MARK BY A HALF BLOOD

e image of Aeron's glow

athe. That's how it felt. The walls seemed to pulse with a rhythm she coul

eme

threatening.

someone-was m

or Aunt Martina had strictly forbidden. Her heart told her the answers were up there

to her bed.

her creaked slightly, swaying even though the windows were shut. For a brief second, she

-

about walking into town again, but i

e rotting wall, his eyes tired but alert. She brought him bread, a b

here," he said quietly, b

re you," s

witched. A

brave,"

stup

be b

d up. "Why are they after you? You s

trol both the vampires and the werewolves. They don

. "But... you didn't

I exist, and th

away, ja

How do you comfort someone wh

et faded from his arms. His pain was more than physical-it was someth

ta Fe-it's a border. Between realms. Creatures pass t

end

. "You think you

. "What do you

ent. She keeps her face clean in public,

roat. It didn't surprise her-bu

re?" she asked. "Because you

eron whispered. "Or at

as just a cold, bitter woman forced to take her in. But now sh

ng outside made

ng as pain stabbed through

oo, heart po

w. But they'

a quiet place of secrecy, now felt

-

woods. Aeron limped behind her, but his sharp

air thickened, colder, as if the shadows had gr

A large black hound stood in the path ahead-its eyes red as b

a dog," sh

id grimly. "It

east

ehind him and transf

eathed. His muscles pulsed as his

y werewolf. No

at moment was something

slashing across its side. The hound howled, stumbling back into

red in the air. Cindy sto

s eyes still glowing. "

t already," s

stand. They'll c

" she snapped, su

a long moment. "You're

sharp blooming inside her.

-

ion with dried blood on her sweater an

something from a porcelain cup. H

ke forest," s

ed. "I went

t did yo

ees. A s

nd slowly approached. "Be careful, C

flinch. "Ne

e room felt like it could snap.

e you learned h

away again-leaving Cindy standing i

-

ght, Cindy dr

calling

urning acro

ke up, she

he felt something strange

hing