That will never happen. I don’t need the reminder.
Val looks me over. “If you’re worried, don’t be. I didn’t tell Daddie Dearest.”
“Thank you.”
I’m so relieved, I don’t even scold her about the nickname.
“Whatever.” She shrugs, trying to play it off. “I mean, no way amIgoing to be the one to tell him. I’m not touching that. Still doesn’t mean I approve of what you’re doing. Getting involved with a berserkr is a huge mistake. There’s no world where this ends well, especially notnow.”
“I know that already.”
“Then what the hell are you even doing?” Val asks, her frustration only growing. I can’t tell if she’s more frustrated with me or herself. “If you know you can’t be with her, then stop wasting your time and hers.”
“Are you talking about Edith or Tala now?”
Her eyes widen. “C’est assez!”
I have no idea what she just said.
But I do know if Val is speaking French, she’spissed.
“God, whatever,” she says in English, dragging a hand over her braids. “You know what? Let’s split up. I’ll take left, you go right.”
With that, Val storms off.
“Fine,” I call after her.
I can’t remember the last time Val and I had an argument.
I blow out an unsteady breath.
Focus, Amund.Concentrate on patrol. I can’t let a disagreement distract me. Even if Val really struck a nerve.
The killer is still out here.
As I move through the dark, empty berserkr campus, my mind keeps wandering to Edith. Her lips on mine. How small she felt against me while I shielded her with my body up in the tower. I didn’t want to let her go. Before I knew it, my hands were on her hips so I could pull her closer, tugging her against my chest—
Val is right. What the hell am I doing?
No matter how I might feel about Edith, I can’t do that to my brother. I’ve already hurt Nils enough. Relationships are just distractions, anyway. And it’s not like Edith would even want to be with someone like me. A hunter. A killer.
With every step I take, Val’s words keep repeating in my head.
If you know you can’t be with her, then stop wasting your time and hers.
As I near Odin Hall, its spire blocks out the moonlight, casting a deep shadow on the courtyard. It’s hard for me to see. Unlike an animal, I don’t have good night vision, which puts me at a disadvantage. I glance in every direction, my frustration growing.
One of the nearby lamps flickers.
Something emerges from the shadows, stepping into the lamp’s light. A massive, misshapen wolf rises on his hind legs, with hunched shoulders and long arms dangling by his sides. This is unlike any berserkir I’ve ever seen in the Wilds. Less dire wolf, more werewolf.
Glowing, empty white eyes settle on me.
Wait,whiteeyes—?
The werewolf lunges for me, slamming me to the ground. I wrestle the beast, trying to kick it off, but it’s massive, more powerful than any berserkir I’ve ever encountered. Grunting, I manage to grab my dagger and plunge it into the werewolf’s side. The blade is met with a dullthunk, unable to pierce his flesh.
Damn it. Gritting my teeth, I struggle to keep its fangs away from my face. All I can do is use my knife like a stick to keep it from chomping on me, my arms straining as I try to hold the beast back. Drool drips on me, wet and thick as I fight for my life with every last ounce of strength I have.Come on—
