I couldn’t peel my eyes away from Violet’s grave as Samyak spoke. Everything felt hyper-realistic: the rustling trees, the stark white of the sky, the feel of his hot hands wrapped up in mine. “You really tried?” I breathed. His behaviour had led me to this conclusion before, but hearing him admit to it, out loud, made my throat close up and my blood run cold. “Yes. I – I’m ashamed of it now. But at the time it felt… logical. Like it was my only choice, my only option. I’d always been her responsible big brother. I looked after her, always. This was just my way – the only way I could see – of continuing to do that. It was my fault that she had… died,” he said, stumbling over the word. “It was my job, my responsibility, to bring her back again.” I nodded, my heart numb in my chest. I could just barely feel it beating, just barely f

I awoke in the early hours of the morning. The twilight of the evening had passed, the world rolling through to a hazy dawn while I’d slept. My neck ached from its crooked angle, pressed against the wood of the window seat and tilted downwards. I’d slumped forwards, but the small, purple book was still balanced on my lap. I looked around, blinking through the stupor that came from falling asleep unintentionally. The lantern was still flickering, but the burning light of the morning sun outside was brighter. It spilled into the library, brushing against the spines of the old books and dancing across the trailing green leaves of the houseplants. I wrenched my curled body out of the window seat, and carefully tucked the book into my tote bag. My forehead felt sweaty, and I dabbed at it with the hem of my sleeve. I felt disorientated, as though my dream world had not quite left my mind. It was unsettling, but I s

“Blood?” Samyak frowned, a crinkle appearing between his eyebrows. “How will blood help us?” “It’s all in here,” I said, gesturing to the small, purple book.  Luna Carla’s eyes widened, and she cocked her head to one side. We were upstairs in the pack house; all of the highest ranking wolves from both the Lapis Moon and Silver Crescent packs were in attendance, cramped together in the seating area by Alpha Felix and Luna Carla’s offices. The last vestiges of the sun’s rays were slanting through the windows, burnished gold warming our faces and brushing highlights into our hair. Speckles of dust span through the light, floating upwards and spinning slowly as they rose. “What’s this old book going to tell us?” Ryna asked, sliding one hand onto her hip. Her slim, blonde eyebrows raised slightly, and I sighed. &ld

I felt my face pale. I clung to Samyak, my hands scrabbling at him like the terrified claws of a prey animal. The moon’s light glittered in my eyes, spinning slowly like a distorted, monocolour kaleidoscope.  “Arienne?” Samyak asked, his voice whipping like static against my ears. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Black spots pulsed through my vision, but I shook myself, determined to find out more. Gedeon? What time tomorrow? I sent back, my mind scrambling to find his. But no reply came, and I felt myself falling. Before I hit the bottom, however, I yanked myself back up to the surface. The tidal wave was coming, but we had time. We were prepared, and we could be ready. We would be ready. I pulled back, and my gaze met Samyak’s. He looked soft, his lips plump and his eyes tender. They furrowed in confusion when he saw my own exp

Alpha Brius was shadowed on either side by his family. His hair, red as blazing fire, stood out even in the darkness. The glow of the sun shone on it, blood dousing flame, and it rippled like water as he stepped forward beside his mate. I could just make out Luna Lucille’s classical features in the dim morning light, though her hair, darker than Brius’s, was obscured. “We said we would stand beside you,” he called. “No matter the task. You saved our son, and the White Elm pack is in your debt, Lapis Moon. We have come to fight at your side.” Luna Carla beamed, and walked down the slope to greet them, Alpha Felix at her side. “You came,” she breathed. “We did, Luna,” said Alpha Brius, bowing his head to her. It was a gesture of respect, and one that was not necessary under such circumstances. “You called, so we came.” I beamed dow