Wolves were very fast.

And they had a good sense of hearing.

Hazel did not get within ten feet of Dallan before the door burst open and men came running in. She recognized some of the guards.

Kai was among them.

They all rushed to help Dallan. Hazel stepped back.

"I'm fine," Dallan grumbled as they tried lifting him. The robe he wore had come loose, revealing a black short underneath. The part of his chest that the hot liquid scalded had turned red. Dallan lifted himself from the floor. "I am fine," he repeated. "I fell from the chair."

The chair was beyond repair. One of the guards gathered...