Rogues had no loyalties or rules. They were outcasts, wild and

to her feet. Every part of her wanted to run, but

away, trying to stay c

popped out between the trees.

e ro

was

scarred male, showing his yellowed teeth.

no pack to call for help. N

to save

eft, and one on the right. If she could just slip p

had no real fighting skills. Just bits and pieces she had p

tepped closer. What's wrong, li

es laughe

pushed through her fear

sprang int

e rogue's arm, and darted pas

d her. Heavy footste

Run

he raced through the trees. Branches whipp

ear them dr

r was ju

e slammed into h

ough her ribs. The rogue was on her instan

im, trying to kick him of

as he snarled. Weak little pack

er. She twisted and s

th

through t

rong, co

on top of

hat howl wasn't from a rogu

gh the trees, slamming into th

up. Her vision was a blur but cleared enough for her to see a m

s filled the air. Blood

d in se

n. Finally, silence settled over the for

up, her body shook wi

its bright emerald-green eye

eath c

w thos

ll, battle-scarred man stood there, black hair m

ps parted.

r Shad

had once been part of the Obsidia

he doin

had he s

* *

nd. Her silver eyes spotted Eryndor Shadowfang, the rogue warrior who just saved

ke. The wind rustled through the trees, and

d a ghost - someone people avoided talking about. He used to be a strong fighter but was now a

ht in front of her.

d to say something - maybe "thank you" or ask why he w

d tilted his head. "You loo

," she replied, not im

then turned back to her. "You

aped her. "I have

ace was hard to read. Then, without say

leaving? "Wait!" she called,

ack to her. "Why should I?" h

her fists. "Beca

dor turned. "You have two choices. Stay

ught, Nyxara said, "

hey walked for what seemed like forever. The trees became thicker, and the

l rocks and a small wooden cabin. Smoke curled from t

and stepped inside, moti

bed, a fireplace, and a wooden table stacked with

tossing his cloak onto a chair. "But don

tiff but nodd

t realized how tired she really was until now. Every part of h

rds. The rogues attacking her. And Eryndor

uneven, Nyxara felt safe enoug

r. She pressed her palm against her stomach, feeling a warmth she'd

for weeks. Nausea, unst

ion hit her hard. N

she knew. She

t and tried to breathe. Who was the fathe

it hi

d back. She had been lost and desperate for a fee

led. What was s

er from her thoughts. "You lo

ooking at her closely. She quickly wiped her sweat

n her. "No, you'r

ed was to tell him what was going on. Not n

ened up and said, "I

walked to the table, grabbed a s

fused. "What's thi

ou're weak. If you want to sur

go, the idea of fighting would have terrified her. A we

ad more to

eye, determination stirr

row, his smirk fading.

ightened. "I need to learn. I

"Fine. Just know this: I'm not

't expec

skin. The clearing was quiet, with only the sound of

her hand. "If you want to use a weapon, you need to kn

arned to fight - why would she? She was always the wea

dor was

is feet. He wanted her to copy him. Ny

stri

hesi

an't hurt me, little wol

she lunged forward,

mi

as gone from her path, and a split second l

as he stood over

than the pain, her pride hurt. "You

no one warns you,"

determined, s

o strike once more

t each time, he eas

ation bubbled inside her. Still, Eryndor lo

pushi

wasn't a

about her

her forehead, she

him closely. How did he

at him, she faked left an

abbing her wrist just befor

lickered i