Heron Lake Plateau Demon Boss

Rory was good at taking cues, Towhee observed as the juvenile fell silent and stepped back to stand beside her and a little to the rear. As far as the Beta knew, she didn't say anything else, but she wouldn't know one way or another as her attention fixed resolutely on Apple's features. She wanted to join them, which was more or less the answer Towhee had expected.

In most cases like this, the wolf was a total stranger without any particular connections to the Redhawks. But because Rory had mentioned running into her a time or two, Towhee figured they'd gotten along and that had drawn the old woman to them. Thus she skipped that particular line of questioning entirely and asked, "What are your skills?"

She did afford Rory a brief sideways glance, as she sensed that perhaps the youth was about to say something. But when Towhee looked her way, Rory didn't return her gaze, nor open her mouth. Running her tongue over her jowls, Towhee faced Apple again, expression expectant.