MasukWe reached the clearing where Zephyrous and Evalandra were already waiting. Zeph wore his usual cool, unreadable mask; Evalandra waved excitedly at our approach,
“You got it done faster than I thought,” Evalandra said, grinning. “How did the fight go with The Yale? You don't look injured?” Ev looked me up and down.
“I guess I’m g
Morning arrived far too soon. Pale light crept through the branches, transforming the mist between the trees into a dull silver. As the fire had burned down to a bed of glowing embers, the clearing grew cold, causing every breath to form a faint cloud in front of my face. Consequently, I burrowed deeper beneath my cloak..Sleep had come in short, miserable pieces, with lightning flashing across pale skin and bones cracking somewhere in the darkness each time I drifted off. Now my eyes felt packed with sand, and a dull ache pulsed behind them.“Rise and shine, everyone!”Ev’s voice cut through the quiet with entirely too much cheer.I dragged my cloak over my head. “No.”Leaves crunched as she approached my bedroll.“An inspiring response.” She teased as she tried pulling my cloak.“Go away,” I groaned, curling onto my side.“We need to reach the checkpoint before nightfall.”&nbs
I woke up screaming.“Nera!”A man's voice called my name. Then hands grabbed my shoulders.rs. I fought them.“No! Let me go!”“Nera!”I swung blindly. Someone caught my wrist.“It's me.”Carlin.His voice cut through everything, causing me to freeze. My eyes focused, taking in the fire, the trees, and the bedroll. I was back at camp.Carlin knelt over me, his hands gripping my shoulders. His hair, still tousled from sleep, framed eyes wid
The fire had burned down to glowing embers by the time Zeph announced he was leaving us. Of course, he didn't bother easing into the subject.“I'll be going a different way in the morning.”I looked up from where I sat beside Bella. “What?”Zeph continued cleaning his Mages staff as if he hadn't just announced he was abandoning us after everything that had happened. Across the fire,no one looked surprised by his announcement.“You're leaving?” I asked.“Yes.”“Why?”Zeph glanced up. “I have somewhere else I need to be.”
The first sign something was wrong was the silence. Seeker camps were never silent. Someone was always arguing over food, sharpening a weapon, laughing too loudly, complaining about guard duty, or telling a story that grew more ridiculous with every retelling.But as we approached the camp, there was nothing. No voices. No laughter. No clang of steel from the training grounds.Even Bella slowed. Her ears rose, her entire body going rigid beside me.Carlin stopped so suddenly I nearly walked into him.“What?” I whispered. His hand was already on his sword.“Stay behind me.”I frowned. “That's never going to happen.”
“What… was that for?” Once The shock wore off. I looked at the woman."I know your tall, dark, and brooding friend wouldn't let me live. So I figured I'd prove it. I don't mean you any harm. Also, don't try to pronounce my full name. I hate my full name. Just call me Zin." She held out her hand to me for a shake. I took it, and she immediately pulled me in.She leans in close. And whispers in my ear, “ look forward being close with you.” and proceeds to kiss me below my earlobe sending shivers down my body, but not the bad kind.As I processed her words, I am quickly yanked back and silver metal is in the corner of my eye“What the hell are you doing?” Carlin asked.“Just givin
Carlin shifted beside me.“Nera.”I looked up. His expression had changed. The teasing was gone. So was his crooked smile. Instead, there was concern.“If Reimer is paying people to hunt you,” he said quietly, “she may not be the only one.”The thought landed like a stone in my stomach. I looked toward the dark trees surrounding our camp. They suddenly didn't feel empty anymore. Bella must have sensed my unease because she pressed against my leg, a low rumble building in her chest. Then the woman spoke.“If you're worried about the people Reimer hired…”I turned back to her. Her expression had gone grim. I didn’t like that.“You should be.”Zeph moved closer to me as Carlin's hand moved toward his sword. I swallowed.“Why?” I asked, I needed to know. My very life depended on it. The woman met my eyes.“Because I wasn't
My parents sat at the head of the hall, commanding every gaze. Father’s broad shoulders filled his high-backed chair, Mother’s poise as sharp as any blade. Both wore deep green trimmed with brown. The colors of House Verden, echoing the forests that bound our lands. Father’s gaze pinned me the mome
The tea room glowed with firelight and polite chatter, silver spoons clinking gently against porcelain cups. Yet despite the warmth, my father’s cold anger clung to me like frost, coiling tighter the longer I lingered at his side. Something gnawed at him beneath that regal composure, and I
“Come on, Belladonna. If I have to be awake, so do you.” I shoved gently at the great furry mass hogging my blankets. Bella cracked open one amber eye, huffed a hot breath that smelled faintly of venison scraps, and sprawled wider across the bed. Her thick coat was warm under my hand,
“Come on, Nera! Wake up! We have very important company today!” The shrill voice of my lady's maid Hana cut through my dreams like a knife. I groaned, curling deeper into the tangle of sheets, I didn’t want to get up. I was having such a nice dream of the forest. Another knock on my door had me fi







