Had she been seen? The dark figure seemed to draw her forward and she fought against the compulsion, her fingers tight about the amulet. She took a step backward, another, going away from the stairs until she could no longer see Melantha. Then she scrambled up the short incline to the top of the hill, went down it on the other side far enough so her outline wouldn’t be seen against the sky, and headed for the corral. She’d have to take the long way around to the fire. Maybe Melantha wasn’t watching for her. Melantha must think she was still locked in the meditation room. But why was she waiting at the head of the steps? For Amy? To make sure Amy didn’t come back from the ritual fire to release Danica, not aware it had already happened? Danica shook her head. It was hard to think clearly. She tried to hurry, but her left ankle hurt with every step and the faster she moved the more painful it became. She’d fallen in the room, hadn’t she?
