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T he spear was buried deep in his gut.

A blonde woman bent over him. Her eyes were a pure, pale blue, like the summer sky when it stretched over the valley, so bright and clear it almost hurt to look at it.

But there was nothing beautiful about her eyes. They were cold and cunning and when she smiled, her lips peeling back in a baring of teeth, wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d showed fang.

They were simply normal human teeth, though.

Her scent, a little witchy, but nothing that spoke of a shifter, hadn’t given her away as he chased after the trail left by those who’d taken Nene. She reached up and brushed a long, loose curl back from his brow. He’d been tracking Nene for almost six weeks and the trail was growing cold. His hair had grown out and his face was covered with a thick growth of beard. He wondered if he’d even recognize himself.

“The boy king,” she said in lightly accented English.

Chang had insisted he learn the tongue. Our world is changing. You must change with it. The more languages you speak, the more power you will have as you move through the world, because it will give you knowledge of those around you. And knowledge is power .

He thought about pretending ignorance but she simply waited, one golden brow arched.

“Where is Nene, hag?” he finally said, not struggling against the net of silver wires that held him captive.

She cocked her head to the side, lips pursing.

“The woman. Where is she ?”

A slow smile spread across her face and she rose, nudging him with her foot. “You will find out soon enough.”