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THE NEXT MORNING, Trinity found herself at the opposite side of their group from Hugh. He’d shaved and now only had the stubble that she loved. She yearned to run her fingers across his cheek, but she couldn’t do that anymore. She slipped her hands into her pockets. She was once again dressed in slacks and a shirt. She kind of missed the dress. It’d made her feel feminine and pretty and she could use a little confidence right now. She and Hugh had seemed to come to an unspoken understanding to not talk to one another, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from drifting toward him again and again. His shoulders were slumped as if something weighed heavy on his mind and there were blue circles under his eyes. He needed to take better care of himself.
Verly said her goodbyes to Gaar and Mirra, both Tracker and Handler gruff in their gratitude for her help. She turned to Travis. “You, my boy, may visit me whenever you like.”
“Thank you.” Travis hugged her. “And thank you for saving us.”
Verly patted his cheek. “Take care of yourself.” She moved on to Hugh, wrapping her arms around him.
Exactly, what had gone on in that cabin last night? She’d stayed in the barn and Hugh had never joined them. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d crawled into bed with the Forest Witch. He’d bedded Meesus, why not the witch?
“And you, our troubled hero.” Verly glanced at Trinity and then kissed Hugh’s cheek. “Remember, a good leader surrounds himself with those he can trust and those people must be free to question his decisions.”
“That was your vision for him?” Gaar’s eyes lighted with amusement. “That’s not fair. His was easy.”
Verly touched Gaar’s arm, a fleeting movement. “That was advice. I told him his vision last night.”
“Tell us,” prodded Gaar. “I told you mine on the trip over here.”
“She said I’d be betrayed.” Hugh’s eyes landed on Trinity.
She looked down at her hands.
“Oh...ahhh...well...then,” stuttered Gaar.
“That wasn’t the entire vision, Hugh Truent,” said Verly. “You forgot the important part.”
She glanced up. Hugh was looking at the Forest Witch and he wasn’t happy.
“I thought that was the important part.”
Verly’s eyes narrowed and the wind picked up.
“I’d suggest not making her angry,” said Gaar. “We have a long way to row and don’t need the winds against us.”
“Fine,” said Hugh. “The rest of my vision is that I have to learn to love.”
He didn’t look toward her at all this time and that hurt even more.
“Love completely. Without conditions.” Verly took his hand. “That’s the important part.”
His body tensed, trembling slightly as he stared into her eyes.
“Do not let this story repeat itself. Listen to your heart not your hurt.” Verly dropped his hand and he blinked several times and glanced around as if unsure where he was.
Verly moved toward her. She struggled not to run and hide behind Gaar.
“My dear, Trinity.” Verly hugged her and then pulled back, grabbing both of her hands. “I have watched you for so long and I’m glad we finally met.”
The Forest Witch’s eyes seemed to draw her forward to another place. She was no longer standing on the shore but in a forest of shadow and mist. Possibilities hid behind every bush, all of them tempting her with promises of happiness, safety, and love. The mist vined around her legs, pulling her into darkness. She tried to grab onto something—a tree, a branch, anything—but it was all made from fog, slipping through her fingers as she fell. She clawed at the ground, trying to find purchase because if she went into that darkness, she’d never return. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing but a puff of smoke came out. Her hand clasped onto something. It was warm and solid. Safe. She grabbed it with her other hand, clinging for her life. She tried to sit up but the vines wrapped over her legs and around her body, growing over her—cocooning her in cold and darkness. She was trapped, unable to move. A bird sang in a tree above her. It was Chirps, the little crow she’d nursed back to health years ago. A ray of sun shone down, highlighting his dark feathers and making them shimmer blue. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She unclenched her hands, letting go of whatever she held and then she was back on shore, standing in front of the Forest Witch.
“You did well, my dear.” Verly smiled at her and gave her a quick hug. “Now, heed my advice.” She clasped Trinity’s arm and escorted her toward the boat.
The others followed.
“What advice?” She stumbled after Verly.
“The advice I showed you.” Verly dropped her hold and strode away.
“What does it mean?” She called out but Verly ignored her.
“Crazy witch,” mumbled Gaar as he climbed onto the boat.
She stared after the Forest Witch.
“Come. Time go.” Mirra tugged on her arm and she followed the Tracker onto the canoe, Hugh and Travis behind them.
Hugh was forced to take the seat directly in front of hers since Gaar had taken the front and Travis the back. He faced away from her his back stiff. He didn’t want to talk and that was fine with her. She didn’t want to talk either. She had other things to do like figure out what the Forest Witch’s message meant.