chapter 20

My foot was healed by the time we started for Alec’s camp. I tried to swallow back the excitement bubbling inside me. I’d healed from the injuries sustained before and during the cave, but I’d shifted. Until this moment, I wasn’t sure I’d retained the magic. I didn’t want to allow myself to believe that I could shift on my own, but maybe it was possible.

Sheila, Malcom, and Alec each had a backpack on their backs. Their sleeping bags were rolled and attached to the bottom of the pack. I got the sense they did this often.

“So you three were on patrol?” I asked.

“We had some reports of talismans in the woods,” Sheila said.

“She doesn’t need to know,” Alec said.

“Witches?” I asked.

“Not your business,” Alec said.

“I would rather know what I’m getting into. Besides, who am I going to tell? You made it clear that trying to get through the woods to civilization on my own is a death sentence,” I reminded him.

“Ignore him, he’s just pissed we didn’t find anything,” Sheila said.

“Another wild-