I awaken to the gentle hum of Kael's breathing, still and calm after nights of unrest. My wrist aches—the mark still burns with the image of the visions I was granted, revealing the depth of Kael's betrayal by our very pack. Every night since leaving the Shadow Veil, the bond has breathed little pieces of Kael's past into my nightmares, knitting my resolve together with the reassurance of his innocence. But this morning, that fire in my body burns with new impatience. Today, everything is different.
I exit our flimsy tent, sweeping wet hair out of my face, and slide into supple leather boots laced high to protect my shins from thorns. Kael rolls at my movement. Moonlight passes through the canopy of the trees, broadening steadily to rose and gold as dawn's approach. He heaves himself up to sitting, wincing as he shifts weight off his hurt side.
"Lila," he gasps, the shadow of concerned doubt in his eyes. "What?"
