days p

d wolf, restless and calculating. Though the room was filled with silks, polishe

anging of patrols, and the comings and goings of Darkfang warriors. She knew how many steps it

en girl they thought she'd

ng to

door pulled her

id sharply, expect

wasn't a

as a

ck and a blade strapped across her chest. She moved like a war

aid, stepping in without a

you

l's second-in-comman

sed. Anot

head. "I expected

ld smile. "Sorr

thought you'd be. Most wolves would be begging for mercy

break,"

f you're going to survive what's

t's c

Coun

, brutal, and power-hungry. They didn't like change, didn't like weakness. If they

ey k

. "Kael's summoned them. He p

ered back.

aybe he's jus

is queen,"

n't have a choice. None of us

w clenched. "Why are

If you're going to stand by Kael's side, yo

. "I've lived amon

d. "Then maybe you'

-

night, Kael

hrone room-a massive, vaulted space carved from black stone and bone. At

iors. Elders. Nobles of

near the dais, were

ncil was

?" she said, keepin

anted you to see i

hat's at stake is my life, my fu

the war didn't

o you justify your sins by

ing. I've done what I had to do. And I

m I? A priso

re my

u don't get to say that lik

e. Even if you fight me. That bond between us-it's

et them come. Let them see me. I won't bow. I won't smile.

ething unreadable flicke

something she

wed hi

," he said quietly. "But to sta

ed the lump i

thing in retu

ifted h

ss to the fortress. I want to train. I want

pau

e," h

bout the Council. About your plans. Abou

ause. Then

ath. "Then let t

-

rtress awoke under the we

tion. The gates opened to seven black carri

crimson, her hair braided with silver threads. She l

e, her hea

seven figures cloaked in fur and g

e stone. "So it's true," he said. "The Darkfan

I am Aria of Mooncrest

lence

ed. "She has fire, Kael. B

nd on Aria's back

f the fortress closed behin