16
The crowd around the large painted circle didn’t faze Ariel. Her arrogant wolf preened under the focused attention while her human eyes searched the crowd to determine their mood. It looked like most of the townspeople had come to watch, but every face was frozen in a frown as they stared at her.
Followed closely by a vibrating Brandi, Ariel stepped into the circle where Travis, Hanuk, and another male she didn’t recognize already waited.
“Where is your third, Ariel Jones?” Travis asked.
Ariel met his gaze steadily as she answered. “I don’t have one, Travis. I can’t risk Heidi. She’s a healer. Skills like hers have to be protected.”
“I am Ariel’s third,” Reed declared, stepping into the circle.
Ariel’s gaze swung to Reed. Given the shocked whispers running through the crowd, she w
