Daria’s POV

I hid myself as the council re-converged, and my heart seemed to be beating out of my chest. I was so afraid of being detected. Fear and doubt were heavy in the air in the pack square. Torches wrought their lengthening shadows, which wound and turned across the stone like the claws. Each shadow was like treachery.

The elders were seated again, more slowly. No one spoke at first. The warriors who were on guard were in an uncomfortable position, waving their weight as though it were not on solid ground any more.

Rylan broke the silence.

We cannot pass the notice of what is happening, he said,...