Wyatt's eyes narrowed, watching R bob and shrug, his lips thinned, pressing together as he studied the boy's pale, wet face. He was whiter than usual, with his hair dark and slicked from the rain, like Death leering back at him.

"Howard's terrified," he said, a cold statement of fact. If R was still confused, was still determined to hitch himself to Aunamee, the boy wouldn't be able to say Wyatt hadn't warned him. "An' he's threatened me."

His fingers twitched, curled in against his palms.

"He might be a friend'a yers, but I ain't gonna let him hurt me an' mine."