Dragoncrest Cliffs riptide

another body. another pelt tinged with ginger and auburn, dead at their paws. lafayette approached sobeille and shadess with steps that weighed a thousand pounds each, unable to get a good look at the wolf they tried to revive.

who was it this time? he wondered, making a quick mental tally of those few who remained.

and then she rose, and asked for manman.

lucette, lafayette said, face blank, jaw slightly agape. he closed the rest of the distance between himself and the trio; he couldn't keep his eyes off her. 

he'd prayed every day, every night, every moment that she would return, but in the wake of all this tragedy, he'd all but given up the prospect of seeing her again.

but now she was here,

asking for manman.

luce, he said again, and felt those ever-present jaws of grief seize his throat. he couldn't tell her—couldn't. not now. not when she'd only just come back.

helpless, he looked toward his other sisters. they could do it; would do it. they were strong.

he was not.