Sequoia Coast born into cruelty and crooked form

Not liking it was an understatement. Raleska was immediately put more on edge.

Two generations back, the tongue this male spoke would have been received with joyous relief -- little did Raleska know her blood ran as north as his. Fast forward a generation, and most of the mothertongue was lost. Add another generation, and the language was just as alien to her as anything else. It was fascinating -- and disappointing -- the way sometimes cultures were not inherited.

He divulged someone from Rusalka had met him - Raleska's eyes cut to him harder than glittering glass; "Who?" And who was the blabbermouth, telling everyone about their business? She did not think Rosalyn or Erzulie would be so loosely trusting, particularly not with a male. And the list of subordinates was slim enough she already was going through the list mentally.

A stream of air hissed between her nose in a scoff as the bear instructed her not to fear. "That is what they all say." Raleska shot back, happy then there was still some distance between them.