Chapter 75. Dark Emotions

CAIVAN

Mother spoke of a small number of elves as being a stubborn and sometimes, proud people, but Saelyna makes the competition tougher.

I kick at a stone, sending it through the forest at breakneck speed. Something is off, and it’s not just the smell of decay that signals recent use of xanten.

I can’t fathom the root of my vexation. I ought not to give a fuck if her village was pillaged and she wanted to stay and get captured or worse. So why do I feel…this way?

Because you’re human, asshat.

I want to laugh at the small voice in my head. If only I’d see myself as ‘human’. Monster, more like, even though the pack would look like they had forgotten. All the more reason to keep in check with this stubborn, half-wit.

A turn to the left, and I stumble down a slope into a clearing. Here, the smell of burning flowers and bones is overwhelming. I gag as I push myself to my feet, and hold back from retching when I glance up.

The glade is wide, as