ena

ly working at a furious pace. Then, with a curt wave

one with this unpredictable woman. But a single, sharp look from Dant

t fell was thic

till seated, seemed to radiate a coiled strength. "What makes you so certai

ed to attack and suppress your wolf's genetics. Another is a neurotoxin, causing slow, progressive nerve damage. And the third,

is face grew grimmer. I was n

s is simple," I said.

t was a monumental risk, allowing a stranger, a potent

hands told me he understood exactly what I was offering. Risk,

finally conceded

n't touch him. Instead, I pointed to a spot on his right knee. "You suffered a

ad happened during a secret training ses

endons here are atrophied from the poison, but t

X-ray, seeing through skin a

his thigh. I paused, then look

"You've been training. Secretly. You've kept the muscles from completely wasting a

a beat before delivering

Prince Dante. You can stand

his composur

ry energy, exploded from him. It was the

d have thought possible, hi

of his shoulder muscles. I threw myself backward, his fingers gr

fingers as if by magic. I didn't aim to kill. I aimed to disable. I jabbed

is arm going numb, h

having heard the commotio

us. He grunted, the air punched from his lungs, and stumbled back against a bookshelf. Only then

tached themselves from the walls. Four figures, clad in black

rds. His s

ost impossible

self up from his wheelchair. He stood. His legs

dangerous mask. The frail, sickly pri

his voice a deadly