32
"Put your hood up," Royal whispered.
"Good idea."
I scooped up the velvet cowl and pulled it down over my face to create a shadow deep enough to hide my healing skin and stubble covered head.
We were standing in front of the Circle's trees. They were grouped together thickly; their shiny grey leaves and silver trunks creating a veil between the Guard and us.
"How do I look?"
Royal adjusted my hood and nodded.
"Good."
"Let’s do this." I turned to the trees. "Are you going to let us in or what?"
"Classy," Royal grumbled.
But his disapproving sound was soon drowned out by a great aching moan as the trees in front of us began to bend. The sound was underpinned with the noise of the leaves rattling against each other as their silver trunks strained against themselves. Soon a
