LISA

After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.

I''m too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don''t want to know what time it is. If it''s too early, I''ll know we''re still ages from seeing Ava. If it''s too late, I''ll be even more exhausted knowing how long we''ve been trudging through the snow.

Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I''m not in as good of shape as I''d thought.

Kellan''s doubtful stare when I asked to come along is really making sense.

"Don''t worry." Mira''s friendly voice tells me she''s back. Sometimes she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren''t far now."

Thank. Fucking. God.

Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That''s their camp."

My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan''s head. His broad shoulders haven''t slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"

"Not at all." Mira''s smile warms her words. "We don''t always scout in wolf form, you know."

"Why not?" It hadn''t occurred to me that they would do that, but now that she''s mentioned it—well, why wouldn''t they? "Wouldn''t it be easier?"

Mira kicks at the snow, her boots sending up a sparkling spray. "Things are different when we''re shifted. We don''t make a habit of staying in wolf form for too long."

"Different how?"

"Our thoughts are simpler. More primal. Instincts take over. Pack bonds grow stronger, but complex reasoning becomes harder. Plus, clothes are a pain to deal with. No one likes shifting butt-naked in snow."@@@@

"Luxurious," I observe. Most tents I''ve ever seen camping are small. Not the kind you stand up in.

"It wasn''t bad, but Greg snored all night."

Warmth welcomes me as Ava has me sit on what appears to be a folded sleeping bag. My muscles protest the movement—I''ll definitely feel this trek tomorrow. But it was worth it. Good to know what these people do every time they go out.

I didn''t realize even my best friend does this every time she goes out to purify the world. Then again, she isn''t really human. She''s long since outmatched me in strength and stamina.

"Here." Ava hands me a steaming bowl, and the rich aroma makes my mouth water. "Careful, it''s hot."

I cup the bowl in my hands, relishing the heat against my frozen fingers. "Thanks. So how''s the purifying going?"

"That''s the weird thing." She settles cross-legged beside me, taking the opportunity to brush her long blonde hair. I guess she hasn''t been up long. "There''s barely been anything to purify."

Steam rises from my spoon as I blow on it carefully. My brow pinches as I process her words. "Wait, what? How is that possible? You said you''ve been knee-deep in them all week. I think the word you used was drowning in them."

"I know." Her blue eyes are troubled as they meet mine, only to break eye contact as she yanks through a particularly gnarly tangle. "It doesn''t make sense. There''s a large patch nearby, though. I wanted to get an early start, but the guys deserved a break after their long night."

I take a careful sip of the stew. The rich broth explodes with flavor on my tongue—tender meat and root vegetables perfectly seasoned. Yum. I love moose. Never had it before we came here, but now I''m addicted.

"Any idea why?"

"No. Maybe whatever''s causing it is finally winding down? I''ve only found two small patches to purify. Both were pretty weak."

Huh. This is not the news I was expecting. "At least you didn''t overwork yourself, I guess?"

"Yay?" Ava chuckles, but sobers quic. "I don''t know. It makes me feel uneasy. Like something''s going to happen."

"Go knock on wood. Don''t jinx us."