The Heartwood and i pray to god you dont come back here anymore

she would not entertain the male with the details of her haggard plight -- much of which was beyond her control -- but it appeared she would not have to.

the beast rounded, lurching forward. caiaphas marked each step, measured each stride -- readying for merrick too to turn against her.

yet he didn't -- and these seconds would be vengeance's last, unless he quickly swerved away.

she was no longer wounded, no longer the victim of her injuries. hard miles had made for hard muscles, hard mind, hard teeth -- nimbly the siren pivoted her body from his trajectory, waiting with that measured discipline of a wolf well-schooled in killing.

and then, should vengeance plow through merrick's advancement with reckless cause heedless of his own doomed fate, he would find the siren deflecting neatly to his flank, low and full of teeth.