rine'

against the cold pavement, in some fu

the heart of the raging mob. All that I felt were shivers up an

anic. I wrestled to get free, yet hands were li

someone spat, "You are going t

er and hatred pierced through my ears. I felt as if I was being bombarded from all dire

shouted, his voice r

r chimed in, his voice

. "Stop it, all of you!" she shouted, firm but panicked. "Leave her alone

hey were too tied up in their ange

y did Cormac end up dead? Why did she kill him? He was hale and he

ice shaking with fear. But nobody seeme

t the wall of people, her face set in determination. "Let me through!"

with ease. I saw her attempt to grab onto someone's arm

ing. "You don't want to get involved with this curs

t get to me. She scrambled to her feet, her eyes locked on mine. "Zephyrine, I'm so

rk out all their anger and hate. The crowd closed in and had me surrounded; I cou

d in, there was one voice that suggested, "Take h

d I was dragged away, my skin

n, he will give Cormac

wood and smoke. The room was dimly lit with only a few flickering

curiosity and disdain. He was tall and imposing, with a chiseled jaw and

the commotion," he said, his voice low and s

the pack, a low hum of discontent. Ryker

ne. "What do you have to say for yourself? Anythin

. "I'm not interested in hearing your excuses," he said. "I'm interested in

ga. I will allow you a chance to prove yourself innocent. We will convene

ough my veins was short-lived. It wa

kept.safe. The crowd is restless, and I would not

way. "Take her to the dungeon," Ryker said, his voice oozing wit

yes gleaming with cold, calculated intelligence. And in that moment

eath of air. Then, I was thrown into a cell, and the door slammed shut

that Ryker's words were laced with a silent menace, a

e I didn't kill him? I don't even have my m