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My heart fluttered with unease as I followed Alaric and Reid down the winding road leading to the castle. Reid had a wolf tattoo on his back that matched Alaric’s. I wondered if every Mage had this tattoo, or if it was something they chose to get as brothers in arms.

As we drew closer to the castle, I craned my neck, my gaze traveling up and up to inspect the colossal towers looming over us. The thick stone looked impenetrable, and the outer wall surrounding the castle was solid concrete. Not to mention there were several huge guards stationed at the gate that led through the wall.

There was no way I could sneak out of this castle. Not without help.

I cut a quick glance at Alaric to my left. His gaze was stoic, his brows drawn together and his mouth tugged downward in a frown. I had to remind myself they had just found out their king was dead. If our roles were reversed, I would have suspected me, too.

Alaric claimed that if I was innocent, he would let me go. But would he really? If the chiefs cried for my execution, would he be swayed? Or would he keep his promise, despite how bloodthirsty his tribe might be?

Alaric’s golden eyes shifted to mine, and I realized I was openly staring at him. I quickly turned my gaze away before it could stray again, my heart rate quickening and my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Desperate for something to draw attention away from my gawking, I said shakily, “Um, why is it nighttime?”

“It is always night here in Kenibore,” Alaric replied. “The moon is where we draw power from.”

Interesting. “What about the nights when there is no moon?”

Alaric’s frown deepened, as if he didn’t want to answer my question. I half-expected him to snap at me. But, to my surprise, he replied, “We hold a reserve of power that we can access on occasions when the moon is not present. Otherwise we would be unable to travel to the fae lands at all.”

His tone was final, shutting the door on any more conversation. But I still had so many questions. Why did they need to travel to the fae lands? Why couldn’t they all just stay here? And why was it only the wolves who could go to the fae lands? What about the other shifters?

I took a steadying breath to try to slow the frantic thoughts in my mind, but it was like throwing pebbles at a runaway carriage. Nothing I could do would calm the chaos raging inside my head.

But perhaps it was better I was thinking of the Wolven Mages and how their magic worked. The alternative was to think of my own fate and how likely it would be that I would die soon.

Tight knots formed in my stomach as I fixed my gaze on the gate up ahead. The guards straightened at our approach, their golden eyes sweeping over Reid and Alaric with recognition. But when they saw me, they frowned. The guard in front, a burly fellow with curly blond hair, sniffed loudly, no doubt using his wolf senses to determine if I was friend or foe.

I held my breath, waiting. And then…

There it was. His eyes narrowed, and he bared his teeth. He and the three guards next to him all drew their daggers.

Alaric lifted a hand. “She is with me.”

They faltered, glancing between each other uncertainly.

“Her stay is temporary,” Reid offered. “And she is neutralized.”

The blond guard’s gaze flicked to the shadow cuffs on my wrist. I resisted the urge to tug at them, knowing it would do no good.

“She has information about a crime I am investigating,” Alaric elaborated. “She is under my protection until the truth is uncovered.”

I swallowed hard as I fixated on the word until.

I was under his protection—for now.

That would expire at some point.

The guard cleared his throat and sheathed his dagger. “Of course, Captain Navier.” He turned and called out, “Open the gate!”

Loud metal cranking filled the air, and the huge gate slowly opened before us. Alaric nodded his thanks and escorted us through the gate and toward the other side of the wall.

The small road continued to wind uphill leading toward the castle. We passed by narrow watchtowers, a squadron of soldiers in the midst of training in hand-to-hand combat, and a large stone building. Judging by the soldiers passing in and out of it, I assumed these were the barracks. Some wore full armor, while others were stark naked like Reid and Alaric. No one seemed bothered by the nudity, though. I watched as a naked male approached a crowd of soldiers, and they greeted him enthusiastically, some jovially clapping him on the shoulder.

To my surprise, many of the soldiers were female. Some wore full armor, just like the males, and many were nude as well. They seemed to handle heavy weaponry with ease. I watched as a petite female with thick braids swung a broadsword as if it were a twig. I wondered if her shifter abilities gave her additional strength.

Several soldiers eyed us in curiosity as we walked past. I watched the moment each Mage realized I was a witch. Their nostrils flared, and their eyes darkened with rage.

It was clear that witches were universally hated among the Mages.