blood like mercury

The sound of upheaved earth scattering over brittle snow quick brought Caiaphas to attention -- with sharp ears pressed forwards, the coywolf turned her attention to the source of the noise. It was not hard to discern between the empty hall of solemnly lined trees and the sparse smattering of brittle fern the bent form of a digging wolf -- without fear, Caiaphas approached her.

The wolf Caiaphas did not recognize, though she bore slender features much like Caiaphas' own. A precursory inhalation foretold that the female bore no scent of pack affiliation, though there hung in the air the curdled scent of iron and blood. Caiaphas regarded the narrow creature thoughtfully, her voice venturing without trepidation into the air. "Is that blood?"