Vanc

circles under my eyes and blush to fake a healthy glow. I had to be perf

paper in his hands. He looked up and smiled, a brilliant, false smile that didn't

nly flourish and tucking my napkin into my la

the sweet smell made my stomach heave. The scent of wild ginger

ickness bad today?" he asked, his brow f

smile. "Yes, just

Lyra snarled in my he

elt like the cold, slick skin of a snake. "I was thinking," he said, his voice a soft, persuasi

r against my ribs. Here

nued, squeezing my hand. "A short hunting t

name tolled like a fu

saw it. A flicker of cold, predatory intent behind the loving

I knew. My mother's voice echoed in my memory, a lesson from long ago: *Sometimes, the most dangerous p

ise. "Really? Gloomfang Peaks? Oh, Ryker, I'v

tor that had successfully cornered its prey. "Just the two of us," he added

ses. The perfect pla

owering my gaze. "Whate

ved with frantic purpose. I opened a secure channel on my mind-lin

ht tomorrow, please look after my mother. An

m in my head. *Elara? What's

ay more, before I could endanger he

nning knife hidden in the lining of my boot. A flint and steel. And a small leather pouch o

ace was pale, my violet eyes huge and dark, b

of violence. "For our pup, we will drive them all out

led my sweetest, most loving smile and looped my arm through his. I was

lur past the window. This wasn't a hunting trip. It was a high-stakes gambl