Blackfeather Woods but now the rains weep o'er her hall

Anansi closed his eyes and crooned low in his throat when Sakhmet's nose glided through his fur, sending a pleasant shiver down his back. For just that second or two, he took comfort from his sister and nearly forgot about their missing brother. Maegi's sob returned him to reality. Tilting his muzzle up and drawing his dark brows down, the boy reached out to touch their adoptive mother's snout at the corner of her mouth, then pulled away.

I need to find him, said Maegi. Anansi nodded, agreeing completely. Sobek was wild at heart, untamed, and likely would break their ena's heart in various ways throughout their childhood, but being family, they could never leave him out there by himself. Blood stuck together, and there was no forsaking them.

Yes, said Anansi, who was not bothered by the prospect of leaving the forest. Unlike many Melonii before him, he didn't feel any particular attachment to the place besides believing that it belonged entirely to Maegi and her family, while others were simply fortunate that they were permitted to stay. The prospect of a trip was far more exciting than leaving the woods was frightening.