Chapter 49. An Open Secret

"Be brave, be brave," Cinnia encouraged herself internally. When the wolf growled once again, she took one inconspicuous step back and was able to push her hand into her boots to grasp the hilt of the daggers. She braced her thumbs against the sheaths so that whenever she pulled, the blades would come free.

The wolf struck. It leaped, causing Cinnia to yelp and pull out the daggers in one quick tug. She squeezed her eyes shut, spun, and slashed, only satisfied when she heard the blade connect with flesh and sinew. Soft whimpers emanated from the dark-brown wolf as it writhed on the ground. The blade had cut across its neck. It wasn't deep, but it made contact with his blood, and the torment to follow was inevitable.

With a vengeful cry, Cinnia threw herself on top of the wolf and stabbed into its heart repeatedly till its pained whimpers died down and it transitioned back to its human form. Her chest rose and fell with short, gasping breaths as she stood from the youthfu