Blacktail Deer Plateau simmer

Rib bones showed through the boy’s thin coat of fur. His features were gaunt, with protruding cheekbones and deep-set eyes. The length of his legs appeared more pronounced, giving him a spindly and wicked appearance as he trotted beside the girl.

Antigone had found that the longer he was away from Epoch, from Reyson and Meadow, the better he felt about his decision. The only regret that he carried with him was the glimmer of sadness that had pooled in his mother’s eyes. She would have delivered her pups, he thought. The boy could only hope that everything had gone well, that Tamar was given a new son who would never disappoint her.

Sorcha’s voice pulled Antigone’s ears, swiveling toward her. His navy eyes lifted to her face. Shadows had formed around the blue of his gaze – deep set and haunting.

I’m okay, Sorcha. The words sounded like a mournful ghost’s.

Are you hungry?

Antigone felt the rumbling demand from within his belly.