TER

enne

ar scent of jasmine and myrrh. Softness cradled me-pillows, maybe

l second, I tho

had escaped then

e columns and silk-covered walls. The room looked lik

nd my waist, and pain jolted through my muscle

ses wer

hains, the fights... vanished. My skin was

y on my hands and legs in the candlelight li

napped my attent

er's entrance. They were dressed in dull colored robes, t

," one of th

. "The markings... I've nev

ng those runes, keeping them buried beneat

ter around me, forcing my

woman stepped forward. Her face was lin

ord Balthaza

. I'd never heard it before, b

re?" My voic

ated. "You were deliv

of fear slid

with Moonsbane. The one who

," I said. "And I do

epped forward. "You're safe," sh

d Balthazar

le

decide your future," the

isoner," I re

ly. "You are... a gu

ial" had never meant an

d. "Please. We've been instruc

run, to fight but there

odded.

n the center, the water scented heavily with oil and flowers I

ndress me, I froze.

tradition. Honored guests are bathed

ed gu

y retort and le

ands surprisingly gentle. The bath soothed m

ul," one whisp

. they're l

en a woman wit

It was easier to p

efully, brushing my hair and trac

w..." one

lvet gown. Elegant. Modest. A single

ssant an

ate

d, the older woman ste

re re

eady but I foll

ped walls. My bare feet padded softly over polished

doors, flanked by guards in match

rs crea

velvet curtains, obsidian floors, gold in ev

tha

t what I

ight, stretched too thin over sharp bones and deep creases fram

very finger. A red gem hung at his throat, pulsing faintly wit

reath, lips moving constantly as if in con

ad his arms and let ou

he sang. "A silver wolf! Ru

pped

hoking the air. Musky and sweaty. His head

ped inc

g me greedily. "So powerful. I heard

shot out, gr

fury flashin

ered, fingers like

ace free. "Do

ond, he w

d and strange. He clutched his belly l

-sil

smoothing his robe. His

," he

dn't

e repeate

il

ed. Fingers cur

et off a nearby table. Wine spi

outed. "She's not what sh

rds. His eyes gleame

to the d

o-

. I struggled, kicked

ll break you down, My little wolf.

down the hallway as

ed behind me and the