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The great wolves of old had used portals; that es, roads of space and time that allowed thee of the ancient wolves had been lost for centuries The passages were closed to him and h

is kind

But Marrok believed they would open for him Marrok told him to try The white as froreatest friend Marrok knew about the chronologs, about the passages, about their long and storied history Marrok knew about his talent and told hio, and the rest of theht

He waited until a night when the trolls seeuard was dohen the athered the wolves of his den together

I’ faces Who’s with me?

The wolves looked to Ahras, but ultimately she approved the plan, as he knew she would She was as reluctant to be turned into a hound as any of them

He’d stolen the sword earlier that day It had been easy enough; it was a little thing, the size of a needle, and he’d kept it in his mouth The locks on their collars broke at its touch The freedo; he could feel the power flood through his body, through his soul Wolves were strong, stronger than the masters once, it hispered—maybe it was true

He led the it out the door when one of the younger wolves stumbled and twisted her ankle Help! she cried

She’ll only slow us down, Ahrarowled We’ll come back for her

No! Please! Tala pleaded Her big blue eyes locked on his, and he didn’t see how he could refuse her

She’s co with us Tala had helped him when he was down; he owed her this much

This is a bad idea, Ahramin warned

She was right

Tala followed as they left the den, but her slower pace gave the hounds tied, salivating at the thought of ripping the wolves apart, and they caught up to theht at the border between the worlds The wolves were certain to be captured until Ahra out his demon throat

Go! she yelled Already the hounds were rounding up the others, locking collars on their necks, dragging them back down to the Ninth Circle of Hell I’ll hold theo!

No! cried Edon, who’d always loved her

You know I’ht, Ahramin said She was so brave, so fearless Do what you have to do

More hounds were drawing closer

In a moment, they would all be captured