The crimson symbols above NineLivesLeft faded before either side moved again.
[Pride Marks have expired.]
His gaze flicked toward the empty space above his head, but losing the marks did not restore his earlier confidence. Broken branches covered the road, torn roots filled the mud, and sap ran from long cuts in the surrounding trunks.
Alexandra and Kumoe had taken away his easiest routes.
They had not taken all of them.
NineLivesLeft studied the remaining trees, already piecing together another path through the forest.
Alexandra allowed him to see that she had noticed.
Then her expression changed.
Her eyes widened toward something behind him. One sword lowered slightly while her grip tightened around the other.
"Kumoe," she whispered.
The curious head turned toward her.
NineLivesLeft smiled. "Again?"
Alexandra backed into the wolf. "Don't move."
"You already tried this scene."
"I know."
