And in the way of that freak comes the silver bitch herself. Pine's never thought of her that way before, always being respectful and minding his Ps and Qs. He used to like Dimitri well enough, finding the man strange but interesting. And before now, he'd almost been intimidated of her, wanting her approval to join his parents as a Shadowsbane. Perhaps, in another life, he would have risen through the ranks, all the way to Shadepiercer. The role sat vacant, with no one having earned that title. Pine would have been the first, wouldn't he, the prince that he is?

Or was.

Because now, with all the force of his training behind him, he stiffens as he stares Valeska down.

"It was you," he whispers.

And it all sinks in. Mom and Dad wanted to stay because this was their home. If Valeska had left, would they have ever done so?

Valeska. Their priestess. The voice of the Five.

"IT WAS YOU!"

The next words are spoken through a snarl as he lunges, full-bodied, fangs bared. He's been staying towards the edges of the territory, where prey's more plentiful, and not drinking the water. He's aware he's in much better shape than Valeska is, even with her being older. And right now, all he can hear is the thunder in his ears.

He can't cry. But he can bite.