18. Eternity

Isat on the stone wall of the country road, swinging one leg as I watched the sun set. It was a beautiful one, the crisp autumn air carrying the scent of new-mown hay and the moon already above the horizon. The dying sunlight painted the ancient ivory of the Egyptian hounds-and-jackals game board golden as I held it up to the light, angling it to admire the carvings.

It really was a nice piece, and I hoped Nuada liked the anniversary present. The collar I”d given Key yesterday, modeled off of one found in an ancient tomb, had won me quite the late evening, and I wanted Nuada to feel just as appreciated—and just as appreciative.

All the hair on my arms lifted as the sun crossed the horizon, the Veil between worlds thinning as the strength of the day vanished. In the distance, I heard a familiar howl singing to the moon, followed by the soaring cries of dozens of hounds.

I grinned, tucking the board back in its protective case before slinging it loosely around my waist. I shrugged out of my loose robe and shifted forms, reveling in the strength of my lungs and the feel of the ground beneath my four feet.

I already knew how the night would play out. The hunt, the chase, the beautiful end.

My Hunter. My hound.

They would have me.

But they had to catch me first.