A powerful hand seized her arm. She felt paralyzed, like a rabbit about to be torn apart by a wildcat. She did not try to pull away. She could feel that the grip on her arm was too strong.
She turned slowly.
The moon was behind the man who held her, shadowing his face, but she could make out the glitter of piercing eyes, a stern mouth with strong lips under his brown fur turban.
"Where are you going?" Wolf Paw's fingers hurt her arm.
No words came to her. Frantically, she tried to think of some excuse for walking out so late on a night like this. He could have her killed, she thought, and terror made her feel like sinking into the snow.
But then she remembered some of the lore Sun Woman had taught her.
"My father sent me—to look for a certain herb whose power is greatest when the moon is full."
He barked disdainfully. "Gathering herbs when the snow is up to your knees?"
"It grows under the snow."
He brought his face so close to hers that his black eyes seemed to fill the world.