This time, instead of taking any opportunity to attack, the owl beast backs away further, unsteady enough that it doesn't get all that far. It looks a bit smaller yet.

Eda flinches at his reaction. She knows she shouldn't have said anything. She knows how ridiculous it sounded. She knows she should feel good about this. So why does she feel so sick to her stomach instead?

Something is wrong--

Her head is spinning. The owl beast is bleeding. She can't see, can't smell this much blood without remembering her father clutching his face in pain and remembering that that was this thing's fault and that should make her want this but it doesn't.

Something isn't right here--

And in a split second she can't help thinking of something else as she watches this man about to stab, to cut--

c u t

My daughter is suffering and I want that thing out. Cut it out if you have to.

All at once the girl darts out from cover to try to grab Manji's sleeve.

"Don't! It--it's scared."