rred awake like

s sounded once, then fell silent. The air felt t

e servant corridor, clutc

he east

ne le

the

mach d

ms before I could t

uard said. "

ng would only confirm w

walls that now felt like they were closing in. Wolves watched as

ouncil chamber opened,

ts. Fear wra

w me to t

biting into my skin. I stayed there, br

len

e sliced thr

om fel

ted m

unmoving, his cane resting lightly on

m, I would have tho

ael said. "Tell

htly, as if listening to s

sination attempt,"

ed. "You fought li

ssed throug

idn't d

shifted to me. "And s

ery eye o

" another elder s

myself to

nt," Silas said.

rds hi

ened-but I did

"A servant who moves in battle. A servant

ed in fro

at me,

di

hed my face, s

u see tonigh

owed. "

w sc

all?" h

es

turned back to the

p tightened

as ordered

hen perhaps the order

read throug

ued, "we find the Alpha stronger. More dangero

art r

ect the pack," Kael said. "A

went

" he said

ignor

the b

oors

as dra

inner. Bruis

ght painfully

ment before a guard shoved

I whis

sed. "Family tie

orward. "This i

he moment she arrived. The assassin struck when

emained

s hands. "We s

wled up

udgment?" anoth

itate. "The gir

ars

l said. "To show the pack that no tr

s jaw

ishment?"

yes flic

cuti

rd hit

. Fi

oom e

ped br

en sound beside

pulled

ry. I didn

ed at

ce the rejection, I di

tirred-sha

ace didn'

s hand

t o

e at dawn," Kael said. "Until

r elder asked.

turned

held it

tood ve

not,"

shed somethin

lled me t

ged me away,

't reac

dn't

ugh the doors, his voice

she survive

rs slam

p. Chains clinked as they

k against the wall, breath

ion...

ps appr

opened

tepped

s remaine

the door b

t, neither

pace between us and c

fear, something fierce and res

't be here,"

ould you,"

t stopped just in

e said softly. "Every

d. "You said yo

"But not in the

r, his voice ba

ecution

rt stu

g you," he continued. "But th

ut Kian?"

efore sunrise," Silas

illed m

e added, "wi

red a

id, "I will pret

flared-ho

ter?" I

w tigh

ck will learn what it mea

hoed outsi

his calm mask snapp

away, his finge

ged...strong

fortress, a pair of unseen

it

ution was never

to expose wha

at d

e pack w