in t

owl w

dist

mour

os

e. The sound cut off abruptly, swallowed by the nig

arn

ulled on a jacket and slipped into th

sion wa

and closed softly. Wolves moved through the halls

oordi

eard it again-a sharp intake of breat

was in

my pulse roaring in my ears. The air smelled of damp

I saw

vants' entrance, blocking the

ed at her sides. No restraints. No blood. B

her," I said, stepping forwar

olves

smiled. "On

If this is about balance-ab

the other replied.

widened. "

tered the passage l

mi

stiffened

his?" he a

said quickly. "We were escort

flicked to Mar

k her he

nce

voice low and dangerous. "You want

ward, not thre

ot approach her. Or anyone und

ves hes

n b

d into the shadows

n't trying to hurt me," she whis

" I said

calation looks like," he said. "No bl

t time?"

ext time," he replied

e light, the forest beyond

rstood

had bared

to b

show it

ark, teeth w

't sleep

her

e words would make them true-but her hands shook when she p

d quietly, staring into her c

ders

s easy to

l was

awn. Not the usual patrol-these wolves didn't linger o

atem

ed the lower halls entirely. Conversations stopped when Damien pas

fa

t after sunrise. The light caught t

punish the

vior," he replied. "

packs work," I

pa

act

t me out again. He looked unsettled,

quietly. "Not because they sc

ed at

you re

d. "So w

y'll force a situation wher

lowed me long

t shows, no distant howls, no movement near

dow, a chill creep

intimidati

s prepa

e solid, grounding. "Stay clo

at him. "Are

never lef

ale

was w

. Wolves gathered at the edges of the esta

chi

e next would

nst the cold glass, one thoug

asking whether I

g what it would c

nce didn

inst the walls of the estate. Torches burned low along the

er and separate near the tree line. Wolves shifted there-v

attacking,"

e, arms folded. "They

't make me

said quietly. "Rest

ung guard paused at the threshold, bowing hi

hour?" Da

t concerns

urse

ches burned, casting long shadows across the stone floor

nough," one said. "T

e without meeting my eyes. "Some fear what she repr

en replied calmly. "Since

pause

estless," the first elder

you want?"

"We want balance rest

ach tig

this," he said. "She stays. And the next cha

lande

expressions told a different

as d

lly spoke. "They're no

eed. "Which make

retend they don't k

dded

to the east wing, I n

n't watching th

watching e

y door, the weight

t just abo

Dam

mer

racturing-quie

lt on loyalty, fra

spr