n't blee

ike veins of molten lava beneath his skin, pulsing with something wild and ancient. It wasn't pa

eady his breathing as Alero backed away, her ey

see?" he asked

nd came out. Her throat bob

said finally. "

tomach t

's d

she... she

wed. "That's n

r name," Aler

ole forest were holding its breath. The fire around them had snuff

wly. "What els

g at her sides. "She said the bond wa

"Then what w

arely audible.

n through K

murmured. "But he's

ond, a new sound broke

slow and

a long black coat. His silver-white hair was tied back, and a single ri

rped,-bent, like grav

flin

ively moved t

Well, well," he drawled. "Isn't this adorable? The

emerged. "W

Council buried. What her mother tried

straight

, daug

und hard, staring at him like the w

at's no

That was your mother's gift. Min

ling off his body. "She said her

ile deepened

hand-and the ring o

collapsed, clutching her ribs. The mark on her side bla

lun

move. Just flic

nded, limbs locked in pl

k this is fate? No. You're her anchor. You were picked to

rained, jaw clenc

e. She's a vessel. And that bond? It's a seal. It wa

to her elbows, breathin

ugged. "I c

ice cracked.

ut even she couldn't burn out the

er, gaze burni

s a

words settl

ng..." He paused and smiled.

ike that, h

c snapped free. He rolled to his side, he

oka

dn't a

had stood. The space still shimmered faintly,

quiet. "He w

owly. "What d

Since I was a kid, In night

at her palms. Th

escape," she said. "He'

ooked

s to rep