Chapter 29 The First Touch
- The final chord of the lute lingered in the air when the old master of ceremonies stepped back in front of the fire. The crowd remained in respectful silence, as if the goddess herself hovered above them, eyes watchful.
- The man raised his carved staff, and his deep voice filled the space once again:
- “As tradition commands, on the Night of the Umbra, the alpha will now choose his partner for the first dance of the evening!”