Ari's POV

It was the well-awakened longing of a bond, stinging and piercing, as though it were newly awakened to life after years of slumber. My heart sank like a sore ache, and a moment to live in terror, my illusion passed.

“Don’t,” I whispered to myself. “Not now.”

The market noise continued--barking of the dogs, people shouting, guards giving orders-- but on top of all that, I heard him standing in one place. Confused. Alert. Hunting.

I slipped around two traders who were haggling over dried meat and dodged through a crowd of ladies with their baskets. My heart was even loud enough that I did not know whether...