darkly, darkly

the ostrega's question caught him off-guard -- it would have been better posed to dante. but then lasher remembered himself with a sinking heart, and glanced past mordecai's shoulder. junior's death still tormented him; he could only imagine her last thoughts before the black pain took her. at peregrine's hand, his mind added.

taltos' jaw tensed momentarily, but he released the tension along with breath he did not realize that he had been holding. "increased patrols; large hunts will have to be ceased for the time being, until it is clear he is not returning." lasher would not be accused of giving up the search until he and his pack had exhausted all possibilities. he trusted mordecai would understand.

"peregrine is to be killed on sight," he added quietly, murderously.