---- We''re about to find out, Elliot.


    I would never take unnecessary risks.


    Lets see if this enchantment is as good as Salvatore ims." Katherine responded with confidence.


    If the spell was wed, she had a backup n to escape sok KATHERINE Step by step, I moved forward when suddenly, I saw the vampires back stiffen.


    His eyes locked ahead, on the narrow path curving behind a mountainside.


    Brenda sniffed the air, and both of them exchanged nces.


    Then, they walked toward me, each positioning themselves at my sides as if I were their shield.


    "Damn it, there are too many...


    Looks like we''ve wandered into their territory," Brenda murmured anxiously.


    "If you lied to me, Salvatore" "shut up, Brenda.


    Theyreing," he growled through gritted teeth.


    Even I was growing nervous, my heart pounding wildly against my tibs.


    In the eerie silence, unsettlingughter echoedor rather, the distorted calls of creatures imitatingughter.


    Vicious yellow eyes gleamed from the darkness.


    I looked up, stiffening as I realized they were watching us from the lower rocks ---- as well.


    Hyenas.


    We were surrounded by at least fifty of theman entire ravenous n, and we were their next meal.


    "Move forward slowly," Salvatore instructed, and we obeyed.


    The three of us tense, measuring every step.


    Suddenly, a few of, them advanced toward us.


    "Damn it, Salvatore..." Stay still, Brenda.


    The spell must be workingotherwise, they wouldnt be so calm." Sure enough, one of the hyenasa massive, muscr creature with brown fur and ck spotsstepped closer.


    So close, its exposed fangs nearly brushed Salvatores cloak and trousers.


    We all froze, watching as sheclearly the leadersniffed each of us in turn.


    Thad no idea what scent we carried, but somehow, we had fooled their senses.


    It worked! "Love, it works!" I told Elliot, who let out a relieved breath.


    This formidable n of hyenas was only a glimpse of the dangers in thisnd.


    Even Elliot, a powerful lycan, had struggled with them before.


    The alpha raised her head, letting out one of those strange guttural callsan order for retreat.


    I listened as their powerful paws shuffled away in search of their next prey.


    ---- Until something changed.