Stone Circle better angels

Although by scent it seemed she was closing in on her quarry, Alya still couldn't see her anywhere. Her eyes were focused on the horizon, so she almost dropped into the pit that Korei was lying in. Alya stopped herself just in time, although some snow fell from the ledge and landed on her sister's head.

For a moment, she was so shocked by Korei's sudden appearance and confused by her weird hideaway that she didn't know what to say. It was rare for Alya to be struck dumb - she played that way sometimes, but she was the loud one. The one who always had something to say. This time, she couldn't find the words to bridge the gap her previous ones had created. She swallowed against the lump in her throat and tried anyway,

"Can I come down there with you?"