#64 Tough Love

Peppermint snarled and caught Kier's hand in her jaws.

"MINT," screamed Ina.

"Don't pull her away." Kier said. "She'll bite down harder."

The white fox snarled as she glared at Kier. One of the Mage's eyes twitched and he clenched his jaw, but that was all the sign of pain he showed. Droplets of blood dripped from Peppermint's mouth. After a minute, it was a crimson trickle that fell to the forest below. Another minute, and Peppermint loosened her bite. Kier pulled his hand away. The fox growled.

"Don't call her that."

"I'm so sorry," said Ina. "She's very protective of me, I don't—"

"Medes ripped off strips of flesh from my arm when we met," said Kier. He uttered a spell to heal his hand. "Mina almost pecked one of my eyes out."

"Who's Mina?" asked Ina.

Kier chuckled. His hand was completely mended. "A raven. You're about to meet her."