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The path led out of the forest and towards the village Isla stopped at the edge just before the canopy broke to an open sky, at a point where she had a perfect view of Fraser’s field A s where they lay No doubt the villagers had herded astheir losses

She bent down and cleared a space on the forest floor, so and staring out across the field

“I know you’re there, Lachlan” Her soft whisper drifted over him

The shock of discovery asp “You hearda little foolish that his hunting skills had proved to be far too amateurish

Isla did not turn around but continued to watch the cattle “I heard you the moment you entered the forest”

Lachlan snorted as he caile or as light on my feet as I used to be”

“Oh, you are I heard your thoughts and the sound of your breathing And I can feel your presence The air sparks and crackles when you’re near”

Heard his thoughts?

Lachlan disnised the charged feeling of excitement she spoke of so openly “Why did you not confront h the woods?”

She chuckled “I knohat you’re doing You atching the castle You saw me leave and feared I was intent onthe livestock”

“Are you?” The words left his lips before his mind could protest

“No” She did not take offence at the hint of suspicion in his tone “But I will knoho is responsible before daybreak”

“You plan to stand here and wait for an attack?” Lachlan asked incredulously There were a feith such a plan Theabout on her own at night, others would instantly believe her to be the culprit “Is it wise? What if someone notices you?”

She lowered the hood of her green cape and glanced at hiendary fairy va to lose I cannot sit at ho revenge”

An overactive iazed out across the field In the dark, the resting cattle looked like lureen sea Even if so did appear to attack the livestock, she would struggle to identify either man or beast