Tampering with devotion.

Stalker-ish (5)

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Stalker-ish (5)

The female stands after asking, letting her inner beast mark her skin, her eyes settling just at the precipice of change. I can sense it, I can see it, but I can't bring myself to trust it. Wolves are the most family-oriented kind, our knee-jerk reaction is to recognize one another as our own, until the politics and territory and whatever comes in but, I can't do that with her, my instincts refuse. Nonetheless, she is my superior, so I acknowledge that, at least.

"We were there because Donovan had gotten a tip that a Phoenix was going to be there. Aldos claimed that that whole spell stuff was a part of the entry fee, along with Zions' scales. I wasn't taking him seriously until it got to that point."

"Who's Donovan?"

"My best friend."

"So, you did all of that to see a Phoenix?"

"Well, it turned out to be a bust but, yes. They're said to be so few, they may be extinct before the next century." I push all the arguable enthusiasm I can into my tone, just like with the Nex. Looking at her incredulously while she shakes her head.

"So, did you?"

I smile sadly, she matches my emotion when I answer, "No, unfortunately."

"Well, it's good that you two found out before it was too late. Alright, you can go, I'll tell Sam to send Gemini one final time and then you all are free to leave."

"Yes, ma'am." As I stand, someone knocks on the door.

"What is it?" They take that as the all-clear and come inside. A man enters, eyes alert, shoulders back and senses sharp. A sentinel. He goes to stand before Lisanna, paying her due respect.

"I sent you a message, but I was told to come to get you. There have been trespassers at the northern border. Members from the Norto area have been arrested."

The Inhe is displeased to hear that. "Yes, I was there when they were caught. Have they been acting up? Causing trouble?"

"Not really." He informs, shaking his head. He looks bored of their mentioning. "It's just that one more came crawling over to us to start some stupid trouble. Bored with fighting the Rosench, I guess."

"Then why don't they mess with the Fayes', they're just as big a town as us."

"Or the Saturns, but I would guess that we're closer."

She presses a knuckle against the bridge of her nose. "Exactly, so, why'd you need to come to get me?"

"Their Nex requests your presence to negotiate the two Wolves' return without the penalty."

She clicks her tongue. "No fucking way. Not this time. I'm sick of them." She eyes me from the side of her eye. "How long has he been here?"

"He'd had his Ori call ours ahead of time. He's been waiting in the tower for about 25 minutes."

"Why doesn't he just talk to Sam?"

The sentinel looks uncomfortable as he admits. "He said he had nothing to say to him. He asked for you by name."

"Someone shoot me into Joys' Trench." She spits, then relents. "Stall for me, I'll be there as soon as possible. And set three more guards to the North, tell them to maim if they see any potential threats." He does as she says. Gone with the wind and her orders, I stand there awkwardly wondering if I should ask.

What's the harm?

"You okay?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, just some pointless stuff. There are these small dime packs around here that like to mess around with each other. It happens every four seasons when they suddenly want to be at each other's throats."