Moon Rise (Twilight Shifters Book 2) by Kate Danley Page A

in all my years living at the stronghold, that was never a quality I saw in him."
    Aein couldn't argue.
    "I wonder what he wants," mused Lars. 
    Aein thought back to the night that Lord Arnkell left her to be ripped apart by the wild wolves.  If it had not been for Lars and Finn, she would have been dead.  While he tied her to the tree, one of his men had eaten a berry from her bag.  She wondered if Lord Arnkell had put the pieces together and figured out why one of his werewolves had gone sane.
    Lars shifted in his saddle.  "How much further do you think we have to go?"
    "You tell me.  You've been here more often.  I was usually traveling this road on galloping horseback."
    "We could gallop a bit," mentioned Lars.
    The time on the road seemed both a luxury and a prison.  She could not wait to get off of her horse day after day.  But she knew what waited for them at the end, and that made every moment spent outside of the swamp a thing to be relished and enjoyed.
    Finn was busy scouting ahead.  From time to time, he would check in on them, his silvery scar stark against his black fur.  But from his relaxed gait, it felt like there was nothing to worry about.
    "Let's go," said Aein.
    They clicked their heels and were off at a fast pace.  The wind was in their face.  The gloom of the prior days dissipated.  There was nothing but the joy of the ride.
    But that was when the trees disappeared.  They pulled their horses to a walk and Aein chewed the inside of her lip.  She knew they were close, she just did not realize how close.  The land had given way to the marsh outside the swamp.  The dirt road changed to the wooden piers built through the bog.  Even fearless Finn stopped, as if the wolf had to summon his courage to keep going.
    Aein squinted.  The falcon was there watching them.  As she urged her horse forward, the falcon took off in the opposite direction.
    "It appears it saw what it needed to see," noted Aein.
    "Not even a spy is getting paid enough to go into a swamp," commented Lars.
    "I suppose they figure whatever we find in there, we deserve," replied Aein, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest.  She looked over at Lars.  He was so pale.  "Are you ready?" she asked.
    He nodded.  "It is not going to get any easier."  He reached behind and got his helmet from his bag, fixing it upon his head.  "Would hate to have something drop out of the swamp and knock me out of my saddle..."
    They proceeded in silence, the emptiness of their horses' hooves muffled on the wood of the road.  As they approached the mangroves of the swamp, it was like the fog had been waiting for them the entire time.  The old pains in Aein's body began to ache, like a rainstorm was rolling in.  It was as if the fog knew where her weakness was and how to make her hurt.
    Lars pulled his horse to a stop and slumped forward.  Aein reached out to him, resting her hand upon his back.
    "Are you all right?" she asked, gently.
    He nodded, swallowing as if trying to fight down nausea.  "It just struck me harder than I expected," he replied.  There was a vulnerability to him, this big, strong man struggling to find the courage to go back into this place of nightmares. 
    Aein stroked his arm.  "Take all the time you need."
    The relief washed across his face when he understood she accepted this moment not as a sign of weakness, but as an appropriate reaction to their situation.  He breathed deep.
    Finn sat at the entrance to the swamp, waiting for them.  Lars looked up and spotted the wolf.  He shouted, "Show off!" 
    Finn gave a bark, and then bent down as if getting ready to play.
    "Can't let myself be shown up by some dog," muttered Lars, pulling himself together.  "Let's go in."
    He clicked his heels against the side of his horse, who had picked up on the mood.  It shied and tried to dance away, but Lars gripped with his legs tightly and steered it back.  The horse reared up, trying to unseat him, but Lars pressed