Prologue

Two.

Three.

Four.

Four years past the average age for venom growth. Arrow was late, and his partner was somewhat concerned. There were many possibilities why his venom hasn't grown in yet:

Exhaustion. (No.)

Malnourishment. (No.)

Abuse. (He didn't think. There was a lot of friction between him and his father.)

Immortality. (Definitely not.)

Mixed blood. (Wasn't out of the question.)

Ikiane was a purebred grenaryiane, and his mom was something, somewhere. He didn't know her name, or anything, for that matter. Finding her wasn't something he cared about, but maybe it should be.

Leatherleaf

She ran a soft fabric under Arrow's fangs, like she had been for years, looking for any signs of venom.

"Anything?" He asked in a muffled manner.

Leatherleaf shook her head, trying soooooo hard not to laugh. "No, nothing yet."

Arrow groaned in frustration as she removed the cloth and walked away. "Then when? The venom test is tomorrow, and its mandatory. Kind of need it."

"These things take time. Don't stress it, okay?"

"You've been saying that for years, and I'm getting tired of hearing it. You know Aloe will -"

"Don't worry about Aloe. I'll take care of her. Just take care of yourself for now, okay?"

He snorted. "Still got that caverndweller?"

She sighed. Not this again. " Yes, Seonnyre is still in custody."

"She does have a name."

Arrow had visited her countless times without knowing a name, while Leatherleaf was either asleep or in training. Frequently, Seonnyre was huddled in the corner, glaring at him. He wasn't sure how long she'd been down here, clearly a while. She looked hungry, and thirsty. It hurt Arrow, knowing he couldn't do anything about it, but he was sure she could stretch her wings out, walk around a little bit.

"Just stay away from her. She's already killed three and injured eight, in the past month."

Nine. She had hurt nine, then. When he first started to visit her, he had gotten a little too close for her. She had slammed him into the steel cell that held her captive. He was just trying to take off her harness, that's it. Arrow was able to cover up the bruise on his chest, and the deep gash just above his left eye, which stung at first, but he got over it.

"Maybe she's lonely."

Leatherleaf scoffed. "If she were "lonely", she wouldn't be attacking everyone we sent her way."

"What did you expect? She's being held hostage. I'd attack, too."

I think. He'd like to believe he would fight for freedom, too.

She rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Okay, Arrow, do me a favor. Don't visit her, talk to her, just don't. Please don't let her get inside your head."

"But-"

Leatherleaf patted his shoulder, cutting him off. "I'll see you later."