"Get behind me, now," Luca said in a low, forceful voice that sliced across the spooky quiet of the moonlight clearing. The dark man facing us exuded a terrible atmosphere, its predatory intent focused on us via flaming eyes.
My instincts screaming to go, I paused; the mark on my wrist burned with a force that anchored me to the ground. "Luca, it's not attacking," I said, shaking.
He murmured, "Not yet," and stepped in front of me. His body was tight, his muscles coiled as if he were ready to attack at the least provocation.
The dark figure moved almost curiously, tilting its head. Its voice then was low and resonant. "The relationship gives strength, only if you endure. The jungle does not pardon weakness.
"You are what? "I found my voice and demanded.
"A messenger," it read, plain enough. "The Moon Goddess created these challenges to evaluate your value. Should you fail, the bond—along with your pack—will break.
