*Lyra*
The Running River castle looms ahead, slate stone against the black sky, lights glowing through the windows from the celebration inside. Nearly fifty wolves crouch with me at the edge of the treeline, silver coats shining in the night.
Serena has already shifted to human form. She moves silently toward the servants’ entrance. A handful of our allies follow her, carrying satchels of dried wolfsbane leaves. The scent of the toxins drifts faintly in the air, promising the smoke that will soon render everyone inside unconscious.
Serena and her team move silently back out into the courtyard to wait until the bane takes effect. Moments later, I move forward, leading the warriors along the perimeter. The first tendrils of smoke curl from the servants’ entrance, pale against the warm ni
