Shadewood We are in the war.

When Riley stepped out of the den and stretched in the sunlight, Masquerade groaned. She’d always wanted him, yet not like this. Her entire body flushed with desire, from the tips of her ears to the tip of her overlong tail. Her expression darkened as even dirtier images flirted through her mind.

Her golden eyes blinked almost owlishly when he joked about fishing. Masque opened her mouth to make some ribald joke when his words suddenly stoked her memory. In all the fuss upon her return, she’d almost forgotten all about her discovery.

I found a rock wall out west, she told him, leaning against his preferred shoulder, and there was this waterfall. Riley, it was so beautiful… and secluded. A perfect little getaway spot, if not for the murderous bitch who’d nearly ruined it all.

But she was dead now, Masque reminded herself with a slight pit in her stomach. She wouldn’t be able to venture out of Shadewood safely anytime soon, though she refused to let the memory of that random attack spoil this treasure.