Halo snorted a laugh. “He seems pretty incompetent.”
I shrugged. “There were some things he was good at, back when I knew him in the Knights. I mean, hewasthe highest ranking member besides me and the Commander.”
“No kidding?” Halo asked, leaning forward to rest his elbow on his knee. “I thought he was just some grunt.”
“No. Every member of the Knights was a strong and noble alpha,” I told him. Pensively, I added, “I really did trust Silas before this. I’ve never seen him act so strangely.”
Halo frowned. “You knew him better than I did. Do you think someone’s controlling his mind or something?”
“No. His gestures, way of speaking, and mannerisms are all the same. I believe he’s acting of his own free will. But it’s suspicious. He doesn’t trust me. Like he’s keeping secrets.”
Halo’s gaze turned to the charred remains of the fire, but his eyes were distant. “Maybe weshouldfollow Silas. The note mentioned where he was supposed to be going, right?”
The thought filled me with more anxiety than I cared to mention. Centuries living depressed and alone in a cave had weakened me, and I didn’t know if Halo realized just how much. I wasn’t nearly at my full strength yet. The nameDeath’s Peakalso didn’t inspire much confidence. Whatever awaited us there would have to wait until I was strong enough to deal with it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to barge in,” I said.
“But what if whoever Silas is working for is there?” Halo countered.
“They very might well be. But look at us, Halo. We’re tired, injured - you’restillonly wearing half a shirt. Do we look like we’re in any state to go looking for a fight?”
To my surprise, Halo didn’t bother arguing. He sighed again, testing his wounded ankle and finding it just as painful as it was two minutes earlier. “No.”
“Good. I’m glad to see you thinking with some sense,” I said.
“Don’t condescend me,” he muttered.
“I’m not. I mean it.”
He huffed.
At the same time, a strange, high-pitched noise came from beyond the shrubs. I turned instantly, on guard.
“Who’s there?” I called.
The noises went quiet. A moment later, an autumn-colored shape emerged from the brush, its head low and its pointed ears pricked.
“A fox?” Halo said.
Immediately I knew from its behavior that it was a fox shifter, not just an animal. I waited for it to emerge fully, and when it did, others followed. A few of them held prey in their mouths. They must have been returning from a hunting trip.
Soon six foxes stood in front of us, watching us with a mix of curiosity and reverence.
“It’s okay,” I encouraged them, raising my hands in a peaceful gesture, “we won’t hurt you.”
The first fox glanced back at the others before shifting to human form. The others followed suit. All wore expressions of caution, but didn’t seem interested in running away.
“Hello there,” I said. “My name is Kassius Pax, Captain of the Knights.”
“Uh, Kass? They probably don’t know what the hell that means,” Halo offered unhelpfully.
Indeed, the fox shifters exchanged glances, as if they were unsure how to proceed. I stepped forward and kept my hands raised to demonstrate that I wasn’t a threat.
“Are you from Cinderhollow tribe?” I asked.
The lead fox shook his head. “No. Not originally. We were only just granted access recently.” He stepped forward again to meet me. “My name is Luce. I am the… leader, I suppose, of our little group.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand. It was small, as was he. For the first time I noticed all of the fox shifters were quite small. “Are you an omega, Luce?”
