t the edges. Every muscle in her body screamed for rest, but she didn't dare stop. Not when she

ing her teeth, she pushed herself up with trembling arms. She had no idea how far

he wound, feeling the warm stickiness of blood seep through h

snapped b

urched forward, barely able to see through the thick mist curling around the

led roots before she landed hard on a flat surface. Pain flared through her, b

pping into her limited field of vis

spass into Obs

hat, the world

skin. Soft furs beneath her, a crackling fire nearby. The

and she nearly bolted u

ael Tho

with unreadable dark eyes. He looked every bit as dangerous as the stories whispe

o find herself weak and rest

's voice was deep,

owed hard

now bandaged. "And why were you

the truth, would he send her

slightly. "I don

words out. "I

e, but she felt the weight

in her throa

ed against his knee

lse pounding. "Becau

fire crackled, casting flickering

e. "And why shou

fists. "I have nothi

have everything to gain. A wounded woman stumbles i

chest. "I didn't ask

tepping closer. "Th

ong that she hadn't thought beyond survival. B

t want to

he admitted, voice ba

adable. Then he turned away. "Rest

ized she was holding. But something in

ven c

to register the sharp knock on the door before a large, bur

's a

odded.

crossed his arms. "The

l's tone was

ensed. "

n't think we'd just let a

lance before turning to h

had survived the night, but th

vy with suspicion. Selene stood beside Rael

uld be

ak. Not o

cing them. "Selene will s

e group. A woman with fiery red hair step

hardened. "Then

They followed strength, not kindness. And if she

smirked. "Then let's

pounded. One

stay, she would

cing whatever cha