Page 31 of Fallen Star

It’s almost like he’s giving me permission to leave, with a promise to keep my secret.

Thank you,I think, even though I know he can’t hear me.

Able to breathe again, I move as carefully as a shadow toward the exit, focusing hard on my magic as I slip through the frost-draped ivy.

The ivy doesn’t clang against itself, thanks to the air barrier between the leaves I’m creating, which forms protective cushions around each one of them to stop them from hitting each other.

Finally, I’m out.

Free.

The snow glitters under the pale sunlight, like the ground has been scattered with shards of crystal. Small blue and white blossoms peek out from it in clusters, their petals untouched bythe cold. Everything here feels untouched and pristine. As if no creature has dared to disturb the peace in ages.

But anything that looks remotely peaceful in this realm is a lie.

I, more than anyone, know it.

I grip the hilt of my dagger and move carefully across the clearing, scanning for signs of movement.

Tracks dot the snow—some small, and others large. Something passed through here recently. A rabbit, maybe. Or a deer.

I follow the tracks into the trees, and there it is.

An elk, separated from its herd, pawing at the snow to find grass beneath.

My stomach twists violently at the sight of it, hunger gnawing at me with an intensity I can’t ignore.

It doesn’t even know I’m here until it’s too late.

The kill is quick and clean.

Blood seeps into the snow as I tear into the meat, desperate to rid myself of the hunger. But while the meat is fine, it isn’t satisfying. Not like it used to be.

Not when I know what I really need.

And so, with shaking hands, I lower my mouth to the elk’s throat.

My new fangs extend, and I bite down.

The blood floods me with strength. The hollow ache in my bones disappears.

It’s incredible. Intoxicating.

I drink until there’s nothing left.

When I finish, I stare at the elk’s body, guilt churning in my stomach despite the satisfaction humming through my veins.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, and I get to work quickly, gathering leaves and snow with my magic to hide what I’ve done.

To bury the evidence of the monster I’ve become.

All that remains when I’m finished is a giant lump in the snow, like a car left outside during a blizzard.

Not wanting to look at it for a second longer, I snap back into my body, where it’s been this entire time in the cave.

Riven is still against the wall, his hand on his sword, his breathing steady. Zoey lies curled against Ghost, her face peaceful in sleep.

Ghost’s eyes don’t open.

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