Totoka River electric zoo

Caiaphas's sharp, scornful words caused Junior's ears to pin backward. They took her off guard, though eventually she protested truthfully, "I don't think you're an idiot..." Before Junior could get another word in edgewise, Caiaphas challenged her to a macabre game of sorts.

"No," the youth replied flatly. "they're not just my secrets to tell. I was trying to take you to meet them so they could tell you more. But forget it," she added dismissively, realizing now that the Nereides didn't need such an unpredictable wolf, even if she was female. Between talk of sacrifices and her strange offer just now, the youth sensed a violence in the woman. Junior's previous disquiet had now turned into full-blown discomfort with the situation.

She was tempted to turn to Atlas and sweep back home with him with nary a backward glance. Instead, Junior stood her ground, eyes fixed on Caiaphas's yellow-eyed face to see how she might retort.