Page 151 of The Serpent’s Shadow

Chapter 43

Ravinica

I DID NOT HAVE TO WAITlong to find Magnus after Arne and I were freed. He found me.

I was in the cafeteria, hiding from the gale winds outside, telling my tale to Sven and Grim, with Arne also present. The shifters were gazing at me with bloodlust in their eyes, and a bit of normal lust, too.

Once I had caught them up on things, and told them about my rendezvous with Corym E’tar, they chastised me for going there in the first place, though not for the reason I expected.

“You should have taken us, little sneak,” Grim said, shaking his head. “We could have kept you safe.”

“People would have died if you were there, big guy.”

“Exactly,” Sven added. “And you would have been safe, foolish girl.”

I rolled my eyes. “This wasn’t about you. I needed to see Corymalone.”

Sven flapped a hand at Arne. “Clearly you didn’t, or you wouldn’t have taken the dandy.”

Arne snapped back, “Fuck you, dog boy. You’re just pissed you weren’t invited to partake in—”

“Of course I am!”

“Silvermoon!”

The name made my heart jolt to my throat, even as Arne and Sven continued their back-and-forth banter. My head whippedover to the door of the cafeteria, where Magnus Feldraug strode in, trench coat in full swishing form.

I smiled wide, heart leaping at the sight of the bloodrender. Jumping up from the table, I yelled, “Magnus!”

My smile faltered when I noticed the pale tint to his cheeks, the fear on his face.

This was a man whonevergot flustered, so it was alarming, especially after not seeing him for days at a time.

He stood over the table, and I worriedly said, “What’s wrong?”

Magnus’ gray eyes fell on the three men around me, all staring up at him expectantly. To me, he said, “Can I speak with you alone for a minute?”

“Hell no,” Sven spat, beginning to stand. “Where she goes, we—”

“Of course you can,” I interrupted, shooting a scowl at the wolf shifter, making him sit with a deep frown.

When Magnus pulled me away from the group, taking us outside into the chilly afternoon, he spoke without preamble—no kiss, no hello, no how-have-you-been?

“I think I’ve discovered something important.”

We stood around the side of the longhouse, suspicious as ever. I glanced over both shoulders to make sure no one had followed us, and leaned in. “Is it about the rebellion?”

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