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“Your tongue speaks false, much like your dress

Tell me, why do you try to deceive me?” Gwen sat back so only her leathered old hands could be seen

She folded theh “I don’t knohat you’re talking about” The cold crept in despite the outside heat

“Yes, I think you do” She dismissed them with the flick of her wrist

Tara and Cassy headed toward the door, more than a little confused

At the doorway, Madame Gwen followed them with her demand “Wear your hair down, fair maiden That would be your place while you are with us” Tara turned around, astonished

“Co Tara’s “I very much want to read that palm of yours”

A s for money next, she mused

“Keep your coin Who knows? Maybe the stars will deem you both in favor and elevate your tied her frohter followed theet two feet outside before Cassy clasped both her hands over Tara’s “I told you she was legit Wow! That was un-flippin’ believable”

The warht found its way back into Tara’s blood streaain”

Another big burly hooded guy stopped the, but held out his hand

“What?” Tara asked “You want money don’t you? I knew it!” she said to Cassy “It’s all a ploy to extract money”

Disappointed, Cassy reached in her purse

“Your binding, young ain, “How do you? How does he know?” She reached to the leather strap holding her hair and pulled it free “Here! But I want it back before I leave”

Tara stor in the pit of her sto watched

Gwen re and placed it in the cauldron The Gypsy Queen pulled back her lips, exposing yellowed teeth

Her piercing cackle erupted as she tossed her head back and gave in to the exhilaration of her discovery

Chapter 2

The darkness closed in, slowing down Duncan and Finlay MacCoinnich’s speed Riding horses hard after night fell was never wise, especially if the rider didn’t know the landscape

Sounds and voices drifted on the night wind blowing past the the encalance froainst all others The people of the village would know thes

They were brothers with less than two years between theed on the reins at what stood as a stable A young lad, dressed in a worn tunic and brown leggings, ca Duncan noticed were the boy’s shoes He stared at theed to bring his attention back to the present, re why they were there

Both brothers disrace of seasoned riders Duncan tossed the boy the reins assu the lad knehat needed to be done

“Give him an extra measure of oats, lad He has come far this day”