On the television a black and white movie continue to mime simple villainy and heroes destined to triumph. Kerry's hand toyed idly with Bern's hair.
"So, we actually do go to Canada," Bern said, his heart thudding. "We've probably got enough money between us for a guide through the no man's land. They say otherkin get asylum, mostly."
"The dead man was my brother. The traces I removed were from him as well as those who killed him. They brought the body here from my mother's home."
"So, he's dead. And they are using him to draw you out and destroy you too. Are you so eager to let them succeed?"
"They'll come back eventually. To check. If I don't sense them, you will. I can..."
Bern pursed his lips, tensing. "Die with the rest of your kin."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Because I'm part of the explosion. The mongrels that got caught up when the first otherkin came out into the open? Just some tainted normal not a real; what is it you call yourselves ... the elder races?"
"I've never said such things to you."
"It's enough that you think them."
"I think them, but not about you."
They sat side buy side and watched the dumb show on the TV, stewing in their separate thoughts. Kerry's hand the only movement, stroked gently across Bern's hair where it was cut short by his cheek, then traced gently the whorls of his ear.
"I'm not doing this," Bern said. "Not in secret. Not with someone who is just going to get themselves killed."
Kerry made no acknowledgement, no move at all. Bern closed his eyes, leaning his cheek against the rough fabric of Kerry's uniform shirt. He smelt the familiar lupine musk, and over it a different shade of scent. Ranker, sharper. The meaning sifted into his consciousness only gradually.
"They're here, Kerry."
"What? Who?"
"Wolves, another kind of wolves. They're here now, breath deep, I'm amazed you cannot smell them already."
)
