Page 81 of Season of the Wolf

“It’s strange how your world has evolved,” she went on, her gaze landing on me as I ate. “Just months ago, we were all so sure Nicholas was the devil incarnate,” she chuckled. “And now, it seems we were wrong.”

And this was why I fought so hard to save him, fought so hard to keep the Council from killing him. While no, I didn’t foresee any of this, his redemption, he’s definitely proven himself to be worthy of the title friend.

“It would still be wise for us to keep a watchful eye on him,” she went on.

I didn’t disagree.

“When he followed you the night of the flood, did he mention the sound again?”

I paused mid-chew when she asked, hating that she brought it to my remembrance. I liked to think things with Nick and I were improving, but this small detail—the maddening sound he described hearing whenever we were close—was a loud, clear sign that it was all an illusion.

“I only noticed it affecting him during combat training, but I think there was too much going on when we were in town, trying to get back to safety,” I answered.

Hilda was silent, pursing her lips together while she thought.

“Do you think it means something?”

At the sound of my question, her eyes came back to mine. And then a smile, one I wasn’t sure how genuine it was. It could have easily been to convey a sense of calm that didn’t really exist within her.

“I have a theory, but, like all things, it will surely reveal itself in time.” After speaking, she scanned me curiously, but then said nothing more of it before changing the subject.

“Don’t be angry with Liam.” When she mentioned him again, I peered up to find her gazing thoughtfully toward the window.

“Despite what you may think, he did this stupid,stupidthing … because he loves you.” It was clear she hated his decision, but it was equally clear she respected it.

She didn’t show it often, but she had a soft side. Especially when it came to us. Her family.

“He told me,” I replied, clarifying. “In a letter.”

Her head tilted with intrigue. “Oh?”

“He wanted to make sure I understood.”

She nodded. “And do you?”

I gave the question some thought, taking a sip from the glass she brought with dinner.

“Not at first, but I get it now,” was my answer. “I only hope he doesn’t regret it.” I stared at my bowl for a long time, praying that wouldn’t be the case.

“Regret it?” she asked. “Because of his state when you left him today?”

I nodded once to confirm. “He wasn’t himself.” It wasn’t just the outward, physical changes. Even the depth of his voice shook me.

“He knew there was a chance things wouldn’t go according to his exact plan,” she shared. “He convinced himself this process would be no different than when Elise performed the ritual centuries ago, but what we couldn’t seem to get him to consider was that, back then, she awakenedhumanchildren. Not children who already possessed traces of dragon DNA in them. Not humans who were already powerful supernatural shifters. We can’t be sure those traits, although they’ve been dormant within him, aren’t the cause of these changes.”

My brow knitted together with fresh concern.

“I’ve never witnessed the act myself, but from my understanding, regeneration should have taken hours,” she explained. “The healing process, based on Elise’s recollection, was quite grueling, lasting the better part of the night for the children ofArs-en-Ré… but that clearly wasn’t the case for Liam. His transition was almost … immediate.”

I hadn’t done a ton of worrying today because he was alive and well when I left. I’d only been anxious.

Until now.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?”

“I can’t answer that,” Hilda replied. “But what I can say for sure is that he’s better off as he is now than he was as a human.”

“Because he’s not vulnerable anymore?”

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