she soon will be." "I don't understand," Lyra said, trying to keep her voice steady. "What do you want with us?" "The truth." Kael set the knife down on the anvil. "For centuries, my ancestors

he next his claws slashed through Thorne's chest. The young rebel fell without a sound. Lyra backed against the wall as Kael turned to her, blood dripping from his claws. "Now I understand," he said, his voice rougher in half-wolf form. "The rebels want your blood as much as I do." "I'm not going back to that cell," Lyra warned, holding her small knife. To her surprise, Kael laughed. "You were never my prisoner, Lyra Voss. You're my guest." His face changed back to human, though his eyes still burned gold. "And right now, you need my protection more than you know." Before she could argue, an explosion bigger than the others rocked the fortress. Part of the eastern tower fell in flames. "My pack is dying because of a curse your mother created," Kael said urgently. "Help me end it, and I'll help you find your sister." "Why should I trust you?" Lyra wanted. "Because unlike Garrick, I don't need to lie to you." Kael held out his hand. "The magical dagger you repaired? It wasn't meant for a sacrifice. It was made to break the curse." Shouts echoed from nearby. Rebel fighters were coming. "Choose quickly," Kael pushed. "Garrick wants your blood for power. I want your help for freedom." Lyra paused, then took his hand. "If you're lying about Mara-" "You'll what? Kill me?" His fingers closed around hers. "Get in line." Kael led her not back to the dungeons but to his private rooms high in the western tower. The room was surprisingly simple-a big bed, weapons rack, desk covered in maps, and shelves lined with ancient books. "No one will look for you here," he said, locking the door. "Especially not dressed as a woman again." Lyra smoothed her old tunic, glad to be free of her disguise. "Tell me about my mother." Kael moved to a closet and poured two glasses of wine. "Ariella Voss was a doctor in my father's time. She lived in your village before it became a mine camp." He gave her a glass. "When my father grew sick, he ordered she cure him. She couldn't-or wouldn't." "So he punished her?" Lyra asked angrily. "No. She punished him." Kael's face darkened. "She cursed our family. Each king must make the ritual sacrifice during the Blood Moon, or our pack descends into madness." He stared into his drink. "My father thought she was working alone. But I've heard she had an apprentice-someone who helped create the curse." "Who?" "Garrick's mother." Lyra nearly dropped her glass. "That's impossible. Garrick hates wolves more than anyone." "With good reason. My father killed his family when he found their involvement." Kael set down his wine unchanged. "Garrick doesn't want to end the curse, Lyra. He wants to control it. Use it against us." Her head spun with discoveries. "And what do you want?" "To break it completely." Kael's eyes met hers. "No more sacrifices. No more bloodshed." "Why should I believe you?" Lyra challenged. "You're the Wolf King. The tyrant who enslaved my people." Kael moved closer, his eyes intense. "Look at me, daughter of Ariella. What do you see?" For the first time, L