Devon tied the rope around his wrist again. It was easier that way, so he could have two free hands to feel where he was going. He stretched out his arms in front of him ready to warn him of obstacles,

"Hey look Kashvi - I'm a zombie leading a werewolf!"

There was an exasperated sigh from ahead of Devon. Kashvi had already given him a lecture that morning on how he needed to take the danger more seriously.

Devon got it - big vicious beast on end of lead. But if the Alpha was going to attack him or bite him, Devon reckoned he would have done it by now, he’d certainly had his chance last night. Mateo had probably realised it wouldn't do him any good, it wasn’t like he could escape anyway and if he harmed Devon, Kashvi would slice him in half.

Devon eavesdropped on Ruby talking to Kashvi. He still felt a bit nervous of Ruby, especially given the other hunters had tried to murder them in their sleep. But Ruby had taken their side and she had even proved accepting of the witch marks.

Plus, Ruby had a pleasant voice and it was nice to hear someone else talking for a change. Kashvi had stopped talking so much over the last two years, happy instead to let Devon fill all the silences.

Maybe Devon just hated the silences more because he could't see, it was amazing how much more...silent they were when there was no visual to distract you.

As for the werewolf talking – it was like trying to get blood from a stone. Devon kind of understood that one, after all Mateo was their prisoner that they intended to sell to the highest bidder or barter for safe passage and lodgings.

"What does he look like?" Devon asked Ruby as they stopped for lunch. "All Kashvi will say is that he has dark hair and a tattoo."

Devon heard Ruby take a slow breath and assumed she was looking up at the wolf.

"It's strange," Ruby replied, "I've never really thought to look at their features before."

"But they look human?" Devon interjected, he had seen a werewolf, before the curse.

"Not to me. As soon as I would see the eyes, it's like they took on the form of monster in front of me," Ruby replied.

Devon sighed, he was obviously not going to get much of a description from her either, but Ruby surprised him by piping up a moment later.

“The wolf has dark hair, almost black. He's taller than you and he's broad. He's unshaven and wearing black loose fitting trousers without a shirt. His eyes...his eyes are currently a very pale gold and they are glaring at us like we're an entrée."

Devon snorted, "Perhaps he doesn't like your description?"

"Perhaps not, it is a pretty angry expression, then again, I've come to expect that from wolves."

Devon heard an angry huff coming from the direction where Mateo was sitting.

"His name is Mateo," Devon stated.

"He told you his name?" Ruby asked, Devon could hear the surprise in her voice. She then made a dismissive sound, "It's probably not even his real name, you should be careful Devon, he'll try anything to manipulate you."

Another angry huff.

Devon grinned, "I don't think it's made up, I mean of all the fake names to pick -Mateo? - Come on, at least choose something more original."

Kashvi chuckled softly beside him, "Ruby's right Devon. Wolves lie, it's in their nature."

Devon sighed, "Who do you think will buy him?"

"Whoever gives us a good price," Kashvi replied. "All I can hope is they have a strong muzzle handy, that hex won't last forever." With that, Devon could hear her getting up and packing away the rest of the rabbit they had been eating.

"Did you give Mateo some?" Devon asked, raising himself up with Ruby's help.

"Didn't the vet ever tell you not to spoil your pets Devon?" Kashvi snarked, but he heard her sigh a moment later and walk across the dry earth. There was a growl then chewing sounds. Devon grinned in their general direction.

"Out into the plains tonight," Ruby noted.

"Don't remind him," grumbled Kashvi. There was a moment of silence and Devon knew the girls were casting each other looks.

"Devon has a thing about Chimeras," Kashvi stated.

"Who doesn't have a thing about Chimeras?!" Devon exclaimed defensively. "They're super strong rabid death monsters from the bowels of hell."

"Pretty sure my Dad used to say something similar about werewolves," Ruby replied, tugging on his arm to signal that they were moving now.

"It's different," Devon muttered, "Werewolves have human forms and they can talk and they don't..." Devon paused, he was about to say 'and they don't always try to kill you', but every encounter he had ever had with a wolf would contradict that. He jerked on the rope and looked back,

"Hey, do you always attempt to eat the humans you meet?"

"No," Mateo replied gruffly. Devon was about to turn round to Ruby and Kashvi triumphantly when Mateo continued,

"Some of them we keep unspoiled and package them for the Meat Markets."

There was an angry snort from Kashvi, "What did I tell you Devon? If the tables were turned he would be doing the exact same thing to us! Only I'm pretty sure he wouldn't keep trying to engage us in conversation," she added pointedly.

Devon pulled a face, he guessed she was right. If they had come across the Alpha when he was conscious he would have taken them prisoner and dragged them south to sell. Devon wondered if he would even be considered 'sellable' or if he would have been killed.

"Hey, Mateo," Devon whispered, he tried to keep his voice low but knew Kashvi heard it, because she made an exasperated huff and started to talk very loudly to Ruby.

"Would I be damaged goods?"

There's a moment of silence then,

"Yes. But you might still fetch something. In the bargain bin." Mateo replied drily.

Devon barked a grim laugh, "Well that's my self-esteem boost for the day."