*Blanca*Kieran is gone–swallowed up by a tree! I can hardly believe what I’m seeing. The tree simply opened, and now, he’s disappeared. It takes me a moment to comprehend, and I have to wonder if perhaps all trees are capable of this, and my sheltered life has left me thinking otherwise, but then I
Luna Delaney approaches us carefully, her face as ashen as possible considering she has a dark complexion like me. Her eyes are also dark, as is her hair, which is tied up on the top of her head. I see the crinkles around her eyes that say she’s had a hard life, and I am again reminded of myself. A
*Kieran*The moment Blanca starts naming names, I know we’re in for it. I want to tell her to be more vague, but I also don’t think it’s a wise decision to be secretive right now, and we still don’t have the mind-link. I was an idiot for not believing she was my mate and going ahead with the ceremon
I also see a well. That explains how everyone is clean. They have fresh water. I’m assuming they tapped into something my father and his men didn’t poison.The Luna’s house isn’t too far. By the time we arrive, I’m glad I’ll be sitting down soon. My back hurts from the fall, and I have a slight limp
*Raven*I blink a few times and am glad the Luna hasn’t handed me the picture to hold because I would probably drop it and shatter the glass all over the packed-earth floor.“What did you say your daughter’s name is?” My voice is a whisper, and I hope that it doesn’t betray the emotions that are wel
I swallow hard, thinking of Kieran’s theory. He nudges me with his knee, and I give him a slight nod. “Luna Delaney,” I begin, wondering why the same thought that is in my head hasn’t occurred to her yet. Perhaps she’s too forlorn. “I was a few months old at the time of the attack,” I begin. She ti
*Kieran*After a tearful reunion with her mother, Blanca–I mean Raven–is taken outside to meet the rest of the pack. I tag along in awe of everything I’m seeing. Unlike my mate, I’ve known my parents my whole life, and I’ve always felt like they loved me. But after seeing this, I’m beginning to real
“Nola,” Delaney chastises. “Keery has said he will be helping Cole return to us. Let’s support that. We know, as much as anyone, what it’s like to have your mate stolen away from you. In order for Keery to help us, he will have to leave Raven behind. That’s difficult for anyone, especially newly fou
My quill flows across the page, writing down every word of the story. Mother’s voice rings in my ears, soft over familiar phrases. When I’m done, I don’t read it over. I’ll just crumple it up if I do. But I scribble one last thing at the end.Even if the tower never falls….Seconds tick away as I st
HollisI’m a moron. Worse than that, I’m insane. That’s what Mother said when she found out I’d stuck my tongue to the frozen pole outside of the kitchen three times in a week and basically skinned the damn thing every time. But every time, I thought it would be like in a story Eva and I read, where
“I want something more active,” I say. “Like you. I want to… I don’t know… make something?”“Easy.” Ingrid claps her hands together. “Have you ever done any fine arts? Drawing, painting, sculpting?”I shake my head. Yet another class Mother thought was filling my head up with nonsense.“Okay. I know
CandaceI’m sitting at the dressing table, fixing my hair for the first time in days, when a bird starts singing right outside my tent. An ash warbler. For the third time since sunset yesterday. I almost smile.When it first happened, I made Ingrid go check. We were way outside of where the warbler
‘Catch me if you can!’ she calls through the mind-link.In wolf form, I can’t give her the necklace if I want to. I stuff her clothes and mine in her sewing bag, then shift and give chase.Escuro flies by. I barely notice it. My attention remains locked on Eva’s bright-red tail disappearing between
HollisMy plan to act like I actually believe Eva is going to be my wife is going great—except for the fact that I basically haven’t slept since I started it because my mark hurts so Goddess-damned bad. That’ll fade. I know it will. Because I do believe Eva’s going to be my wife. It’s what everyone
Outside the tent, someone makes the tiniest whimper I’ve ever heard. My heart squeezes.“They can come in, but no lights.” I sit up. “And don’t ask, please.”Ingrid nods and starts to turn away, but her gaze locks on mine. She’s noticed. Of course. Every muscle in my body tenses.She turns back for
CandaceFor the third morning in a row, I pull my covers over my head as lunch approaches and rub eyes gritty from crying.Well, not exactly the third morning in a row. The very next day, I tried. I got up, made myself beautiful even as Ingrid fluttered around me, saying I didn’t have to go out if I
Not that I’m keeping track. I, in fact, am doing the exact opposite. I’ve been so caught up in her that I’ve been neglecting my responsibilities. Even if she’s not the person I’m going to spend my life with, I still believe in her dream. There’s just no reason for her to lie, or to seem so scared if