Page 87 of Song of the Dark Wood

Joy looked about to collapse. Finn pulled her into a hug and Rowan stared at them. There was no denying that they looked good together.

“This week, several families offered up daughters to the elders. Girls with no gifts. People are desperate for a solutionand panicked for next season without those trees. Some of the women in my quilting circle were saying that they heard men shouting at the younger Maiden over the weekend,” Joy said.

Another wave of nausea rolled through Rowan’s stomach.

“I will talk to the elders,” Finn said.

Rowan stood, slamming the bowl down on the side table. “Don’t you get it? They do what they want! They make the rules. They think that if they make the sacrifice, it will fix everything. But Finn, Elder Garrett has been bargaining with a demon?—”

“Rowan! You can’t make such accusations,” Finn said, horrified.

“It’s true,” Rowan said. “I can’t explain how I know, but I do. Those with magic can sense it. You can probably even feel it with your blessing from the Mother, Finn. He’s not right. He’s stirring this frenzy among the rest of them. It’s supernatural. Think about it—Orla didn’t ever experience this pressure, and it was more than a month before the Wolf took her.”

Rowan was beginning to doubt anything had ever happened between Conor and Orla. Perhaps he’d just approved of Orla changing into red garb. Maybe if Rowan explained about the elders, he would allow her to do that. It was a victimless lie, but if Elder Garrett held such power, they might go through with the ceremony anyway. The frenzy in town was too much to ignore and Elder Garrett was opportunistic.

“The elders are corrupt,” Rowan whispered.

“Row, if they were corrupt, the Mother would interfere,” Finn said.

“You’re naive!”

“And you lack faith!” Finn countered.

Joy looked back and forth between them. “Perhaps I should see myself out.”

Finn snapped out of his daze and turned to her. “I will take care of this, Joy. I’ll make sure that none of us has to experience or bear witness to such monstrosity.”

Joy bit her lip and nodded as Finn kissed her hand and ushered her out the door.

Finally, he turned back to Rowan.

“Talking to them won’t work,” she told him.

“It will,” Finn insisted.

“It won’t,” Rowan said. “I already have the Mother on my side. I have been trying to figure this out for weeks and have made no progress. You have no idea what it’s like.”

“I can help!”

“You can’t. You’ve just begun to have to face this monstrosity, but I’ve been dealing with it alone for weeks. I don’t need you to save me,” Rowan said coldly.

Finn threw up his hands. “Yes, Rowan. Punish me for not being able to bear the thought of what is asked of you. Hate me for not being able to think about what you will need to endure at that monster’s hands.”

“I hope you’re not talking about the Wolf,” Rowan quipped.

“You know I am,” Finn sighed. “Goddess above, Rowan! Every week, I watch you disappear into those woods, and every time, I wait for you to return. If you could feel what I feel, you’d understand. It’s agony to wait for you. To not be able to follow you without risking your life. To know that he could hurt you however he wanted for his own amusement?—”

“He’s not like that,” Rowan sighed.

“You haven’t the faintest idea what he’s like, Row. You’ve known him for a few weeks.”

“I know he’s treated me far better than our supposedholyleaders,” Rowan snapped.

Finn’s anger vanished, and something like desperation settled in his eyes. “Do you love him?”

“What?” Rowan choked on her surprise. “No, of course not.”

“Do you love me?” Finn asked.

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