Blackfeather Woods tolling on the iron bell

She turned at the sound of Ramsay's pawsteps and raised her brows at his remark. Oh? she said lightly, then her mouth quirked as her brother continued. Putting it mildly, she thought. The dark man was an enigma to beat all enigmas; where had he even come from?

I ran into him the other day, too, Maegi said. He, uh, he had collected poisons, which I thought was interesting. Like he knew I was interested in them. . .or maybe he's interested, himself? Like Cicero.

Her ears flattened slightly. He's strange, but I don't think he's a threat, she assessed, hoping she was right. I think he would have killed us by now if he were a threat. The shadow had been given ample opportunity, anyway. Ramsay had brawn, but Maegi could be snapped like a twig, should one desire.