She read the letter for the third time – and for the third time, her eyes narrowed as she read those last lines.

"In your absence, the Night Mother has arrived at our Sanctuary. Apparently, the Keeper somehow survived the raid on his Sanctuary and brought her here, and now Astrid claims she can hear her voice. She says the Night Mother has informed her of a contract, and… it's big, Kedi. I can't help but feel there's something she's hiding from us. It doesn't feel right, but with the way she's been lately, who knows what would happen if I voiced my opinion.

I don't know why I'm writing, love. I suppose I needed to just get this out, even if it is a risk. What if Astrid found my letter before I posted it? But I'm staring at my words and seeing that I'm afraid of my own Matron. This is not right. I feel things have been changing, Kedi, and something's going to happen. I miss you, and right now, the whole Brotherhood needs you.

I hope for your speedy return, love."

She scratched her right eye and ran a finger down the scars on her cheek. It was still night and the light from the candles was dim enough to go without the blindfold, of which she was glad; it had been bothering her lately.

Since the killer's journal had insisted that the heart be taken on a full moon, Kedi had taken the night off. She had a few days till he would strike again, if he kept to his instructions, and she would need to be well rested if she wanted to catch him. And, admittedly, the letter from Veezara had taken precedence in her mind over everything else.

The news of the Night Mother's supposed return was troubling. Astrid had seemed to be struggling with her very sanity lately, with the slightest things sending her into a boiling rage. She doubted the loyalty of the other members of their Brotherhood, accusing them of planning to kill her or leave. There was a time when Kedi had seen Astrid as a mother, but now she would not put it past her to lie about something as sacred as the Mother's words. She would have to get this contract done soon and head back, before things got ugly.

She folded the letter back up, and ran a finger over Veezara's wax seal. She would find Calixto tomorrow, and hopefully he would have some information on the amulet, otherwise she was back to square one and it would be even longer before she saw the Haven again.

Undressing, she hid the letter amongst the folds of her tunic and lay down on the hard bed. With the thick fur blanket pulled over her, the cold air of the northern town disappeared, and Kedi fell asleep.