pte

Sanctum behind her. Proof. That was the word Kieran had left hanging betwe

nge, wrong energy that pulsed

er had taught her to wield. But Kieran had twisted it, bent it into s

ook off th

nbinders were the last line of defense b

ye

on the edge of a precipice, staring down into

Kieran. "You expect me to believe that

t change. "I expect

ped her. "You clea

htly, but there was no hu

d earth surrounding her, filling her lungs. It should have be

ous than any threat he c

d her ground. "If you reall

his head. "C

ked. "Ex

im, where his pack lurked in the shado

You think I'm stupid enough to

enough to know that nothing I say will

ed between them

pulse of corrupted magic had already lodged itself in her mind. She w

Entering enemy ground?

rs back. "If you have

ession harden

can't he

lden eyes unreadable. Then, after a beat, he

rowned.

movement

her wrist, and suddenly, a jolt

k as images slammed into he

into flesh, glowing bright before twisting-twist

e air thick with the scent of scorched fur and iron. The Moonbinders standing in their

m. Raw.

nees near

r gasping for breath. Her heart pounded against her

him. "What the hel

carefully. "I sho

e fast and sharp.

rds tasted

her that she had spent years bur

new i

-

ains o

mber walking back

im glow of the Sanctum's great hall, her fingers s

laith was

pt over her, sharp a

lt dry. "He claim

as if this was

d she tell the truth? That Kieran had planted somet

at she knew Orlai

was a liar.

teachings were ab

rd. "He wants me

me, Orlaith's ex

He said he can't br

le

exhaled. "You

voice sent a strange

side her twi

ecause you are not prepared

hat iron resolve. But the more she looked, th

ied about what Kier

about what Kiera

heart

ow some

arrowed. "Mind y

d her jaw. "M

th repeated, the words a

e. Had followed every command without que

, something

ed of doubt h

wanted to, she couldn't uns

in a practiced bow.

a moment longer, then

to walk away slowly, to make it seem like

, she exhaled sharply, pressing her hands a

only one p

her the answers, then she

me find him. gods help he

-