Blackfeather Woods blind to this impending fate

The Green, Maegi repeated in a murmur, when Parvati had cut herself off. Her eyes flashed shrewdly toward the woman; she seemed much too intelligent for this backwards society where men ruled supreme. The Melonii was glad Parvati had been able to escape it. Thank you, she said, giving the other wolf a nod.

She would never offer a prayer to this wadj-wer, not when it was clear that the wolves who favored them were so cruel to women. But she respected that Parvati had been so willing to share with Maegi her customs—and she would do her best to return the favor.

The Dark Brotherhood was the name of the secret society my family was part of, she continued. Most of them, anyway. She gave a twisted moue of distaste. You only have to hear the name to know why I was never happy within their ranks. Dark Sister, they may have called me, but I never felt comfortable, as a woman. My ways are different.

Maegi shrugged. Man, woman; it doesn't matter, she mused. We're all going to die, eventually. No one escapes it. And I hope Peryite will spare me when my time comes, as I have been so faithful. I may rot, but I will rot in glory.