s again. This

wo trees, it's dark gray and bi

thing stops me. You don't run from something like th

hands up so he can see them

at and his lip pulls back more, and I get the feeling this isn't some an

coat, collar turned up against the cold. Maybe thirty years old. He lo

n," he says. "We don't get a lot of fol

drops. He s

voice from shaking. "I woke up out here. Don't remem

and there's a fresh hole in the ground right behind you." He cr

again, quieter

lene," I say.

ite recognition, more like he's heard

"Does that mean

uld

g. I try to breathe normal even though my heart's

h here," he says. "Haven't heard that name in years. G

That part's t

ember much o

The man crouches next to him, rests a han

ut here. Lucky it was me that found yo

ith the fear still sitting in my ches

e. Not exactly a friendly place either, f

have a

st worse than others." He watches me for a secon

the day they took me. Not even looking at me. Jaw locked tigh

o know," I say. "

mwood doesn't cross into Rook land without being asked. The last time somebody tried it, it turned into a whole fight over gr

loosens in

preciat

f the chimney. Inside, the warmth hits me right away. He hands me a wool cloak and boots close e

the boots. My hands won't stop shaking. "Rook Ter

t, really. "I have to fin

re looking for out there, hope

at to say back,

land and points down a dirt r

'll stop you long before you get close to Blackridge House.

ou," I s

ere's something else he wants to say. T

and his wolf are far behind me. Till the smoke

ay. My legs hurt. The boots

t Cassian th

d out. Four years I don't remember livi

one walls up ahead, I'm

nd me, coming fast. Someone sh

aight for me. Rook colors on their coat