A blood-red paw

She nodded to Kove's grateful response, then stepped closer and licked Kove's forehead in a semi-friendly, semi-familial way. They were unofficially brethren now. Their mother was Mephala, the Night Mother, and their father was Sithis, the Dread Father. Now she had another Dark Brother in her Dark Family, and their numbers were growing. "You're welcome, Kove."

With that, Meldresi pulled away and let out a short howl, alerting the other Dark Brotherhood members that they had a new Brother in their ranks. After flashing Kove one more smile, she melted back into the dark, and returned to her pups.