ad turned into a

lves in human form stalked the trees, and the air smelled like steel, b

s fixed on the moonlit trees beyond the wall. Somewher

silence... or the feeling of being w

age. He was half-dressed, towel around his neck, hair wet from the shower. And s

n't be alon

ook at him. "I

e. But they'll come a

Prince-Malrick. Is he r

owly. "Stronger.

rse

g infected him years ago-magic from the east. He merg

uld he

ecause if he mates with you, he'll have access to the White Moon line. That

f I re

ay," Lucien said gri

"I won't let anyone

I never wanted to use you. I wanted to prot

itched. "The

u make the beast quiet. You

something unspoken, until a sh

st in with

orest," she said. "An

on a shirt, strapping a bla

o m

barrier

t they're no

"Then what ar

. "They're deman

th

dropped like

tared.

k's envoys came forward. Alon

wled. "It'

ither way, we don't have a choice. If

ked to Raven. "You

she snapped. "This is

e not

get me

at her,

a, prepare the chamber

hed. "I sai

upted. "This one is protective. Wards you f

tated. "Wi

much as what Malrick will do to

ed hard. "T

ickering candles and ancient markings drawn in ash and blood. She stripped to the w

ena said. "It won't save you, but

he circle, arms crosse

odded.

er shoulder blades. Blood welled, then sizzled as Helena pre

t below the first. Then a third

apsed to her knees, shaking,

na whispered, voice

arbone. A straight line that flared

it wa

en faded into her skin like

vision swimmin

"That's how I

er side, kneeling

ust for a moment. "Let

-

waiting by the

black silk with silver embroidery. His eyes gl

nd Lucien approache

" he said, lips curling. "He

ur kind started thi

e we are, off

point," Ra

tilted. "You are more beautifu

nd you're more puncha

n smi

ites you to parley. Neutral grou

N

estate to ash. No more games. No more warnings. He has see

forward. "If

" the envoy said. "U

blood

sent under duress was still c

ut it," she sai

take too long. The moon

he va

e blink, and

to her. "There

eed. "But maybe

her. "You'r

raw him out, force him to reveal himself, maybe

e who drinks magic and ki

d it yourself, Lucie

e between them, eyes b

ed from

second, he

lled her into a kiss that wa

ierce and defiant, lik

art, he whispered,

aid. "We do

over the forest,

ance, a new howl echo

Luci

his

ne was

gri

knew he