Aaron watched Isabella hold the stone to the wolf's eye until the wolf stopped pretending bravery.
Then he said, almost amused, “Enough.".
Isabella stepped back, slow.
The wolf shook himself hard, embarrassed, and slipped behind the circle.
Aaron's gaze weighed her without pity.
“You know what you did?".
“I stayed alive," Isabella said.
“You made a wolf think," Aaron said.
“That's harder." He gestured to the fire.
“Eat.".
Scar Mouth scowled.
“She hasn't passed a trial.".
“She has," Aaron said.
“She made you stop smiling.".
Small laughter went around the ring.
Scar Mouth rolled his eyes and sat.
Isabella lowered herself near the coals.
The heat felt like a hand that wasn't taking.
A woman passed her a tin bowl.
“Soup," the woman said.
“Don't thank me.".
“I wasn't planni
