Katie's Hellion

"Maybe I know he's promising more than he can deliver. Really, why do you all think we mere mortals are all idiots? I'm so sick of this whole better-than-thou attitude you all have!" she snapped, facing him with her hands on her hips.

"I never said you were stupid."

"Whatever, immortal overlord of the universe! Every time one of you opens your mouth, you patronize me. It gets old and I think I've done damn well in this sick world of yours."

He said nothing, and she raised an eyebrow. He was impossible to read. He wore all black, though he was dressed more simply than she'd seen him, in dark jeans and a black long-sleeved T-shirt and heavy boots. His hair was tied back, his jaw and chin scruffy from a couple days' growth of hair. His liquid eyes were assessing but not flared, his large frame still imposing.

"No smart-ass comment about your blood monkey?" she challenged.

"Nope." He looked amused, if a statue could look amused.

"What are you waiting here for?" she asked.

"Nothing a blood monkey could understand."

"Son of a bitch!"

She marched back to the Sanctuary, wearied by the exchange. Daniela just inside the entrance, and her normally calm face took on an expression of sudden irritation.

"Oh no you don't!" Daniela cried, and flew past her toward the rocks. "Sacred ground!"

She couldn't imagine what Rhyn had done and hesitated to look. Curiosity drew her to the gate again, where tiny Daniela was animated and angry as she stood between Rhyn and Kris. Katie couldn't help but pity the woman; it was her fault they were both there. She felt beat already but forced herself to once again leave the confines of the Sanctuary.

Kris's white hair, fair complexion, and amber eyes were at odds with Rhyn's darkness and glowing pewter gaze. Both were outwardly calm, though tense enough that a hair landing on their arms would make them snap.

Daniela finished her lecture on the Sanctuary's rules and waited. Neither spoke. Katie approached uneasily.

"What do you want, Kris?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I came to talk to you. Alone."

"You're not allowed in the Sanctuary, and I doubt Rhyn will agree to disappear. He's a stubborn jackass like that."

Both looked at her. Daniela paled.

"It'd do you well in our world to learn some respect, especially for the Ancients," Kris snapped.

"What do you want, Kris?" she repeated.