an growing even closer bef

e several lifetimes have passed since I plunged into the icy water, since it in

no Khijhana to rescue me this time, no Einar to keep me warm, and I

death out here, Damian follows as I knew he would. Of course,

s reactions. I hate that I can carefully calcula

bandon and betray every person or being

ter

i

om a deep sleep. My eyes open and my che

their torment? And how many more nights will

nd over my face as the sound grows louder. I can't sh

no longer lying next to me, though the small outl

t's what

mchair, and I notice Khi

ady gone to

y to the door before I realize the sound is coming from the passageway instea

door in the wall. Once I'm in the passageway, the caco

t the frame. Her metallic claws shine like daggers in the candlelig

from the chalyx. Khijhana stares up at me with something close to panic in her turquoise eyes."

I don't follow her yet. Instead, I head to the door to Zaina's bedroom to stop t

oors and windows are destroyed. The curtains and bedclothes

ere is

hurt," Gorm asks, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness,

e hurt

sight of something crimson on the floor stills my t

ta

just like the one on the rose I showed her less than twenty hours ago. Like the on

in seventeen years, already knowing what I will find, the reaso

s g