CHAPTER 1 QUINN CROUCHED BEHIND THE snow-covered pine tree making herself as small and still as possible One false move and she would give herself away She glanced at Ula her unicorn and smiled That’s it girl Stay quiet Quinn sent Ula a mind-message Like all unicorns Ula had a special gift Hers was the ability to communicate mind-to-mind with her Rider Quinn You can count on me Ula replied as magical sparks shimmered from her horn Quinn had spent the last hour searching for food in the forest She hadn’t gathered much only a few small yams and a handful of winter greens but at least she wasn’t going home empty-handed Alda the cook would be happy to have the extra flavors to add to her soups and gravies Quinn was still foraging when she detected a flash of caramel and white through the trees Curious she padded over the snow for a closer inspection Quinn watched as a spotted doe strutted past unaware of her presence
The doe paused to sniff at something below a thorn bush There was a flicker of movement as a baby deer rose on wobbling legs Quinn gasped It was still winter and it was early for the doe to have a fawn But there was no denying what she was seeing Isn’t it beautiful Quinn mind-messaged Ula So tiny Ula nickered anxiously What is it girl Quinn asked Danger Heading this way Ula replied Quinn tensed She spotted a gray wolf nose down It sniffed the doe’s trail as it glided stealthily closer Quinn scanned the forest She spied another wolf and another creeping toward the doe from different directions Their coats were shaggy and dirty Their ribs were easy to see as if they hadn’t eaten for ages We have to do something Quinn whispered The thought of taking on three huge wolves was daunting But Quinn couldn’t leave the doe and her baby to their fate Before she even had time to stand the wolves leaped into the clearing and surrounded the young mother and her baby Their lips were curled and their backs raised They growled menacingly The doe was too petrified to move Let’s show them what we’re made of Quinn mind-messaged Ula You’ve got it Ula replied as her magic whirled out from her ruby
horn Quinn fought every desire she had to turn and flee She ran straight for the wolves waving her arms and shouting Ula was right beside her Out of the corner of her eye Quinn saw the doe nudge her baby Then they were off
