The arrow had been meant for Lucian.
Evelyn knew from the angle before the shaft stopped trembling in the tree behind him.
Powdered snow drifted down and glittered against his dark coat.
Pine resin sharpened the frozen air where the arrow had stripped the bark. Beneath it lingered the mineral scent of freshly split stone.
“Down.”
Lucian’s eyes flashed gold.
Claws pushed through his gloves as he turned toward the trees.
“I saw movement.”
“You saw what the archer wanted you to see. Stay where you are.”
His shoulders broadened under the coat, the start of a partial shift.
“Someone tried to kill me.”
“And missed. Don’t help them correct it.”
Marcus drew his sword and moved to Evelyn’s left without crossing her line of sight.
Albert pulled the guards into a defensive half circle.
