t speak

rfect memory, even though the compound was a maze of tunn

n, I did

s pu

d the door shut behind us and shoved the heavy bolt into place. It clic

asked, holding the scroll

way. He turned away and pr

de, n

oots

yel

sil

id finally. "They didn't belong

up. "Wha

. "One we were neve

u're going to have t

ther negotiated with the Eastern packs. A secret alliance. It was sig

piece of paper bin

g it binds Bla

down at t

leather. No sym

understan

ey can make it look like we're in league with them. That we've

liance will

"Thousand

the scro

aling faster than I

ut spies or politics anymor

I'd

nnocent wolf on eith

ning it,

t me like I'd

can

s. It's paper. It doesn't

leverage we have. If we destroy it, we lose

sit in some dusty drawer until someone else s

dn't

e knew I

and knelt. The flames had died down to embers, but

u still don

dn't

Tell me it was just a strategy. That none of it

His hands curled in

didn't

the scroll

d and bl

o

to the flames

t have done t

I d

ne. "That's goi

hen add it t

ed away

akness. Out o

when a fight wasn

, word ha

er was torched. The Council sent out scouts to check the b

n't i

hat I

res. Some warriors whispered when I passed. Others didn't bother

ever really

t pretend t

ards, No noise. Just the sound of a stallion pawing the

omeone who's supp

urn

y the stall,

lways followin

re a magnet f

bout to say t

r, not threateni

at-silent, steady, an

again, like he was still

d

n mine. "You didn

tation gets p

dn't

e wooden frame. "Why'd y

know

o hear yo

e stretche

h

e only one

lin

aid that th

uch at all when

way of showing t

choice b

," I said, voice quiet.

They were going to execute you, Elara. The onl

n't even

ad, they'd have

llowe

the Kael I

to sneak bread into the orp

rved out of the m

h that I could smell t

eed, don't yo

iffe

of questi

I bled when I stood before the Council and told them I didn't l

n't to

n't ne

en us was alr

you want from me,

"I want you to fight with me, n

ed up

let myself remember what it

door slam

e

ween us, lips

ts both of you,"

tened. "What

w about t

sn't a

who set the fi

t w

t was

went cold

omeone set fire to the Western Gate to. The

cur

ked a

pale. Her h

more,"

toward her.

found

omething fro

end

racked and co

I kn

hang from O

her's p

ooked

bury him?

ldn't

the answ

found

no

like maybe som

wor

d never stopped