The leader’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
It was the kind of expression predators wore when they’d already decided whether you were going to be prey — they just hadn’t decided if they’d enjoy the hunt.
The Rift wolves moved around them in a loose circle, not threatening exactly, but making sure there was no way to run without going back into the gorge’s darkness.
Her wolf’s hackles rose. They’ve killed in this place. Many times.
Riven’s hand stayed near his sword hilt, his body angled to shield her without making it obvious. Kaelen, in contrast, leaned casually against a slab of stone, his shadows curling lazily around his boots as though they were bored.
The leader finally spoke again. “Name.”
“Elinora,” she said.
He nodded to her, then to Riven. “And you?”
“Not relevant,” Riven s
