Blackfeather Woods Draw me not without reason; sheath me not without honour.

That was no evidence, and yet, it was sound enough for Maegi to latch onto. Venamis had grown up around Midar; for a boy not to trust someone who had been a fixture in his childhood was concerning. But it all was concerning, she noted, as he continued. It was true—no one had ever come for Venamis.

So you planned on dropping this on me and then running away? Maegi asked, a little acerbically. Or did you not plan on telling me at all—let me find out you're gone and then get jumped by Midar?

She let loose a frustrated snort, like a horse bothered by flies. She was greatly disturbed, partially in her failure to vet the man properly. Partially that she was about to lose another soul and there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it. She, too, couldn't look at the other wolf in this moment, instead staring off into the trees.

Was he lurking? Listening? Fuck, she breathed, gritting her teeth.