Page 21 of Mate Night Snack
A jagged triangle inside a circle, marked through the center with three sharp lines.
His throat dried.
Maeve moved in beside him. “That’s not new magic.”
“No,” Emmett said quietly. “It’s a warning.”
“You recognize it.”
He nodded, slow and stiff.
“It’shis, isn’t it?”
Emmett didn’t answer right away.
The world around them seemed to still, the trees waiting, breath held.
Ten years ago, that same mark had been carved into the heartwood of every tree surrounding their old camp. Ashwin had branded everything they touched. Claimed land, people, fear. Said it was the only way to keep order.
They were just wolves, once. Then they becameweapons.
Emmett remembered the day he walked away.
The boy they’d cornered had been maybe sixteen. Half-starved. Covered in old bruises. Ashwin said he was a threat. Said weakness was contagious.
Emmett had looked at the boy and seen his younger brother’s face.
So he let him go.
And for that—for mercy—he was marked traitor and driven out.
Ashwin never forgave disobedience.
Maeve placed a hand on his shoulder, fingers firm.
“She’s stirring up more than just that seer blood.”
Emmett didn’t look at her.
Maeve’s tone dropped. “You think Ashwin can feel it? Her digging?”
He finally nodded. “He always did have a nose for leverage.”
Maeve’s lips pressed into a tight line. “She’s chasing a cold case no one in this town has spoken about in thirty years. And nowthisshows up?” She gestured to the rune with a flick of her wrist. “That’s not just coincidence. That’s bait. And it’s working.”
“No,” Emmett said, eyes still fixed on the carving. “It’s a warning.”
Maeve exhaled, low and annoyed. “I’ll get word to Varric. He’ll want the ward checked. Maybe even resealed.”
He gave a small nod but didn’t move.
Maeve hesitated beside him, then added, “You get too close, you’re gonna lose your edge.”
“She’s not safe,” he said quietly.
“That’s not what I meant.”
He didn’t reply.
