Book 1: Someone True

Blanca

Kieran is gone–swallowed up by a tree! I can hardly believe what I’m seeing. The tree simply opened, and now, he’s disappeared. It takes me a moment to comprehend, and I have to wonder if perhaps all trees are capable of this, and my sheltered life has left me thinking otherwise, but then I realize that’s not possible.

I gaze into the darkness where Kieran has gone and see a ladder. Instinct tells me to jump in after him, but it’s so deep, I can’t see anything down there. Instead, I take a moment to shift and get dressed. Then, I quickly climb down the ladder, hearing a creak as the tree closes itself above me.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to reach the bottom of the ladder, which means Kieran didn’t fall that far, maybe ten feet. Still, I expect to see him lying on the ground unconscious. Instead, I wheel around to see him standing in his wolf form in front of several people who have sticks in their hands and are taunting him.