Book Five: Chapter 23

When the buck was beneath her, she dropped down from the tree with the precision of a predator born to the hunt and tackled it to the ground. The creature let out a startled cry of alarm, the sound sharp and piercing in the silent forest. Velvet didn’t hesitate. Her powerful arms wrapped around its neck, snapping it cleanly before it had a chance to struggle. The sound of the breaking vertebrae resonated faintly, but she barely noticed, so focused was she on her prey. She bit the buck’s neck in several places, letting her digestive enzymes and venom seep into its circulatory system. The venom would relax the creature, and the enzymes would begin softening its tissues, ensuring the meat would be tender and ready for consumption later.

She slung the buck over her shoulders with effortless strength, muscles coiling beneath her jacket. Emery fluttered down from his secret perch, landing delicately on the animal’s head. The imp