Page 151 of Vasmora

“I’m sorry.” I gently pet the tiny pup, his eyes so innocent and sweet, it tore at my heart.

Verena swallowed a gulp and looked away, as if trying to hide tears. “Had I not turned mancer, I would have taken her mate and cared for the pups as my own.”

Unless I was mistaken, it sounded as if she longed to turn back. “Forgive my ignorance, but will you never turn back to wolf?”

She raised her arm, showing where the distinct markings of teeth had scarred her skin. “Fennyx tried. I cannot turn.”

I exhaled a sigh. “I see. It was terrible what happened to your sister.” Images of that night sprang to mind, and I clenched my teeth, the anger stirring anew. “That sadistic bastard didn’t die painfully enough.” Even I was surprised by the hostility in my tone. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s true. Had he not stabbed me, I’d have ripped out his gullet.” She stared off and tore away another bite of her bread as if she were imagining such a thing right then. Blinking seemed to break her from her trance. “You’re mortal but you wield magic.”

I swallowed back the bite of bread I’d taken and nodded. “It’s complicated. But yes, I’m from Mortasia.”

“I’ve always thought everything derived from the mortal lands was weak. Yet, I’ve never known something to be so potent against the wolves.” Her brows tightened as she ran her finger across her arm. “I don’t like this skin.”

Rho sniffed where she’d rubbed her finger and licked the spot.

“Well, he doesn’t seem to mind it,” I said, tossing the pup another small piece of bread.

A sad smile pulled at her lips and she scratched his head. “He’s drawn to you.”

“I can’t imagine why. I don’t have much experience with canines.”

“Pups sense goodness.” She bit away another chunk of her bread. “So, anything you need, ask me,” she garbled around a mouthful of food.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Come, Rho.” She pushed to her feet and whistled, but the pup remained where he sat. “Rho, come.”

He let out a whine and trotted after her.

Zevander took her spot beside me, passing me a tin cup filled with water he’d gathered from somewhere. “Everything all right?” he asked, staring after her.

“Yes, she offered me bread.” I tore off a piece, handing it to him, but he raised his palm to decline.

“Eat. You need the energy.”

“And what will you eat? Air?”

A smile pulled at his lips, dimpling his cheek. “I ate before we set out. If I get hungry, I’ve got some vivicantem to hold me over for a bit.”

“How long is a bit? I have a strange feeling we’ve been here before. Starving and nearly out of vivicantem.” My voice held a note of amusement.

“I suppose we have.” He sighed, staring out over the clearing, the edges of which had merged into darkness. “I should do a perimeter check.”

“Again?” I asked. “Aren’t the wolves prowling now?”

“I like to do my own.”

I trailed my gaze over the group, watching everyone settle in for the night. The familiar branching cold burrowed in my chest. Soon, everyone would be sleeping. Sleep brought nightmares. Nightmares brought Loyce.

“If you twist that bread any more, it’ll be a pile of dust.” Zevander’s words broke my stare, and I looked down to see a smattering of tiny crumbs across my trousers, the bread mangled in my hands.

I breathed a laugh.

“Are you nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous? Sleeping is natural. Necessary.”