The moon was low over the forest, giving a pale light that made every leaf, stone, and wisp of mist shine silver. The air felt colder now, as if the night had come closer to listen. Seraphina’s boots sank quietly into the wet ground as she walked, the wind bringing the soft sound of branches and the distant howl of a lone wolf. But she kept her eyes on the figure ahead.
They stood at the edge of the trees, motionless, a silhouette wrapped in shadow. She couldn’t make out their features, but there was something in the stillness that prickled the back of her neck. It wasn’t the stillness of a predator about to pounce, but it wasn’t harmless, either.
Her wolf shifted restlessly inside her. We should be ready to fight.
Or ready to run, Seraphina thought back, her pulse quickening.
The figu
