Coffins grow on trees?

—Mira

The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd spent my human life locked in a tower, and even after Lucius had changed me, I'd rarely strayed from his side.

But now, away from the Citadel and all that protected me, I'd allowed for my curiosity to lead me into a potentially dangerous situation.

I thought about Lucius's words, "You're strong, Mira." But as I watched the pale couple circle their trapped prey, I realized that strength alone might not be enough in a world I barely understood.

The boys' panicked voices snapped me back to the present. They were arguing, blaming each other for their current predicament, instead of finding a way out of there... Were humans really that stupid?

I wanted to tell them to be quiet, that they were only drawing more attention to themselves, but I didn't dare reveal my presence.

As the pale couple moved closer to the trapped boys, I felt the weight of the decision before me.