THE GIRL WITH THE WOLF MARK

night. The cobblestones, usually dull and worn, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly luminescence. The townspeople had gathered in a p

white dress. He hadn't spoken a word to her since she'd descended from the attic hadn't even looked directly at her. Now, as

his reedy voice carrying across the hushed gathering. "The Council accepts thi

thout significant compensation to the Council. Fidira wondered briefly what her father h

ng?" Elder Thorne continued, though the question was me

, acutely aware of hundreds of eyes upon her some curious, others relieved, a few even pitied. Melissa and Maxwell wat

e offering stands." He gestured to four men ho

nd seeming to continue far beyond what should have been possible. Once... twice... three tim

eathing. Fidira remained in the center, her white hair and dress making her appear like a ghost in the torchligh

c transformation. One moment the northern entrance to the square was empty, and the next, three f

st. Her movements were too fluid to be human, her amber eyes scanning the crowd with predatory assessment. Behind her stood

found Fidira immediately, widening slightly in what appeared to be surprise. For a heartbeat, the woman

d in, inhaling deeply near Fidira's neck, causing several townspeople to look away in di

ra, her voice carrying an accent none in the to

had been accepted, that the ritual could be completed for another seven years. Only

time, the last o