al

oulder pulsed like

Not pleasant.

ngers still pressed against the carved stone. It shimme

few paces behind her, respectful of the moment, but close

dn't a

he didn't

g vast. The kind of power that didn't ask for

eeth ache, her blood hum. The runes weren't just carve

ey kne

where my mother d

es

it feel like

in the cool forest air. "Because the Luna Fl

lowly. "Wait

ne who can

m a healer. Not a warrior. I don

d neither of you understand, and blood-sworn to a magic the Council tried

. "And what happ

s eyes. "Then Moonridge lear

-

ss

e same lette

ders of t

t. I request time to investigate the origin of the flare that registered at the Blac

C

his is suicide, Cassian. They're calli

lied, eyes hard. "I'm not playing politics while

ing mercenary wolves. Elira's planning a private engagement ceremony with

t their

right now, you're not m

lowly. "Then I'

-

al

low that night.

r mother's journal in her lap. She r

. It is a reckoning. It canno

she walked away. He hadn't hovered when she returned to camp. But he was always

he broke t

name would

ere he was cleaning

hy

y blood. By birthright. And because your mother made en

ought the Syndicate w

bloodlines. Your mother was the last of the Blackridge line. She

m. "I don't want

oment Cassian marked you, the moment the Council exiled you, they made you a sy

nd outside whispered through t

be a symbol," s

yr replied. "Y

-

ss

ore the Coun

his every move. Crescent representatives lingered in t

dn't

lpha's Right,"

tirred. Whisp

. "You intend to override

ian said, "to de

red. "A girl who

d. "One who bears a bloodline even your historie

staff once. "And i

xt time she walks through those gates, it will n

d through t

What the hell ar

link. "I'm givin

-

al

," Veyr said the n

she was meditating beside

send someone eventually, either

. "Then t

short blade. "

instinctively, bl

with barely a

ain. And agai

me, he w

time, she

clung to her skin, and her chest bur

ong enough,"

will be. You don't need to be

t do I ne

her dead i

reak

-

ss

nridge training g

d bowed. Every recruit s

d behind him

she's going to com

didn't

ooked up at t

hung low, pa

her scent in

n in he

t every time he turn

ck," he said softly. "But I kno

-

al

d low and Veyr finally slept, T

before t

de. No

y h

her palm on

it ins

they didn't

y s

protective spells, wolves burning with w

n, her

fire, not beside an

choed in

hosen... must become

opened

he name her mot

yk

flared i

in Moonridge, Cassia

d mark