Blackfoot Forest every year is getting shorter

Kalganov touches her flank, and her eye draws from the cave to him.  She can't help the flicker of fear that draws upon her expression as Maegi calls into the empty chamber.  Mou wasn't there.

It's only a moment before Maegi begins to round on her, and her hackles ripple in defense.  I don't know! she mouths exaggeratedly, clicking her teeth in the air between them to demand space.  Now that they were out here in the open (and so far from the Redhawks) she didn't fear the girl as openly.  

Despite Kalganov's assurances, she didn't know where his loyalties lie; but two versus one were way better odds than however many would've bore down upon her in Blackfeather.