ra

el jumped to his feet, eyes blazing gol

ext to the door, he com

look inside. I noticed his shoul

t them,"

heaved. "

t. One

u

asn't use

w quick words with a tall woman wear

r woods. We're safe-for now

ng. I wanted to be strong. I needed to b

s. He placed a firm hand o

for

ing. Your re

l brought me deep

ping over splintered branche

you can lea

ed by thick trees. The smell w

side of you. But you h

l don't believe I'm some r

ere was something s

a wooden staf

ked. "

ped back, twirling his

er fought

t's why we're

sita

survived exile. You survived me dragging your half

ted. A

har

ve time to react. He took my legs out fr

O

," he

ot

d ag

ag

ended up on

taff. My hands were swollen. M

know how

rtainly do. You will not, however,

even kno

moved back.

perspiration, and

sword, and staff. He showed me how to climb, how to conceal, how

y muscles objected. I had blood on my han

ng within me ha

hing

hing

ide the cabin window,

" I whispere

turned to me-col

hose

aph

er a new

scouts brought back stories when

e pack c

d

ghost th

oulder. "Let that anger sh

und. "You al

n made me lose my

ght in my thr

r of the Darkfang Pack. Proud, cruel, hated. But just. L

e in silence

ainst him. My father was killed in the

uld he

er. And blood. You're not the only one wi

ris

told me the trut

thered down my spi

hina accuse you falsely. Why he tried to kill you? If you'

, gasping. "I am n

don't have to be ready.

ed up

r, smarter-but behind

pain I

ut of my face instead of pushing him away. Or

k, my abilities

arted

wed in the dar

ne night, the flames

ade at me without warning

ati

nothing

d as if it belonge

"Now we're get

going on

ng who you wer

ill

l fa

was le

ocked me flat again.

p," he

N

ar

NO!" I

rth tr

oth

looke

g around me. Tiny, s

y feet. "Did

d slowly

d at my

lse can

iercing. We will f

night, everyt

e fire, eating dry m

ed the question that had

love me, in

t answer r

said finally. "And you terrify him bec

"I wish I cou

told me. "You need to become so

sliced t

inside o

an

reve

rmin

, Kael took me t

your final test

ked. "

face all you fear.

ow

ed back. "

one into the pool of water

curle

osphere

the mist m

ci

g. Seraphina

illusory Lucian said to me.

nds s

d down my ne

arer. "No one wanted yo

g broke

g up m

round

rying to maintain its s

rst from

ok the gla

withi

age di

sol

, panting, sparks da

smi

ady," he s

re the illus

nger fe

ger felt

n't compl

t

d towards

it?" I

head. "Someone

h tens

th

n through

ath, had wild eyes

me a di

coming," s

ho

per. "Seraphina as well." Th

ffene

wled low

e's a spy within your people.

ind h

s ra

ook my

to leav

didn't

n the gir

something I though

d pen

Lucian

the night h

ou find it?"

e, tears welli

id. "Lucian. He's n

ed. "Then what

k a ste

ing for y