79

Violet, Tavi, Dom, and Jasper stood around the couch. They had their arms up, and though their expressions were calm, concern was evident in their stiff postures. They looked like they were trying to convince a lion to set down a baby. Like they were dealing with a wild animal.

I looked up and found Night’s lips pulled back in a snarl, his teeth still sharp and wolf-like despite being in his human form. His pupils were dilated to the point that I couldn’t see the green of his irises. They twitched from person to person like he expected them to take me from him.

I wasn’t sure what had happened to put Night in such a state, but I wasn’t afraid of him even though I was literally inches away from those sharp teeth. Listening to the same instinct, which had encouraged me to go into the cave, I freed one of my arms and reached up to touch the side of his face.

The moment my hand touched his cheek, he relaxed, and his hold on me softened. He still held me against him, but less desperately. S