tensified. She opened her mouth, but only a choked, soundless whimp

brow. He'd never encountered a creature so fragile it c

ot's feathers, stepped forward. Zane Reynolds tried to lighten the mood.

perceptible scent had reached them

instant. Every eye locked onto Autumn, their ex

d female was a discovery on par wit

s calculating, processed the new data. The identity

raspy and trembling. "I... I don't know...

utched her head, her

ached out a hand as if to check on her,

ve as he issued orders to his team. "Clean up

we're rich! A wild female! The Associatio

as more cautious. "Her origins a

g every word, her face a

rd her, but a single sharp look fr

cket and tossed it to her. His tone was rough.

smoke and blood. Autumn obediently wrapped herself in the overs

ady analyzing the fabric's dura

astfiend's corpse, storing the val

heir formation, a protected asset, a

, her body going limp as

ing speed. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm to s

g through the fabric of the jacket. Autumn's body went

d her as if he'd touched hot iron. Th

iding her expression, and wh

but no one complained. They cleared paths

ments, their tactical coordination, sil

te authority. And his attention on her wa

menacing. The howls of distant Be

oser to Kaelen. His body tensed at h