Shadow Mountain careful with that axe, eugene

He seemed disconcerted by her lack of emotion, and that pleased her. A small smile curled the edges of her lips as she continued to whisper, voice pitched lower and lower until it was no more than a faint note in the chilly air. She felt Mephala's presence even here, wrapped around her with the warmth of a mother's touch, strengthening--

Maegi was knocked aside by the man's blow, tumbling over like a leaf in the breeze. So weak, she attempted to scramble to her feet but fell again with a muffled thud on the ground, whimpering in pain. His jaws were cruel and cold and so incredibly close, but it was his words that bit into her like teeth.

"I might be a child but I am not dumb," she hissed, truly insulted. "My gods can help me anywhere I go. Squeeze my throat and. . ." She narrowed her eyes at him, but her entire body shook. It was a show of bravado, her speech, but inside, she was more terrified than she'd ever been before. This was real, true danger she found herself in--and no one was here to help her.

"Sithis will come for you," Maegi growled, tail lashing in fury behind her. She rolled into a crouch, waiting for his next retort.