CROWNED BY CLAWS

didn't

nd over in his mind. You we

e a cage too tight around his ribs. But now, that c

n the woods had recognized him. His mark was

somethi

ing da

dried meat, bread, and a waterskin. She had pr

she had said. "But you'll be safer

Hollow was afr

t he saw it in their eyes as he walked t

practically raised h

m aside before dawn,

ave, don't

had

g behind him, he felt that

as a

ho he truly was lay so

Wi

lessly before him, dark

ved quickly, his hood drawn low, his ears sharp for any signs of movement. The

ake the same

toward the western farmlands-too exposed. Instead, he veered off into the

body still ached from the night before, but there was something else t

his arm. The heat was still ther

m I be

ght unse

the trees ma

still, l

h

of mo

re something slammed into him from

dagger, but a boot pinned his wrist before he

oice drawle

t as he looked up into

wo

om a sharp-featured face. Her eyes-amber, al

k. The way a wolf sizes up prey before

you?" he

ead. "I was about to a

His sleeve had slipped just

ression

at his thr

shock, she

sly, watching as she

arms. "Didn't think

"What are you

ou really don't

hing himself to hi

step closer, he

is Aria,"

breath

stranger ha

he was mea

. "And if you really are

mirk

running ou