Valeri

and angry, and stalked out of the kitchen without another word. The heavy door swung shut behind him, leaving me alone

y rational thought screamed that this was a trick, a new, insidious form of torment. But the scent of it, rich and savory, was

cot, methodically sharpening a wicked-looking silver dagger with a whet

eyes immediately locking onto the meat. "Where did y

g for food, my devouring the stale bread, my opening the locked p

ry word. When Zane finished, a humorless smirk twisted

onfusion. "I checked it. There's no wolfsbane, no silver

s is her weapon. She wants to divide us. Make us soft. Make us fight over scraps so we forget who the rea

hard as flint.

? But he's been exil

est of our resolve, let's give it to the one who needs it most." It was a cruel calculus, born of desperation. A test and a twisted act of

hat they had to use their own brother as a guinea pig-w

e edge of the dark woods, a shadow detached itself from the trees. It was Kade. He wa

it, his eyes wide, and immediately brough

ce low. "We don't know if it's safe

e red-rimmed as he stared at the fresh meat. He tore off a small mor

showed no signs of distress. With a choked sob, Kade fell upon the venis

ardened. Any flicker of doubt he'd had about Elara was extinguished, repla

er's room. "It was

her plan is more subtle than I thought," he concluded. "She's

ong the warriors most loyal to their cause. Ryker

y modern, human digestive system was not prepared for raw, uncooked meat. I was

ulsed in my vis

ffinity: -380 (De

t nothing to him. But below his

finity: -200 (Rese

ct Goodwil

re, my actions had reached someone else, a tiny crack of light in the suffoca

gain, its edge keen and deadly. He looked at Zan

l you," he growled. "Remember h