Nila's newfound confidence vanished the exact second Richard raised the silver dagger.

A wave of terror flooded her chest, turning her limbs to ice. The roaring silver fire in her veins suddenly felt small and useless against the six vanguard warriors closing the circle around her. These were men who have fought in wars even before she was born. Even with her awakened wolf, she will be no match against them. She looked at the long, polished steel swords in their hands, and the small iron hunting knife she held felt like a joke. Kaelen had been right. She had let her desperate need to save people blind her to...