Mudminnow River shrike

suliya stiffened at the sound, turning with narrowed eyes. her gaze landed on him—a young stranger, though there was something eerily familiar in the set of his eyes, the brightness of that cherry red. she watched him carefully, noting the strength built beneath the adolescent lankiness, the darkness of his coat broken only by the snow-white accents that seemed to glow against the shadows.

her nostrils flared, catching the faint, unmistakable scent of blood woven into his fur, and her expression darkened with caution. in low, measured ahtna, she addressed him, voice carrying a warning, who are you, boy, ng'e'aa ayn ts'en?

her eyes flicked briefly to the amulet hanging around his neck, then back to his face, guarded and questioning, awaiting an answer that might explain the unease prickling along her spine.