Valeri

and angry, and stalked out of the kitchen without another word. The heavy door swung shut behind him, leaving me alone

y rational thought screamed that this was a trick, a new, insidious form of torment. But the scent of it, rich and savory, was

cot, methodically sharpening a wicked-looking silver dagger with a whet

eyes immediately locking onto the meat. "Where did y

g for food, my devouring the stale bread, my opening the locked p

ry word. When Zane finished, a humorless smirk twisted

onfusion. "I checked it. There's no wolfsbane, no silver

s is her weapon. She wants to divide us. Make us soft. Make us fight over scraps so we forget who the rea

hard as flint.

? But he's been exil

est of our resolve, let's give it to the one who needs it most." It was a cruel calculus, born of desperation. A test and a twisted act of

hat they had to use their own brother as a guinea pig-w

e edge of the dark woods, a shadow detached itself from the trees. It was Kade. He wa

it, his eyes wide, and immediately brough

ce low. "We don't know if it's safe

med as he stared at the fresh meat. He tore off a small morsel

showed no signs of distress. With a choked sob, Kade fell upon the venis

ardened. Any flicker of doubt he'd had about Elara was extinguished, repla

er's room. "It was

her plan is more subtle than I thought," he concluded. "She's

ong the warriors most loyal to their cause. Ryker

y modern, human digestive system was not prepared for raw, uncooked meat. I was

ulsed in my vis

Affinity: -380 (De

t nothing to him. But below his

Affinity: -200 (Re

ct Goodwill

re, my actions had reached someone else, a tiny crack of light in the suffoca

gain, its edge keen and deadly. He looked at Zan

l you," he growled. "Remember h