The next morning, Lyria couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. She tried to convince herself that it was just the King’s guard, but that Warrior stood on the opposite side of the theatre, a room so large he looked half her size from the stage where she stood. And she had felt the same when she was in her room, alone, all morning. It had been a relief when Navaill had come to her quarters to retrieve her and bring her to the contest.
She didn’t fail to notice that Bennah sat all alone, still, and Niahem was nowhere to be found.
“Contestants,” said Caldien with a loud clap, causing half the wolves to jump with surprise. He looked tired, with dark rings around his eyes, which were tinged with red. “Let me explain the rules.” From the muttering, Lyria knew she wasn’t
