Avalon slowed.You know about the Crows?
I haven’t forgotten everything.I remember plenty, just not what’s important.
Avalon mulled that over as she continued walking. It was true that she was afraid of Crows, but a part of her wondered what other foul things lurked in these parts.
A few minutes later, Sable said,I don’t think we need to worry too much about Crows in this realm. If I’m not mistaken, they prefer climates as cold as they can get.
You’re not mistaken,Avalon confirmed.I’m just a big old milksop.
A twig snapped.
Stop,Sable hissed.
They froze.
Avalon’s teeth chattered as the wind picked up. High above, branches creaked.You’d better not be trying to frighten me, Sable.
Silence. And then,Put the mask on.
She did. The sucking sensation as the metal sealed with her skin was enough to make her nauseous, but she took comfort in knowing Sable was now fully with her. If her limbs refused to work for her, perhaps they would obey Sable’s command.
More twigs snapped underfoot. Avalon’s heart was beating faster than ever before, pounding out a painful, irregular rhythm in her chest.
More twigs snapped. Shrubs rustled.
Avalon—Sable, neither of them was sure who—reached for the dagger in her weapon’s belt. The hilt was like ice in her palm as she slid the blade out of its sheath.
There was a grunt. A shadow emerged from between the trees.
Avalon’s fingers tightened around the blade as she lunged, aimed for the throat—
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” bellowed a male voice.
She froze.“Hadrian?”Neither Avalon nor Sable was certain who snarled his name. Sable’s sigh was nearly a growl as she retreated into the mask. “I could have killed you!”
“You’re damn right you could have!” Hadrian barked, his temper taking the place of his surprise. He reached for the mask. “Take that stupid thing off.”
Sable’s panicked voice filled Avalon’s head.Avalon—
But Hadrian tore the mask off her face and tossed it to the ground before she could react, leaving her alone with nothing but her own thoughts.
And Hadrian’s wrath.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he thundered. “Since when have you ever left me like that, Avalon? Do you have any idea how I felt when I woke up and found that you weregone?”
Despite that his tone was laced with fury, hurt shone in his eyes. She’dlefthim. The guilt nearly knocked the wind out of her.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, immediately disgusted by the lack of emotion in her voice.
“You’resorry?”he spat.“Avalon, this isn’t like you. The Avalon I know wouldn’t have left me in the middle of the night to go staggering alone through the woods.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, a little louder, though she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
Hadrian crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “What were you doing?”
“I was…,” She struggled for words. “I want to help Sable.”
“You want to help Sable,” he echoed. “And just how do you plan on helping her?”
