. . .

Helissent turns over. She leans back against the wolf. For a moment Mr. Gulley has a perverted thought but horror shakes it from him.

“Honey,” Helissent says, “We are not done. This matter is not done. You understand that?”

“Pardon?”

“You ought have said something previously.”

She straightens.

“So tell me, honey, w.t.f.?”

Mr. Gulley ponders this. He searches for words. He explains: “I am the heir to a man who stole the wolf-gold, so the wolf is wound through me. It is in me and within me. It is with me. One day it will bite my head off and then eat the rest of me, and the charge will pass on to the next child of my line.”

Helissent turns. She looks at Fenris’ great left eye.

“Eating people is wrong,” she informs it.

Fenris wags its tail.

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