My plan hasn’t worked thus far, but there’s always tomorrow.

According to the books I checked out of the library earlier today, the wolves can grow as large as a horse. After reading the Unseelie book, I don’t have much faith in the tome’s accuracy.

Still, for this beast to shut down an entire city, it must be fearsome, indeed.

As if conjured from my deepest, darkest imagination, a shadow stirs down in the garden. I press my hand against the cold windowpane, holding my breath as the shadow takes the form of a gigantic wolf⁠—

No, not a wolf. A man.

My heart hums inside my chest, beating faster when I realize who is in my aunt’s garden.

What in the world is Ever doing here? Doesn’t he realize it’s not safe? How did he get around the guards? I fumble for my robe and throw it on over my shift.

The way he prowls through the hedges reminds me of a mountain lion I once saw on an adjacent cliff back in Gravale.

He scales the trellis with grace, keeping to the shadows as he slips along the thatch to my window. I open the latch and ease the barrier aside; the cool kiss of spring air wafts over me.

“If someone catches you, there’s no telling what they’ll do.” I search the street for signs of the guard. He’s out there somewhere.

“No one is going to catch me,” Ever says with a smirk and more confidence than anyone has a right to possess.

While I appreciate his bravado, he clearly doesn’t understand what’s happening on this side of The Divide. “There’s a guard at the gate and more patrolling the streets. We’re not allowed out of our homes after dusk because of a wolf.”

“Nonsense. No wolf has crossed The Divide.”

“Are you certain?”

A nod. “The forest has been silent, and there are no tracks anywhere near the bridge or the village. Either the wolves sprouted wings, or they have not returned.”

If the wolves aren’t what killed that poor goat, then what did?

My fingers tighten on the sill as I shift closer to where he perches. “Do you want to come in?”

His gaze darts to my darkened room before settling back on me. “I thought perhaps we would do something special tonight.”

“And what is that?”

“Come with me, and I will show you.”

Far be it from me to turn down such a generous offer. I grab my slippers from beneath my bed and then climb out the window behind him. My robe threatens to come untied as I scoot down the roof like an awkward toddler. Meanwhile, Ever saunters to the end of the thatch and leaps silently onto the ground.

If I tried that, I’d probably break my neck.