Avenant noticed the way Summer was looking at him, but he didn’t say a word. He kept his eyes forward, watching the trees and on the path they were headed.

“They don’t,” he answered back. “Not normally.”

He shifted her slightly, trying to make her more comfortable, feel safe. “You reacted fast. Most people freeze the first time something like that happens. You didn’t.”


He glanced at the small deer trailing Snow White and let out a breath. “That’s a good sign. Animals don’t walk into danger unless something’s wrong with them.”

The stone shelter came more clearly into view. Avenant slowed. “We’ll stop there,” he said. “Josh can clean the wound.”

“You can rest when we get inside.”