ke skeletal fingers, the ancient and grotesque trees twisted aloft. The forest's wet freshness gave way t

he sa

ca

Not some forgotten cr

as y

ow. The hue seeped over the jagged stones, dripped from above like liquid wax, and covered the ground in so

serving the cave

you concealing?

he entere

The walls, coated with an otherworldly gloss, appeared nearly alive, their golden tint changing

etation-the

th. Some trembled as if responding to his breath, while others flinched when his shadow moved o

squi

ace was

back. Might have sensed the unn

n was no

s hand. Beneath his fingertips, there was a gentle, w

ened. "You are

-mov

nce. His eyes darted up, all his muscles tense

. Not someth

st blended in with the cave's unearthly radiance. Around its narrow throat was a belt of silver, shiny and polished. Orion grinned again. "What is an a

d. The rabbit did not flinch, d

metal, "Someone owns you." Noting the absence of

ourse not. It w

fortlessly. "You will be mine once you have no master left. In

-a v

it

immediately, turnin

he passageways deeper within the cav

er eyes lock

s... s

fit right in. Clinging to her arms, golden paint curled over her high cheekbones and poured across her face like melted wax. Her long, unrest

a spirit

t

athed.

is head slightly. "Who are you?" His tone was steady and quiet. She gripped the dagger more tightly. "Who are you, and why are you in my woods?

dn't f

't r

ll in hand, Orion stepped forward. "You live here." It was not a question. He could see it now

d in it. "How d

le

she m

n light, she lunged a

-sharp. The blade missed him by a breath. She twist

was

than ex

ntercepted by Orion, who slightly twisted her wrist to throw her off balance. She stum

ed. Inte

in, but this tim

st enough. It hit the mossy floor with a clatter. She growled. A voice too untamed and wild for a typical girl. Orion outpaced her as she swung a clawed fist at his face. Before she could hit

stum

collapsed

alations, and her golden-streaked skin felt warm under his fingertips. Now that he was closer, he could see how peculiar she was. She ap

t a s

someth

brought me here," he said in a voice that was almost a

on her

as hi

as he looked down at the unco

did not

ing he would find