In the dim light she saw a dark coat and pants with fitted, clean lines, not the battered, patched-up clothes of the hunter sheвЂ™d met in the fall. HeвЂ™d grown taller, as sheвЂ™d first thought, and more muscular through the shoulders, settling into his lanky height. Now, as he strode toward her, she took her first good look at him. TheyвЂ™d come together in such a rush before. She saw the gleam of the chain at his neck first and then his eyes, flashing in the darkness. вЂњIвЂ™ve got this.вЂќДЄria stared at the trees, listening to PerryвЂ™s footsteps grow louder as he returned. вЂњI know what IвЂ™m doing.вЂќ Perry gripped the cool metal in his hand. вЂњPerry, I donвЂ™t want to see you make this mistake.вЂќ He nodded at the chain. вЂњSo I am.вЂќ When he spoke again, his voice had lost its bite. He ran a hand over the back of his head and sighed.

Perry glanced to where Aria waited, then back at Reef. Whatever needed to be done next, he wanted her with him and it was his decision as Blood Lord. He knew it wouldnвЂ™t be easy-not at first-but heвЂ™d find a way to make it work. The tribe would blame her for the missing children, regardless of her innocence, because she was a Dweller. He saw the problem with bringing Aria back to the Tides. Silence stretched out between them, too loud after their arguing. вЂњYouвЂ™ve made your point.вЂќ Perry let Reef go and stepped back, drawing a few breaths. ReefвЂ™s temper brought an icy burn to the back of PerryвЂ™s tongue. Perry shot forward, grabbing Reef by the vest. How do you think theyвЂ™ll take to seeing you with her? Vale might have traded with the Dwellers, but he never brought one into his bed.вЂќ вЂњOr maybe theyвЂ™ll turn on you behind your back. Have you forgotten what happened? Because I promise you the tribe hasnвЂ™t.вЂќ You canвЂ™t afford to lose your head over a girl-especially not a Dweller. YouвЂ™ve brought us out here chasing after a girl whoвЂ™s got you so-вЂќ вЂњI donвЂ™t have to tell you what your temperвЂ™s like right now, do I? ItвЂ™s the scent of stupidity. He hadnвЂ™t gone far when Reef wheeled around, his braids swinging out. вЂњA word,вЂќ he said sharply, before he stalked off.ДЄnger streaked through Perry at being spoken to that way, but he trusted Reef. Reef gave a tight nod, aimed at no one, and then shot Perry a hard look. Like they should already know each other. вЂњAria, this is Reef, head of my guard.вЂќ It felt strange introducing two people who meant so much to him.

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