His dagger gleamed in the moonlight, each strike calculated and precise. Elora could only watch in terrif

r and more fluid than any athlete she'd ever seen. The rogue lunged, jaws

ed, his voice guttural,

rsplitting howl, its glowing eyes locked on Joel, but there was something wild an

tumbling back. The beast snarled in pain, its massive form heaving with

tween her and the rogue. "You want he

and mocking. "You can't protect her forever," it ra

a final, blood-curdling cry before collapsing to the floor, its body convulsing as its form began to s

alling heavily. The dagger trembled in his h

s barely a whispe

e blade on his sleeve before sliding it back

n?" she asked, he

gues don't act alone. If one was sent after y

. She pushed herself to her feet, clutching th

he only one who might know what's h

small bag, a water bottle, and a map that he tucked into

mean?" she a

nced at h

t protect her forever.'

It means they know you're important. A

d to argue, to demand more answers,

n. The forest was eerily quiet, as though holding its breath. Jo

aid, leading her

their feet. Joel's pace was relentless, and Elora st

breathlessly, "how

night," he replied. "We'll need to fi

Joel held up a hand, signaling her to stay still. His shar

it?" Elora

mured, his voice

m the trees. Elora's breath caught as she saw another wo

ld act, the wolf shifted. Its form melted away,

said, his voice smooth and taunting. "T

on. "We're just passing thr

licking to Elora. "And who's

blood r

is," Joel growled, st

rrender. "Relax. I'm not here to fig

rrowed. "Why wo

y I'm not a fan of the rogues ei

g her stomach. She didn't trust this stran

d reluctantly. "W

Oh, nothing much. Just a fa

tightened, but he nodded. "

ith this-your little friend here isn't what she seems. And if you don'

-