r P

trees overhead cast the path in a perpetual twilight, and the air grew cool and clean, smelli

thered wood. A simple carved sign read "Pinecrest Sanctuary." It wa

the carriage and knoc

he gate swung open to reveal a woman who looked to be in her late sixties, with her gray hair pulle

se at seeing Martha, then narrowed w

Ever Montgomery. She wishes to pay her respects t

could peel back my skin and inspect my soul. I stood perfect

as crisp and cold as an autumn morning. "She is not r

my stomach, but I didn't

announce us. The girl has traveled a long w

y own carefully composed one. With a small, irritated sigh, she turned

econd felt like an hour. My ent

ion unchanged. She delivered

elongs at the Montgomery manor. She is no

olute. A solid wall d

ent and disappointment. She placed a hand on my

didn't

d the closed gate, bowed deeply from the wa

ogies to my grandmother," I said, my voice clear and steady, laced with just the right a

a small, sad smile. "Thank you fo

ding, the quiet dignity-clearly took both women by

played my final card. I spoke softly, as if to

I was so frightened. I thought if I could just see her, i

my past life in the gauzy,

the gate, froze. Among wolves, especially those of s

s turning in her head, connecting my words to the rumors and whisper

a new, complex interest. She gave a curt nod, turned on her h

e was gone fo

, she was carrying a thick,

wall of ice had cracked. "Mistress Herta says the evening

shoulders. The wool was soft and

re so troubled by dreams, you will remain here. In the outer guest quarters. Mar

ome. It wasn't an audience. But it

ll, but she had extended a ha

ndow stared back. I could see nothing inside, but I felt it-a gaze, ancient and weighing, like a scale that could measure the ma

to hide the cold

move was