THE HEALER'S CURSE

ick that night. I gazed into the shadowy woods that surrounded my new exi

was a

f blood lingered in the atmosphere, almost obliterated by the piney, wet wind. As memories

e afraid. There was danger out ther

ing from the woods. I paused, listening with my breath held. Once again,

lv

f that I was secure among others and that they had forgotten about me.

d up the knife I kept by the entrance. With each step becoming quieter th

eran's rejection, I hadn't changed. In order to shift, I had to embrace th

not have an option as I got close

the darkness. I staggered back, stabbing the knife violently. The wolf yelle

n't is

at chilled my bones. Rogues. Untethered, chaotic, and completely lacking the

grasp on the knife. I couldn't repe

air. I just escaped before being knocked to the ground by the ferocity

ached w

it oc

sheer strength of the metamorphosis caused my muscles to stretch and

my eyes. Despite the overpowering smell of blood

ttered hot across my clothing as my claws tore through its fur. The other

dair and slammed it to the ground as I whirled. It moa

battle was

My chest began to flame with panic. I was

fragrance broke through the confusion. Like e

ci

ws like a predator pursuing its prey. His eyes were glowing so inte

rumbling snarl and ch

eeth around the neck of one renegade. I did the same, cutting through another with my claw

to pause for a time. We had a raw, electrifying, and terrifyingly

happening. I threw myself between them without thinking. The rogu

Lucian yelled and tore the rogue off me. With a horrib

ic breathing was the o

ity that befitted years of training. His body was smeared with blood and gli

stated in a harsh

nees as my side ache intensified. "I'll be

ands firm and warm as they examined t

ne rush, but I managed a feeble

dibly gentle move with his thumb, grazing my face

care of myself," but my

ked at my lips before returning

etween us crackled. His fingers traced the

," but as he drew in clos

could see the power and fire in your eyes. You're not simply a

the weight of his stare imp

gave m

if he had been suppressing his emotions for too long. His lips found

nd the rogues. His ability to make me feel al

f a howl in the dist

rew back, his face hardening. "They

gut from fear, I

s were rea

until one of us w