Elena
A howl echoes through the forest. Alexander's howl. He has found us again.
Ray's jaw tightens. His hand is on his sword. "We need to go. Now."
"Where? The cave is the only shelter."
"There is a cottage. An hour north. My father built it. Alexander does not know about it."
We run. The forest blurs. The silver trees glow. My feet are bare, cold, but I do not stop.
Behind us, the howl comes again. Closer.
We reach the cottage. It is small, made of stone. Moss covers the roof. Smoke rises from the chimney.
Ray opens the door. We go inside.
The cottage is warm. A fire crackles. Paisley is there. She sits on a wooden chair, her white dress torn, her face bruised. Eutis kneels beside her, tending her wounds.
"Paisley!" I run to her. "What happened?"
"Alexander," she whispers. "He
