Summary

In Chapter 46, Tierney asks the poacher for his name, and he tells her it is Ryker. The two converse, and she realizes that poachers are just as human as grace year girls. Ryker admits that he is not sure if Tierney is going to survive.

In Chapter 47, Tierney tells Ryker she does not believe in the grace year girls’ magic. She also points out that Ryker always speaks his mind, which is a privilege she has never had as a woman. Tierney confesses she believes the real reason the county sends the grace year girls away is to break their spirits.

In Chapter 48, Ryker reveals he has a mother and six sisters, as his mother takes in girls who are banished to the outskirts. To Tierney’s surprise, Ryker reveals it is the county that pays the poachers to hunt grace year girls...