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escape?” He stopped when he reached the door, giving her time to relent. She stared at him, and he felt a measure of satisfaction when her gaze finally dropped.
    "All right,” she sighed, “I won't try to run ... for now."
    He didn't believe her for an instant. Kathleen didn't know that Shayla would let her out of the room sooner or later anyway. It was pure pride that made him want to hear her concede, and he was confused as to why it mattered. But it somehow did. “I'll come for you tomorrow evening. Shayla will see you have the proper clothing."
    He walked out the door and locked it behind him. More guards would have to be posted. Kathleen Parker wasn't beyond using bed sheets or anything else she could find to get out of the castle.
    * * * *
    "I suppose it's too soon for her to see us as we really are,” Cairna said.
    "That would be a reasonable supposition,” Tearach replied. “Everyone she sees will remain in human form until Shayla says otherwise.
    "But what about those who can't alter their appearance?"
    "That's Shayla's problem. She started this; she can see to the details.” Tearach shrugged into his leather jerkin. If he couldn't appear in Goblin form, he was going to make himself as comfortable as possible. In the Shire's sacred forests, the inhabitants had always worn leather clothing for protection and because it was tradition. No outsider was going to make him change that habit. Sooner or later, the invincible Miss Parker was going to get a good look at all of them the way the Goddess intended. Having to rearrange their nocturnal customs for one woman was aggravating. Better to let her see what and who they were, but Shayla wanted to spare the poor woman's sensibilities. Hah! Kathleen Parker needed sparing the way a cat needed extra claws.
    "Uncle Tearach, you'll try to act civilized, won't you? And do you really need that?” she asked, watching him slide his knife into one tall boot.
    He stopped what he was doing and glared at her. “So I'm uncivilized now?"
    "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I just thought if you made a good impression..."
    He was about to tell her he didn't give a flying bat's ass whether or not he made any kind of impression on Kathleen Parker. But he'd made a promise to try to keep an open mind. Right now, he was having a very difficult time understanding how to go about it and keep a semblance of pride. “I'll try not to kill anything with my teeth and eat it in front of her. Will that do?"
    "I'm sorry, Uncle Tearach,” she whispered. “That was incredibly rude. I didn't mean it the way it came out."
    Immediately sorry for his sarcasm, he sighed heavily and hugged her. “Why does my relationship with this woman mean so much to you, Cairna?"
    She shrugged. “I just want things to work out, that's all."
    He tilted her head up with one finger. “Sweetheart, when she finds out what we are, there'll never be any relationship."
    "But you're supposed to..."
    "I know what I'm supposed to do with her. Everyone keeps forgetting one small detail."
    "What's that?” Cairna asked as she straightened his leather collar.
    "No matter what anyone wants or orders anyone else to do, all the gods and goddesses of the forest can't make this woman bear a child she doesn't want."
    He kissed Cairna's forehead and left the cottage.
    The Sorceress was in for a rude awakening when this whole thing failed. Even if his mind was as open as the sky above, no one could control Kathleen Parker's. Why couldn't Shayla see that? He'd always attributed the Sorceress with extraordinary wisdom, had always insisted that his people honor her position and power. But his respect for Shayla was rapidly waning. The Sorceress’ actions even had his beloved niece questioning him. And that hurt.
    He walked through the evening forest toward the castle. What could he say to this woman, this outsider? Nothing in his life had prepared him for this task. Maybe he could turn his head and let her escape. But he wouldn't put it