OCATION IN

there but whenever his presence was required, he always seemed to be able to

a Veridian, a fae capable of compelling the truth from anyone, he was accustomed to

ep voice boomed from within

. It wasn't the first time he had attempted to find i

ng slightly. "Someone killed all of the men you s

ausing leaves to tremble and fall around him. The Ve

ration finding its way into his voice. "I can intercep

mmanded, its tone dropping to a de

g over him that he wouldn't have to face w

" the voice continued after

nge in subject. "My sources say she's... unusual. A wolf who can

wondered if its owner had left. Then it spoke again

r you, Veridian. We will get

er than to question the cryptic statement. For all his ability to compel the

aching on the edges of his vision. The Veridian fe

of Eldoria, the towering spires of the city visible in the distance. Hi

a cold stone in his stomach as he brushed dirt from his clothes. The voice's words echoed in

m, a sense of dread building within him. Whatever game was being played, he was merely a pawn, a disposable

than the last, weighed down by the knowledge that whatever he was being forced to do

**

SURROUNDI

leep. A silhouette loomed over him, blocking the sunlight filtering through the canop

t out a small yelp and toppled backward,

elf up to a sitting position. His hand instinctively conju

g. "I was watching you sleep," she admitted with surprising honesty. "

eeping. I was resting my eyes while remai

eleine countered, a smile playing at the corners

was you," h

ur breathing was deep, and you were making these little rumbling noises."

al. "Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "I was asleep. A

It's just, in the two weeks we've been traveling together, I've

and stretching muscles stiff from sleeping o

asked you dozens of things since we left Lunaria, and you either ignore me or giv

r presence there. "Get your things together," he said, pointedly ignoring

h, just loud enough for him to hear, she

deleine trailing a few steps behind, Dante fou

ng to chip away at defenses he'd spent centuries building. He quickened his pace, the weight of