LOGIN"That’s not courage," he snapped. "That’s stupidity."He loosened his grip for a fraction, an adjustment.I used it.I slipped under his arm and bolted.Cold air hit me like a punch as I burst outside. Snow and mud sucked at my bare feet as I ran along the path Asher had taken. My lungs burned. Fear
My claws flashed and tore into its arm before it could glide away. Thick black-red blood spattered the snow.It didn’t scream.It smiled wider."Well," it said, delighted, "they didn’t tell me you’d come out yourself."Nero surged, furious at the implication.The vampire’s eyes raked over me like it
Grim appeared out of the treeline like smoke given muscle, slate-gray and massive, eyes bright with predator focus. He didn’t slow as he passed me, only angled his head slightly, confirming I was on the scent too."This way."Then he vanished again.I followed.The wards hummed faintly at the edges
Asher DravenHartSavannah’s oath still hung in the armory air, heavy as iron, spoken too bravely for a world that didn’t forgive ignorance."Ashes to ashes. My word is my bond."I’d barely finished my warning when the wrongness slid back in.Not the clean cold of stone and steel. Not the sharp smell
"Repeat after me."Savannah's throat bobbed, before mischief flashed behind her eyes."Repeat after me."I felt Nero surge at her bratty comment. I exhaled, speaking slowly, each word deliberately chosen for weight."I, Savannah..."Her eyes stayed on mine. "I, Savannah...""Swear," I continued, "by
"I admire your stubbornness," I said quietly, "But Grim is never wrong."Savannah's eyes flicked back to the monitor as if it might confirm she had been hallucinating. She wasn't. The feed showed only trees and snow now, the path clear and empty again."Thank you, Grim. You can come home now." "On







