hrough Kael's che

xploded through his ribs, sharp and breath-stealing. The elders froze mid-argument. P

rely he

ond b

left. Not the distant throb he had trained him

live," h

d out before he

rne frown

ng control back into his limbs.

No one argued when his

pressed his fist against his chest. The pain pulsed

ren

as no long

as a

e smoke. Searches had turned up nothing. Nobody. No blood. Just absence

nd told hi

ed," he

was strong enough for th

mountains and old magic. Snow dusted the high ridges even under the s

l market with steady steps, a wo

a small voi

instantly. "You were the

e Elara, dark curls bouncing with each step. Her eyes, silver a

ies," Mira sai

Elara replied lightly.

Others bowed their heads slightly toward Elara. She noticed it without

enly, tugging at her sle

a pa

do you

ning to something only she

aced a hand over her heart inst

," she said.

nconvinced, but

the edge of the Frostveil territory. It

door, arms crossed,

" Elara said befo

e air shifted. Ol

ed slightly. "Th

thing," Rowan said caref

ar the doorway, drawing shapes in the dirt with he

stomach

" she sa

ed withou

r go. "She's str

kno

gerous,"

," Elara

ot sleep t

elt suddenly smaller. The bond pulled, a steady ache now, directional.

om me," he

urvived w

hurt more than

ed carefully. "A

Kael s

uard

lids, unbidden. Elara's calm face. Her steady vo

been p

im hard, sharp enoug

he sai

pulsed once,

irma

ing until stone crack

ch

i

efore dawn,

ember. She sat up slowly, pressing her

ere," she

eside her. "He

rom her daughter's fa

her eyes stayed o

said. "He'

red that. "T

miled f

dressed quietly. She stepped outside

s later. "You're leavin

said. "But I won't let hi

d her. "He w

take," Elara r

once. "Then

he Silver Fang

faintly as he approached, responding to the Alph

land he did

in his life, power

he said,

swered with

did

aightene

is once," he sa

is pack, decision settl

ld fin

s an

a com

roken something precious

, Mira's small hand clasped in hers. She felt the

ot turn t

daughter's hand and stared for

rejected h

asn't his