Chapter Twenty-Eight

"The woman has the soul of a general," Brand thought as he watched Astrid take in his news and immediately begin barking orders. In short order, she had two packs of her own filled and her women gathered for instructions.

"Brandur has come to tell us we have run out of time," she announced. The women murmured and looked to each other with wide eyes. He could see the fear, but also the determination in them. These witches, these women, were just as fierce in their own way as Magnus' warriors were. He listened and watched intently as Astrid continued.

"We know what we have to do. I know what I ask of you is not easy. We are going into the unknown on nothing but faith." She swallowed. "Should the spell fail, you know what the consequences will be. Even if we succeed, we are traveling to a place none of us can comprehend. A future we can only imagine."

She met the eyes of each of the women of her coven. "If you do not feel you can make this journey with us, no one will think less of you,