Shades of Grey

THE HUNTER’S UNDERGROUND— FEBRUARY 1844

I rose early the next morning and packed lightly.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Naomi asked as I approached the cave entrance. “Verrilius is ruthless when it comes to his treatment of Hunters. If you are captured, we can’t help you.”

“Naomi is right,” cautioned Giselle. “We’ve heard terrible rumours…”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be alright. Especially with such able-bodied men at my side,” I said, gesturing to Liam and Ryder as they approached.

“Goodbye, Grey,” Naomi called, throwing her arms around me. “And good luck.”

“Thank you,” I said, embracing her.

Ryder then quietly touched my shoulder as I broke away from Naomi.

“Are you ready?”

I smiled and threw my Pallitus over myself, changing into the red-haired LaSalle.

Ryder grinned in return, accepting this as confirmation of his question, before changing promptly into a hunting dog by Liam’s side.

“Let’s go, then!” Liam cried as he threw his own Pallitus over himself.

We ascended the rocky staircase and waved to everyone once again before slipping through the cliff face and emerging into the forest.