"I'm not a hybrid, if that's what you're thinking." Jade replied, mimicking his tone of voice while mischief danced in her eyes. "I'm a pure-blooded Gargoyle, which I guess in some ways can be considered a cousin species to the dragon part of your heritage. Unlike dragons, however, we can fully collapse our wings into tattoos on our backs." Reaching up to her shoulder, Jade pushed the fabric of her shirt aside just enough to reveal part of the swirling pattern that had reformed on her skin. 

Looking ahead she realized she couldn't hear the voices or even the breathing of the companions she had left behind. "Okori... You're sure they're up here still?"