it's burning through the bloodline

Something in Mordecai's words did not rest well with her. Her mouth drew taut, but her mind was still making sense of his intonation when he moved forward and closed the space between them. She let him nudge her, and despite her lingering concern, an airy laugh escaped her mouth, half to release her remaining nerves, and half because it felt better than the fears tying her down. "Your evidence is hard to refute." The ghost of her usual grin returned, but unease still shadowed her face. His reassurance was lacking, though in his defence she had yet to tell him of the fire that had killed her parents. If the flames could take them down, then Mordecai was just as vulnerable.

Her gaze jumped to the horizon, searching again for where the forest began, and when she found the spot, observing where the green turned a darker shade. She could just make out the charcoaled shock, but she tore her eyes from the trees and returned her attention to Mordecai. The fire was gone, and part of the forest, but trees mattered little to her. They would regrow with the seasons, but wolves were a different matter. "You made it sound like not everyone made it." Her face grew solemn, and the flicker of a smile dropped from her lips. "How many did you lose? Did Harlyn escape with you?"