Chapter 33 | Ravinica

Chapter 33

Ravinica

OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS , I fell into a rhythm at Vikingrune.

During the days, I hit my classes hard. On the Monday of the second week of class, Hersir Kelvar the Whisperer finally made his grand appearance at Stealth not even anger showed on his flat face.

We reached the edge of the woods.

I wrapped my arm around his waist. "Oh Grim, I'm so, so fucking sorry." My head leaned against his bicep, wanting only to hold and console him.

Then his body stiffened.

With a sharp intake of breath I'd never heard from the huge man, I pushed myself away from him, still holding onto his side, and glanced up.

Grim was peering up at the moon.

"Fuck," he breathed.

The moon was full and white, blaring onto the academy grounds where we stood just outside the canopies of the trees, hidden from it until now.

Howling split the night, in the distance. Yipping from multiple directions. It gave me shivers.

"Grim?" I eked out. "Are you okay?"

He dropped his chin and stared down at me, then unceremoniously took my shoulders and separated me from him, holding me at arm's length. His eyes were tinged a strange shade of red at the corners, though it wasn't tears or sadness. His veins were distending along his thick neck, like he was fighting something back.

"I'm sorry, little sneak."

He turned away, back into the woods, moving much faster than he usually did.

I took a step after him. "Grim!"

He started to run away, shouting, "Don't follow me, Ravinica!"

As he ran through the woods, he shifted midstride, snapping and ripping the clothes on his body as he transformed into a huge polar bear.