darkly, darkly

though mordecai had been scarce of late, taltos knew he had no lack of love for the plateau. the man's glance invigorated lasher somehow; their pack was small but well protected. the mention of the caldera caused his lip to curl involuntarily, but he shook his head. "i do not believe that they will come here. it is only his blood that must be shed, after all. and fox, if she arrives. kill her. i have tired of their dealings."

locked away in their xenophobic corner of the wild world, lasher entertained no ideas that the ruby bitch or her monstrous slave of a mate would attend his borders. he was not a violent creature by nature, but the murder of junior had hardened them against whatever lingering affection he had for the devil.

giving a long sigh, he sidled forward to nudge his shoulder against that of mordecai. "tell me, what have you been doing these past months? i have not seen much of you."