Rivers of magic buoyed her, became the life's blood she'd already spilled, loving kisses the breath she so desperately needed. She hadn't wanted to leave Aislinn, hadn't wanted to let her go. There was no rational thought that fed the despondent wish, what she wanted most of all in those seconds, wounded and bleeding as she was. She wanted Aislinn to hear her. She wanted Aislinn to know how sorry she was that she had not kept her safe. That there would never be a den circle...

Veti's head lolled against Thad's shoulder as he held her. She heard his words, his silly jokes - and she heard the fear in his voice. She ached for him, would have done anything she could in that moment to reassure him, but the darkness that had played at the edges of her vision swallowed her whole, pitching her into a strangely radiant twilight.

[i]The night sky wheeled overhead, the stars dusted against the velvet heavens in a dizzying profusion, a sight that can only be viewed far from modern urban lights. Not even the twinkling lights of the tiny village of Ardgroom could be seen from where she crouched. Her gaze fell like the moonlight that bathed the entire countryside in a silver fae glow. She was the crimson wolf once more, beside the stone circle Atticus had summoned them to only the day before, and she wasn't alone.

No, Veti wasn't alone, but none of her friends, companions or co-workers were gathered here either. A bonfire was burning in the center of the ring of stones, lithe, graceful figures of various sizes standing or reclining about the blaze. The werewolf crept closer, just to the border of the flickering firelight, as a great, fang-filled smile grew across her maw.

Wolves. There were werewolves of all the colors of the earth, deep coal and woodsy browns, moss greys and sandy creams. The firelight reflected from a several bronze torques, intricately detailed armbands wrapped serpentine about thickly-muscled arms, and rings obviously crafted for the size of the werewolf's claws. A few of the smaller wolves, only pups really, growled and yipped and play-wrestled at their parents' feet, only being pulled back when it seemed a little one might singe his fur. Some of the older wolves were eating great hunks of meat with their claws, or kept one watchful eye on the pups. Still others reclined on the soft grasses, or leaned against the standing stones, those ancient monoliths not swayed in the least by the weight of a wolf. 

But to the last, their eyes were riveted to one figure. A great black wolf with a deep grey mane was speaking. Veti could not understand his language, but she was pleased to realize she understood his pantomime, gesticulating wildly or oh-so-subtly to punctuate his words, first of trekking over a great mountain, and then the fording of a river... A story! 

He was telling his pack a story, a fairy tale or a harrowing true story Veti could not tell. No matter, she was thoroughly intrigued, creeping inches closer to the very edges of the firelight now. None of the werewolves seemed to take notice of her, young or old, and she was content to remain just without the circle, mesmerized by the whole of the sight unfolding before her. 

And in the way of dreams, Veti's attentions were entirely for the sight before her, no thought or care for how she came to be here, utterly immersed in this moment as she listened and watched. It was a movement at the corner of her vision that caught Veti's attention though, when she realized she was not nearly so unnoticed as she might have thought.

One of the wolves closest lifted her elegant head to the skies, as if she were testing the wind. Various shades of grey played over her pelt in mesmerizing patterns, every least movement a dance of fur and muscle. And when she turned to peer over her shoulder, Veti caught her breath. She had never seen a more beautiful creature in all her life, the exquisite line of gracefully curved ear and shining amber eye curved to the subtly tapered muzzle, some master artisan's rendition of lupine perfection.

It was not until the werewolf smiled that Veti finally understood. She knew this sweet fanged grin, the kindly light that animated the other wolf's eyes. She turned toward the large grey wolf beside her, tapping him softly on the shoulder, whispering something to him before returning her attention to the edges of the fire behind her. 

She held Veti's gaze easily, reaching toward the crimson wolf with one great talon, beckoning her closer, inviting her without a word to come join their gathering. Veti blinked, the strangest thrill of bliss darting through her chest. She took a single deep, fortifying breath - [/i]

And it hurt like hell, that breath - but it was good. A true breath, deep and life-affirming as Veti's eyes opened wide, as if surprised to find herself still alive. And when all the sounds and colors of the world began to come back into focus once more, the smallest smile on her face as she realized Thad was cradling her. She reached to his face, soft fingers trying to pull his attention to hers. Somehow it was him, who had brought her back. Somehow it was Thad who saved her this time, though she had no idea how this could be. [i]Brilliant,[/i] so brilliant her dearest man.

"I'm here love," she whispered, "I'm here." Almost she said that Aislinn was as well, but Veti felt suddenly sure, Thad already knew that. "You can set me down, I'll be all right. You're my strength after all - how could I not be? But where is Siya? Daisy - or Artie or... "

Veti grimaced, swallowing her pain. "Or Mr. Hoyle? Where is Mr. Hoyle?"