Blacktail Deer Plateau woke up on the wrong side

It lasted seconds but felt like an eternity, drool lolling onto and over the same punctures her brutish siblings had left. Her pulse roared; she wouldn’t die here, would she? led into unfamiliar woods by an unfamiliar canine, in one final test of strength that she was destined to—

And then he was off. Finley was on her paws almost too fast and forced them to stay put with an internal snap of will; she shook her head quickly as if willing away dust. Dust, yeah, that was all, no life-threatening panic in the slightest. Shockingly, Finley realized, Donovan had kept his word: it started a spar, and ended a spar.

But the surprise of that had nothing on what he said next: Donovan Azura of the Abbey, future leader of the Saints, was impressed. And, moreover, wanted her in his ranks—wanted! her! Finley wouldn’t have to cower for his training after all!

The adrenaline ebbing away, leaving her neck and legs sore but otherwise spotless, Finley scraped up what willpower remained to dip her head in respectful acknowledgment (as opposed to dropping at his paws, which was rather tempting if shameful). Now the tug of her lip was a real grin, toothless but no less authentic. “I’d be honored,” she said, almost breathless, “to join your Saints.”