VOWS TO THE DEVIL

ack Hollow was a blur

is blood soaked through her fingers. His breathing was shallow, each exhale a

r," she urged. "The h

s fluttere

. Save your

I don't

racked. "You promised. You said

akly. "I did

'm holding

power, feeding her strength, healing her own wounds. But it

the wolf growled. I

we get him back to the castle.

f we

he world until

*

is mount and climbed up behind him, her arms wrapped

e whispered. "Plea

. His grip was weak

," he b

ins. The plains gave way to the dark spires of Black Hollow.

's injured-get

out. She helped lower Kael from the hors

ave me," she said.

ried hi

worked throu

king, her mind racing. The wolf was restless,

he silver magic is eat

o be somethi

re

ped pacin

r. It can heal anything-even sil

me w

ou'll become the Devil Wolf completely. There will

-the power pulsing in her chest, waitin

olf said. Him

dn't h

o

red the

up, startled. "My l

Lyra sa

y f

is chest barely rising and falling. The wound o

'm going to save you. But you

His eyes were close

ome back to me. Prom

le

herself. She found the Heart-the fragment

Her body burned. Her skin blazed. She felt herself ch

her hand to

f's power was stronger. It burned through the poison, seari

s flew open. His bod

yr

's almos

lved. Kael's wound closed. His col

colla

in Kael

her body cradled against his chest. His hand stro

ce was rough. "

er eyes. "Yo

issed her forehea

r body refused. Every muscl

appened

almost consumed you. You were changing. Your eyes were amb

uman. But she could feel the wolf ben

power," she said. "I was

you

lf said I would become the Devil Wolf

ned. "Then we don

somethin

ip on her tightened. "I won't let it

believe him.

f was growi

t know if she

*

ing, Lyra rec

Silverfang-a silver moon on a fi

open with tre

rest d

Moon Temple. Of your sister's betrayal. Of y

should have told you long ago. Secrets about your mother

g. Alone. I will

fat

dric As

r three times. Her

Wolf. Her father, who had never shown her

f growled. He's work

. "Or maybe he's final

m. He sold you. He

I have to go. If there's even a chanc

don't

She crossed

-

rals. He looked up when she entered. His eyes immedia

t is

ed him th

His expressi

not goin

hoping you'd

softened.

ael, if something happ

ere to brin

getting stronger. I can feel it. E

s arms. His lips presse

it out together.

his chest. The wolf st

red. Ours to prot

yra believed everyt

*

r Silverfang

he roads. She knew the forests. She knew the p

ing far from his sword. His eyes scanned t

e to be so ten

here out of love. He called you here for

"But I need answers. About my mothe

en we get your answers. And then we burn

ou really are t

for

ew familiar. The silver leaves of

n the distance,

wl

*

the Silverfang

elcoming. The servants who opened the gates didn't meet h

hbourne waited

hair was thin, his face lined with worry. When he saw her,

id. "Thank yo

e said flatly. "You said yo

"Sit down, plea

ing. His hand res

"There are things I should have told you years ago. About yo

t tr

heavily. His han

"She was from somewhere else. Somewhere secret

cold. "What are

." Aldric's eyes met hers. "She was sent to watch you. To guard the Heart

She died when

seal the Heart inside you. She knew what you would become. Sh

t ch

rd. "I was a coward. I let her die. I let you suffer. I let them convince

n blurred. "

her. His eyes w

lessed. You're the only one who can stop the Goddess.

The wolf stirred in

aid. He's still

said. "My mother. I need t

d slowly. "I

mind raced. Her mother. A priestess. A se

down, she kn

*

e forest, hidden am

ith her mother's name carved into it. Lyra knelt

she whispered. "Te

lf ans

. In

her senses. She felt the old magic pulsin

ther's

stone cracked. A compar

here was

as cracked. The pages were yellowed. But the writing w

rest d

, then I am gone. And

I had to leave. But I want you to know the truth

him. And he rejected her. She has been huntin

wer to either free him or destroy hi

ve you. I always h

ok. The truth bu

't want to destr

d to brin

s power w

stood at the edge of the

I can e

. You knew all of this. And you let me believe I was

ing to pro

d, but there was no humor in it. "That was the only good thin

umpled. "I'm sor

at him. The

etic. He was never our e

elp me destroy the Goddess. Or stay out

wly. "I'll help.

y from the grave,

you o

I don't know. I don't

" He squeezed her han

mall smile. "Th

the forest, the w

id. She knows you have the H

moon was full. Silver light

a c

she said. "We f

the darkness, the