Her tongue slithered from between her teeth to curve over her nose, a probably gross attempt to stop its consistent flow. Spiderlily stared at her own legs in a mix of anger and loathing, willing her body to just work with her for once.

One of her ears twitched at the voice rising from nearby, but never too close. Her head swung, catching the stranger’s gaze before she looked ahead again.

I’m trying to find something to eat. Not trouble. Or demons. Her voice rose in a slightly raspy tone, the dark coated teen rising to her feet with a flick of her tipped tail.

I want to catch something. It was spoken like a challenge, as if daring the man to stop her from trying. A tickle bubbled in her throat, and she forced it down with a swallow.