Porcupine Ridge granite eye

His eyes widened in alarm as the boy spat blood and—was that a tooth?!—

The youngster was defiant, and given Muskrat's description of what had transpired to get him here, Hex wasn't surprised. He was disturbed, though, and kept an eye on the newcomer while he spoke to his co-leader once more.

Did he have parents around? he asked quietly. Nutuyikruk had been an orphan, or so they'd thought. That was one thing. This, should she answer in the affirmative, was quite another.

He turned his full gaze back toward the boy and added, Are you hungry? I can get you some food.