp, everyone milling about. Agatha slid off her horse, taking in her past, her present, and all it meant. To the Ouest, there were tents of Druids. To the Est, tents from Araignée.

Lydia and Lena came out to greet them. From somewhere off in the woods, Porthos and Roc came out, their band of Seagovian soldiers and rebels hidden away. From a tent near the cottage, Empress Amira came, her army camped just outside of the grounds.

As they were all talking fervently with Grimm, Gaius, Laurent, and Asa, Agatha noticed another set of tents behind the cottage. “Arielle,” she said quietly when the young Death Seer came up beside her. “Who is in those tents to the Nord?”

Arielle smiled. “I believe you’ll soon find out.”

A tall figure came out of the shadows, headed right for them. She’d just recognised his gait when Sorscha screeched, “Gideon the fucking Living.”

He spread his arms wide, his handsome face cheerful. “Hello, poppet. Miss me?”

“Not particularly. What are you doing here?”

Gideon’s gaze cut to Agatha. “My Lady Magic needed me.”

Gods, he actually sounded sincere. “Thank you, Gideon.”

“Don’t mention it, pet.” He spun around when the last word slipped out, looking over his shoulder at Grimm who was still in conversation. “Fuck. Don’t tell him I said that.”

“You abandoned us, Gideon,” Agatha challenged. “What’s changed your mind?”

“I didn’t abandon you.” The Eldritch Dreadful scratched at his salt-and-pepper beard. “I left to recruit reinforcements.”

Sorscha stood stock still. “You didn’t…”

“I did.”

Sister Spring screeched and took off at a run.

Agatha raised her eyebrows at Gideon in question and he shrugged. “Livie…the Poisonous,” he added the last part for Agatha and Arielle’s benefit. “Also convinced Balthazaar—the Debauched—to come.” He rubbed at the bridge of his nose, exasperated. “Idiot mistake that was since he got Livie’s daughter pregnant. ‘s been nearly twenty years ago, and she’s still madder than a death hound. Anyway, we all hate The Order and that insane hag that wished me dead. So, we’re here.”

“Thank you, Gideon. Thank you for reconsidering.”

He nodded respectfully and strode back to his tent.

The evening was a flurry of ensuring everyone was prepped, fed, and settled in their tents. When things got too noisy, Tindle screeched and clapped his hands, and silence descended. If she had to guess, Agatha would say that was Tindle’s magic power.

“You beautiful, infuriating man,” she gushed, wrapping her arms around him in an awkward, sideways hug.

“Oh, darling, I learned it from you.” He moved to hug her back, and they stayed that way for a long time. Until Dulci made them tea, and Anne came to join them.

Late, late into the night, a travelling party arrived. Roc and Porthos came running, alerting Agatha and Grimm. Cautiously, they made their way to the edge of the glamour over their camp.

A cloaked woman stood there, a dozen or so people behind her. She watched the glamour as if she could sense it was there. “Something is familiar…” Agatha stepped forward, but Grimm grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

“It could be a trick. Athania may have found a new body.”

Agatha shook her head. “No. Seleste just saw her in the valley, waiting.” She darted ahead before he could stop her.

The glamour tingled against her skin as she passed through. The woman’s lips parted, and she removed her hood. Agatha definitely knew this woman. “Who are you?”

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