"You should go," I whispered to the wolf closest to me, hoping Joanna, Adam and the others wouldn't hear me. Christopher heard me though. I saw the look on his face. "I would hate to hurt you or your companions." I bowed slightly, as a sign of respect. The wolf eyed me as though considering my words. Then, he spoke. "You're surrounded. I think we'll be fine." Behind me, I heard Adam saying something to Joanna, but didn't pick up what he said. I had to keep my focus on the wolves. "Perhaps you underestimate us." "You don't seem surprised that I understand your language and can speak it," the wolf said. It looked like he was smiling."That should tell you that I'm not like the others in this group and neither is my blond companion. We cannot die." He shook his head and barked a signal, causing the other wolves to stop their advancement, including those fighting Arthur and Lance. "What are you then?" His voice was guttural, a cross between a growl and a howl. Oddly beautiful, I though

"Do you think it was wise to tell them that you knew Abernathy?" Christopher settled against his rolled up blanket. The wind whipped around us and a smattering of rain fell against the tent. "Probably not," I said, lying down beside him, allowing my thoughts to roam. He tilted his neck, allowing me access. I sank my teeth in. As I drank, for some reason I thought about the first time I took his blood. It felt like a lifetime ago. But while I drank, I'd seen his memories. This time was the same. They flooded my mind - Christopher was at school, walking the halls alone. A group of guys hollered after him. He walked faster, but they followed. The leader shoved him, sending him to the floor and his books everywhere. My heart broke as they took turns hitting and kicking him. It seemed everyone bullied him. The guys on the motorcycle were the reason he was shot and died. I knew he could fight, but he chose not to. That said something about him, didn't it?"Hey, why don't you go to cl

Still more than twenty feet away, Adam, Christopher, and Joanna climbed off their horses and tethered them to some nearby trees. Adam didn't look happy. I could guess the reason. Once again, I put his love into harm's way. It was a wonder he still had hair. "Don't go near it," Adam said to Joanna, speaking about the dragon. She sweetly pulled herself from his grasp. "Jasmine is near him and she's fine. The dragon seems to know her and like her." She touched Adam's worried face, caressing away the worry. "I'm going over to meet the incredible creature." Adam opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Abernathy, who watched them as I did, chuckled. "How has meeting your grandfather been?""Weird," I admitted, watching the three of them. Christopher stayed back, biding his time with the horses. "Adam looks like my grandfather, but doesn't act like him." "He's changed a lot since this time, that is true, but his heart is the same, still full of love. He's just found a w

Christopher sat next to me, our backs facing Abernathy, who had gone back to sleeping. They hadn't been able to kill a deer, or even find one, though Adam mentioned wolf and deer tracks. Adam and Joanna ate food from their packs. Chris and I didn't have any, and that was okay. It wasn't necessary. Abernathy had mentioned celebrating my birthday, but he snored softly as though he didn't remember that we had plans. I'd heard plenty of stories from my mom about him over the years. For the dragon, sleeping wasn't out of character. Celebrating with Adam, Joanna, Abernathy, and Chris would be nice, but I wouldn't mind if we didn't celebrate at all. Nothing could compare to what Troy did for me. Making the unicorn blood cake and proposing marriage. My heart sank for a moment at the thought of him. How I missed him. But then I remembered the vision Laeddin showed me. He let me see my future. And what a future it would be. Everything was going to be okay. I would beat Sharra. I would m

We let the wolves track Arthur until we came to a thick forest just outside the city of Vaucouleurs. It was nearly midnight. Millions of stars shone in the night sky. When we reached the forest edge, Crayith and the other wolves stopped. "He's in the village," Crayith said. "I can smell him." Christopher leaned forward. "I can hear him. Jasmine, we need to get in there." He stepped from the trees. "Agreed." I turned to Joanna. "Stay here. We'll be back." I paused. "Please. It isn't safe for you to come with us." She wanted to resist. I could see it on her face. Finally she nodded. "Are you sure? Adam and I can be of great help." Adam looked uncomfortable. "I feel partly responsible for bringing him out with us." "Don't worry about it. We'll handle the situation. Stay with Crayith." I looked at the lead wolf. "You'll make sure no harm comes to them?""You have my word." The wolf bowed. "Thank you." I followed after Christopher. He reached the edge of the village and was trying to