RECENT ATTACK

“Thanks,” King said, lifting his paper cup.

Emilia glanced at him and nodded, then turned to look out the window. King wanted to speak with her, but he knew it was a futile attempt. He sipped quietly out of the cup, adding to the awkward silence in the car, before Everett wisely turned up the volume of the radio.

The car pulled off the road a quarter of an hour later. Emilia looked around and rubbed her hands together. “This is the place?”

“The most recent incident happened not very far from here. There have been multiple incidents scattered through the forest, but there were a few incidents in this area. It’s quite a hike, though. Think you can keep up?”

“I’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

King grabbed his backpack and led Emilia down a game trail that led into the woods. The terrain was sloped, and he was worried for Emilia. She managed herself expertly, and he remembered belatedly that she had grown up among wolves.

“Can we talk about last night?” King asked, glancing over his shoulder.

“No,