Calista hesitated for a fraction longer, studying the merman before her. The dim green light of the moss painted strange shadows on his face, making his sharp features appear even more unearthly. He looked dangerous. But he also looked like he might collapse if she didn't do something.
"Stay still," she said, lowering the dagger but not putting it away. Her feet scraped softly against the damp stone as she closed the distance between them.
Veyrin watched her with hooded eyes, the rise and fall of his chest slow but deliberate. She was cautious, but not cautious enough. Humans always thought they were in control when they held a blade, forgetting that a weapon was useless if they couldn't bring themselves to use it.
She crouched down beside him, fingers twitching toward the gash along his thigh. It was deep, the edges ragged, as though something had bitten him. "What happened?"
