So it ever was. So will it always be. Such is the nature of evil.
There is never much distance between him and Paravana. They are not imprints, not bound by any certain hand of fate, but they are bound by their covenant. The Shade connects them both and he fancies that he can feel her. Silver eyes flick back to watch as she peels away from him, not stepping onto the beach as she looks into the sky. There is a freedom in her movements but also a loyalty for she does not go beyond his eyesight and it settles his raised fur. Glancing away from her Underdige steps so that the water covers his fore paws and leans down to lap at the water. Here at the edge it is disgustingly warm, his mouth straining down into a snarl at the taste and he takes a few more steps forward so that the coolness of the interior washes against the point where his legs meet his chest. Then he drinks once more, ignoring the nasty taste in favor of soothing the thirst in his body.
It is the sounds of a voice yelling that snaps his attention around, zeroing in on the male that comes bursting from wherever he was hiding, the little heathen, and dashing towards his Paravana. Under's Paravana. Not this boys, not her family. HIS. A growl burns in his throat as he turns around in the water and wades to the shore. Not once does he pick up the pace although his muscles are tense, his mind locked onto Atlas, and he freezes with his front paws now on the beech to watch the scene.
This was it, then. This would be the defining moment when he would learn if Paravana was really as convinced as she said she was. Was really as trained as the Shade had taught her to be. Was really as connected with Underidge as she should be. To interfere now would ruin it all, it might awaken the fear in Paravana, it might awaken the weakness that she was before him. So he stands with Atlas between them, and he waits to see what decision she draws.
For if she was to choose this boy over him, well, Underidge would choose to lay waste to them both in his fury. It was time for the lines to be drawn.
UNDERIDGE
FIVE - MALE - NO HEART - STARSHADE'S SOUL
OF GLORALL - ENDERLY X BANSHEE - KILL COUNT (III)