Page 51 of A Curse So Vile

“Time is a human construct.”

“Are you suggesting that wolves live outside the bounds of time?”

“In a way, yes. We see life as a cycle, while humans see it as finite. It’s why you chose to save that girl. Your human side demanded compassion.”

“Was it wrong of me?”

“No, but it shows that the longer the Denithians live in this world, the more you’ll intermingle with humans and see things as they would.”

“I suppose that in the end, with the weight of my curse, I’ve led my life more human than what was wise.”

“And yet the wolf in you is still stronger than any of your kin.”Icaries stepped beside her and looked towards the shadowy horizon.

“What is this place?” Brenna asked. “Is this the place of old? Where we came from?”

“I don’t know. You’re the one who brought me here.”

“Impossible…”

“You’re going to wake in a moment.”He took her hand and placed it on his heart.“Promise me you’ll remember my words.”

She furrowed her brow. “What words?”

“Come home…”

For a moment, Brenna was neither here nor there.

She was lost in eternity and everywhere all at once. She felt wind and ice and the kiss of the sun on her cheek.

And she knew it was forgotten knowledge, something sheshouldremember, but she didn’t know how.

An urgent knock on the door stirred her, but the scent of blood still hung in the air.

Was she still dreaming?

“Brenna!” Cole shouted.

Dread climbed through her like ivy. Something was wrong.

“Brenna! They have Fiona!”

Fiona?

She forced her eyes and took a deep breath.

How is this possible?

She wasn’t prone to hallucinations, and her dreams never followed her into the real world.

But the smell of blood was everywhere.

“Brenna! I’ll break the damn door down if I have to.”

She leapt out of bed and opened the door.

The smell was everywhere. Cole was covered in it.

“Did…did Fiona do this?”