Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Protecting the pack was more important, and she felt grateful he’d been doing that all night. Was she starting to depend on him too much? Her mind moved to Caidrik’s kissing abilities, and suddenly she felt warmer.
“That’s a pretty smile,” Luca said.
Nadia glanced sideways. Oops. Had she just smiled?
He stood a few feet away with his hands shoved into the pockets of his black jacket. His boots were scuffed and planted solidly in the snow. His blond hair stuck out from under his hat with the edges dusted white. He looked relaxed, almost cheerful.
She snorted. “You’re easily impressed.”
He laughed. “It’s still pretty.”
They stood at the top of Bombay Mountain, though calling it a mountain was generous. It was more of a broad hill compared to the peaks that ringed the territory. Even so, the drive up had been slow and careful, tires crunching over ice while enforcers rode ahead and behind them.
“All right.” Solomon stood a short distance away with his feet braced wide. His long coat snapped in the wind, fabric pulling tight around his legs. His cheeks were pink from the cold, and his eyes were bright with something that looked like excitement. “This challenge,” he said, “is an interesting one.”
“Of course it is,” Nadia muttered.
Luca tilted his head. “What is it?”
Solomon smiled and bounced on his heels. He clearly enjoyed this part. “I’ve named this one the Trial of the Turned Stone.”
Nadia frowned. “You named it?”
“Yes.”
Wait a second. Just how much power did Solomon have? Nadia’s breath puffed in the cold air. “You named all of the challenges?”
“Yes,” Solomon said.
Luca stared at him. “Did you make them up?”
Solomon coughed. “Not exactly. The grimoire outlines the different types of challenges that have worked through the centuries. I adapted them for modern use.”
That didn’t sound comforting, but it did explain the use of the drones.
He gestured toward a massive slab of slate lying half-buried in the snow a short distance away. The stone was flat and wide, its edges sharp where frost had eaten at it. Snow clung to the surface in uneven patches. It looked heavy. Impossibly heavy.
“You should be grateful,” Solomon added. “Several pack members had to haul that up here.”
Luca frowned. “What are we supposed to do with it?”
Solomon’s smile widened. “You’re going to move it, showing the pack you can solve problems and work together toward a common goal.”
Silence settled over the ridge.
“Take it from here,” Solomon continued, pointing to the stone, “to the old mineshaft entrance down the slope.”
Nadia followed the line of sight. The ground dropped away into trees and rock. The path wasn’t steep, but it was uneven and slick with ice. Snow drifted across it in shallow waves before it disappeared into the trees that led up another mountain.
Luca let out a slow breath. “You’re kidding.”
Solomon shook his head. “You may use wolf form or human form. You may not use tools. You may not ask for help.”
Nadia’s stomach tightened. She looked at the stone again and then at Luca. His shoulders rolled back as he studied the distance. He wasn’t smiling anymore, and neither was she.
The wind howled across the ridge and rattled the trees. Snow whispered along the ground. Somewhere below them a bird took off, wings beating hard against the cold air. Nadia wrapped her arms around herself and swallowed. She sucked in a sharp breath, and steam burst from her mouth into the frozen air. “Are you kidding me? That’s two miles away.”
Solomon nodded, completely unbothered as snow skittered across the ridge. “I know. It’s not meant to be easy.”
“This is stupid,” Luca said flatly. He planted his boots and stared at the slab of slate. “Who even cares about this?”
“The pack does,” Solomon replied, his tone calm but firm. “This challenge requires brute force and an understanding of slate as well as problem solving. Slate is what this pack was built on.”
Luca glanced at Nadia, his mouth twitching. “I’m not going to lie. If I never see another slab of slate for the rest of my life, I’d be fine.”
“These challenges have been intense.” Her shoulders tightened as the wind cut through her jacket.
Solomon inclined his head. “That’s the entire point.”
Her feet had gone numb. Now her ankles ached in a dull throb that crept upward every time she shifted her weight. She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re enjoying this.”
Solomon ducked his chin, almost sheepish. “I really am. Being the scholar around here gets boring. It’s nice to do something that actually matters.”
Nadia turned away before she said something she’d regret. The wind whistled through the trees below them, carrying the scent of snow and pine. The forest felt watchful and quiet in a way that made her skin prickle. “I don’t sense any soldiers nearby.”
“Oh, you won’t,” Solomon replied. “They’re out there. I promise. They have to keep their distance, but they’ll guard you both.”