A Court of Lost Stars

"She hasn't come down at all?" Mor asked, glancing up at the branch Nova was still perched on.

She'd moved a little bit- just enough so that her back was against the trunk, but still stared down at them with intense, watchful eyes.

Feyre shook her head, looking up. "Not since she went up."

"I can't believe Az never even saw her," Cassian smirked, "losing your touch there, shadow boy?"

Azriel rolled his eyes, but it was apparent it did bother him a little. "I have no idea how she managed it."

"Well," Feyre shrugged as she took a small bite of bread Mor had picked up at the bakery a little while ago, "remember when Zaylor spoke of that night? He'd said all the sound went off in the woods. That he'd thought he'd gone deaf?"

"You think she manipulated Az's ability to hear her?" Cas arched a brow. "That's… very impressive."

And a little scary, Feyre internally admitted. 

"Maybe we're wrong about her," Mor nodded, "maybe she has had training of some sort."

They all ventured a gaze at her in the trees, but she wasn't looking at them anymore. She was staring off into the distance, head lowered as she slowly rose to her feet. At first, Feyre thought she might jump down, but then her lip curled, and she scuttled further up the tree. This time, the mossy branches covered her completely.

Panic filled the area- Nova's panic. It was her uncertainty they felt as tangible as smoke.

"She was over there!" A man chortled somewhere through the trees. "Yeah, real pretty, too. I swear! They'd pay big for someone like her."

So Nova hadn't stayed as secret as she'd likely always tried. Sometimes, even the worst lot was bound to catch a glimpse of her. It was evident Nova had had run-ins with these men before by the way she retreated.

What had they done to her?

Everyone slowly rose to their feet. The playful smiles from moments ago were gone, replaced by rigid, angry features. These were the faces they wore at the Court of Nightmares, and now Feyre shared the same expression.

The Illyrian Warriors were ready to defend and protect their star in the tree.

Feyre walked alongside Rhysand and Azriel toward the offenders, who grew louder with each passing second.

Cassian and Mor guarded her tree.

We can't let them continue hurting vulnerable people. In these woods or anywhere.

I know, Rhys responded.