"You can't hide forever, Silver Moon child. I smell your fear."
A big hand formed from the mist. It reached for us slow, like it had all the time in the world.
I threw my silver light at it. The hand pulled back with a hiss, but more mist poured in.
Ezra grabbed my arm. "Run!"
We ran across the old wooden bridge. The boards creaked loud under our feet. The black river rushed below us, quiet and dark.
The mist followed close. I could hear it whisper my name.
Nessa. Nessa. Nessa.
On the other side, the cave opened into a wide space. The black river curved around a narrow stone path.
The water started to move.
Ghost pictures rose up from it. Like memories, but bigger. Clearer. Painful.
First, I saw little me in Silverwood. Small. Scared. Hiding in the basement. Bruises on my arms. Hunger in my belly.
Then Marcus in the pack hall. His cold voice. "I reject you, Nessa Gray. You are worthless."
The bond breaking inside me. The worst pain I ever felt.
