5: The K

ed in thick, dark blood, fluttered in his hand. Around them, the air in the courtyard see

ning white as he crushed the note in his fist. "Th

heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped b

lled her back toward the safety of the Citadel's inner sanctum. The massive iron doors slam

They are the outcasts. The monsters that even the Lycans fear. They worship the dark side o

ce her. His gold eyes were searching her face, looking for

u lit a signal fire. Every predator for a thousand miles just

t, her voice cracking. "I'm just a maid! I'

tely swallowing her small frame. "You have the Source. But you are raw. You are un

red and died. A thick, unnatural mist began

ere," Mala

ed Elara flush against his chest. His hear

. "The only way to hide your scent from the Shado

itched. "Mark me

sters in the mist-that you belong to the Lycan King. They won't b

, her hand trembling as she touched the bruise on

ce was a mask of brutal honesty. "Kaelen claimed you like a

red at the far end of the hall. They didn't walk; they drifted, their claws sc

Shadow hissed. The sound was like

s vibrate. He looked down at Elara. "Decide now. Do you

thought about the mud. She thought about the s

hought. I will nev

e whispered

osing the delicate line of her throat. Elara closed h

searing heat of his

point just below her ear and began to chant in a langua

ection; it was a golden, liquid fire that poured into her veins. Everywhere his skin

owled against her

met her neck. The mist was blown back. The hooded figures let out

alakai's leather tunic. Her vision turne

e shadows were gone. The tor

hing was

and the leather on him a hundred times more clearly than before. And on her neck, where the purple

she asked, her voice

he could barely hide. He looked at the golden m

Shadows will return with an army. And Kaelen will

ew, dangerous light. "Break me. Train me. I don't want to be a guest in your cast

lked to the center of the hall and picked up a

up," he c

rs. Her body was still aching from the rejection. But she reached down and gr

ing hers on the hilt, guiding her into a fighting stance. His ches

you," he whispered. "But tonight... t

r balance, a frantic banging c

y didn't go home! They've set the forest on fire! Th

her face. "The villages... the

. "Kaelen is trying to force my hand.

her voice shaking with rage. "He's killing i

d. He let go of her hands and grabbed his massive black

You said I was your weapon. If my old pack is burning villag

small, broken girl who had arrived in the m

ride?"

t takes to see Kaele

ing Lycan grin. "Then get a hor