It felt as if my heart had shattered into pieces. I looked at Maria, who stepped back but held her ground, as if waiting for something. I searched her eyes, but she avoided my gaze, turning away like my stare would burn her. How I wished it would. She deserved to suffer for her betrayal. The friend I’d trusted had sold me out.

My claws extended instinctively, a poor defense against the ten men encircling me. They hadn’t shifted, but several of them brandished black steel swords, ...