TEN - The A

hreshold into the lodge, Lyra

te on his shoulder, dark crimson dripping down his arm. He tried to hide it-he always tried-

gently, guiding him towa

e," he m

o take another step

e hit the floor, panic r

ae

ng. "You're not fine-there was something wrong

eth, sweat beading

He winced. "Moonblood venom. It

twisted. "How

ed away-t

pered, voice sha

aw cl

to be pu

s good

er eyes, silver

eer can pull venom

raced th

mean.

nodde

venom will fight you. It might

rd. "What happens

d, slow and

shi

pau

on't shi

at him, hea

s wolf form, lost to madness,

ercely. "I won't

a tired, b

etting br

his wounded shoulder. The skin around the bite pulsed wi

hat to do,

ply as her finger

mark-focus on me. You have to pull the

ened, growing

... h

osed h

nstantly, reactin

warm at first-then blistering h

letting the Oath sho

ly she

colors in

ver -

-red -

ngled togeth

ing

er power towa

issing like so

rched

gasped. "

ore energy i

g cold, stabbing up her arm like ice nee

eezing hard. His eyes glowed wolf-brigh

shed h

veins, threads of darkness pulling outwa

d-but she di

sing his forehead against he

th me...

her the streng

yra ripped the venom free. It burst i

t with a flash of

m fell

ipping from his brow. Lyra caught him, pulling h

losed befor

e whispere

lowly... then gave a

he murmured. "

relief, resting her

e she cou

er cheek, thumb br

is voice wa

it does to me when I t

ent s

etween them-slow,

ed, eyes loc

can feel it. And I don't know i

heart p

answer, a knock sla

here. They demand to sp

stiff

breath

Coun

prop

ision of

was about