Page 34 of Song of the Dark Wood

Rowan held up a hand, and several elders looked indignant that she was silencing them. “I’m happy to answer all of your questions one at a time.”

“Was the Wolf satisfied with you?” Elder Garrett asked.

“Yes. He was very satisfied, but we had much to discuss, and his priorities were to the souls I brought, since there were many more than usual. By the time he saw to that, and we discussed Orla and the blight, it was nearly dawn.”

She waited to see if anyone would challenge her and force her to admit she’d fallen asleep, but it was clear that none of them knew exactly how long the crossing took. They didn’t seem to suspect anything. She sighed in relief.

Elder Falon handed her a leather-bound book. She flipped it open but found only blank pages.

“A journal,” he said. “Each Maiden keeps them, and upon her retirement or death, they are passed along to the elders in case there’s pertinent history or information.”

Rowan’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t stop the words that fell out of her mouth. “So you have the whole history of Red Maidens? Can I read them?”

Several of the elders gasped as if that was a preposterous request and also because she’d asked a question without permission. She held her knuckles out for discipline, but Elder Falon waved his hand.

“That’s not necessary,” he grumbled. “No, you can’t read them. They’re sacred texts. The ones that have survived are kept locked away. They are invaluable to the elders.”

Rowan stared at him.The ones that survived?

As if reading her thoughts, he spoke again. “Several Maidens felt a need to burn their journals upon retirement or just when they were full. We don’t have a complete collection.”

Rowan looked at the book in her hands. She couldn’t imagine the elders reading her personal thoughts and experiences. Perhaps she’d fill it with some choice words. After all, if they weren’t going to read it until after she was gone, she may as well get the last word and make it colorful.

“It’s just a place for you to keep track of your experiences. Fill it with anything that feels useful or relevant,” Elder Falon instructed.

Rowan nodded. As soon as she got some sleep, she would tear through Orla’s room and then the rest of the tower to see ifthere were any journals hidden away. She needed to know what her predecessors had done.

“So the Wolf won’t be coming to the village for souls, despite the blight?” Elder Raymond asked.

“No, sir,” Rowan said.

“I don’t like it. Perhaps there’s something wrong with our offering,” Elder Garrett proposed, his hungry eyes raking over her.

Rowan’s mouth went dry.

“Nonsense. You know well that he doesn’t always take the Maiden on the first night,” Elder Falon said. “As long as he wasn’t dissatisfied, we don’t need to worry.”

“But what of the Mother?” Elder Garrett challenged. “What if she’s unsatisfied?”

Rowan almost laughed in disbelief.

Elder Falon frowned and the well-worn crease in his brow was more severe as he appraised his peer. “Do you have reason to believe that’s so?”

“I know from our one-on-one time this Red is very stubborn, and at times, petulant,” Elder Garrett started. “The bargain is between them both, remember? Not just the Wolf needs to be satisfied. You know how the Mother abhors selfishness and immaturity. I worry we may need to make an intervention.”

“It’s a bit early to discuss such a thing, is it not?” Mrs. Teverin interrupted. Half the men looked absolutely astonished that she’d dare interrupt, but the rest nodded with respect.

Rowan stared at her tutor. “What are they talking about?”

Mrs. Teverin shook her head. “It’s not important, dear. We can talk about it later?—”

“Oh no, let’s talk about it now. The girl should know what’s at stake if she doesn’t fall in line.” Elder Garrett pinned Rowan with a feral grin. “If the Wolf or the Mother gives the indicationthat they aren’t satisfied, it’s at our discretion to reconsecrate you and take care of the details ourselves.”

Rowan wanted to scream. Instead, she looked around the room for a sympathetic face. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of this?” she asked, trying to make herself sound as timid as possible.

“I see what you mean about the petulance,” Elder Raymond said with a sneer, wringing his liver-spotted hands.

Rowan felt like her fury might burn her alive. She’d done everything right, and she still couldn’t win. If the Wolf didn’t take her, this group of supposedly pious men would deem her unworthy and put her through even more trials than walking the Dark Wood. Half the faces in the room looked hungry for the opportunity. The rest—Elder Graves, who was about her father’s age, and Elder Nasik, an older man who’d been appointed after leading a congregation across the sea—looked uncomfortable at the prospect.

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