Chapter 41

Ezra was sullen when he returned to the library that afternoon. I left only for lunch, more to catch up on gossip. My nerves prevented any hunger, but I had to keep my strength up. The gossip was about Dominick, but it seemed that no one could confirm his death. The talk was almost immediately shushed by Amelia, even though I could tell she was dying to find out more.

Ezra sat on the chair next to me across from the fire. I put down my book about old pack treaties and laws and gave him my full attention.

“The next challenge is moved to tomorrow; it has to be changed completely,” he said.

“Is that more work for you?” I asked, trying to assess his cold mood.

“A bit, but I volunteered.” Half of his lips tugged up, and he leaned forward so the sharp yet beautiful planes of his face danced in the fireplace. “It’s the challenge they want,” his voice dropped.

“Now that they’re only two, they don’t want to skip to the dual. They’re doing a sort of race.”

“And that’s different from an obs