linding. One moment the road was visible, and the next, it w
ed through the windshield. The heater wheezed out a weak breath of lukewarm air, barely en
meant to
dn't planned to stop, only pass by unnoticed. But the storm had come out of nowhere, fast and wild and for
an hour ago. The radio
had started
fast. Wolves, maybe. But they moved differently. Quiet. Calcula
ng hidden beneath the snow. Eira slammed the brakes, heart l
tled, unnat
outside. The forest loomed, trees bending beneath t
red in the corn
ne sh
ze
as she turned t
growl..deep
a slap, wind whipping her hair across her face. She wrapped her coat tighte
ds were
hing exploded
me to move. The wolf stopped inches from her, snarling, its teeth gleaming like ivor
didn't
used, and seem
across its face, a
nding in her throat, but she
rength or at least
, then slowly stepped
mis
istle pier
ed and melted into the trees
ath fogged in the air as she stared
she s
ack coat dusted with snow. His hair was dark and tousled, his face sharp, expres
d didn't touch him. L
stared at her. Like he already
st, his voice low and smooth, carryin
answered,
trespa
ot l
d car, then back at her. "Yo
it wasn't par
quiet and endless. He tilted his head slightly, assess
s your
d tether you to people and places. She'd
e said. "E
on. A flicker of recognition. But
ke you i
You're not going to eat
d his lips. "Not unl
he didn't argue. He gestured toward a sleek black SUV parked ju
er option, s
-
was quie
ns. He drove like the road obeyed him. Li
oice casual. "Do
en Th
thing in the back of
at him. "Thorne? As
eact
half th
nce at her. "All o
cou
e the
d out before sh
dn't flin
heard whispers about Winterborne. About
knew it
-
, ancient, carved from black stone with windows glowing behind
stone archway. Eira stared
leave?" she ask
opened her door. "Thi
ked. "Ex
aving tonight.
t agree
, here y
oward the entrance, ex
ed. But fol
-
arths. Soft golden light glowed from antique cha
all, elegant woman waite, dark hair streak
said. "She'll show
ou're seriously
loser. His v
arly tore your throat out. You di
. "That do
just some woman str
ough her skin. Through her bones. To w
know what
at him, bre
w what you t
hat you are," he said sof
ze nar
e frost. And f
respond, he tur
sat on the bed, firelight flickering across
she doi
ing from her past, fro
r like she wasn't just something t
, she wasn't sure she
ood before the fire i
ntered quietly. "
look away. "Sh
hould
kno
not h
. "And she doesn't kn