through the looking glass

. . .

The leopard was elated at the girl's response - she didn't try to suddenly change her mind. She didn't try to fight back. She didn't even squeal in fear. She did just as she was told and held still. Silverback's broad head came closer, and closer, and as it did, time seemed to slow for both of them. The cat's senstive whiskers brushed against the tender neck furs. Her skull dipped down below the wolf's chin. Her muzzle opened, to reveal rows of sparkling hangs. Her keen ears could hear it - the pounding of her play thing's heart. She could smell the fear scent, too. And yet, no move had been made. Perhaps it had something to do with any residual herbs still in her system, but the girl was mentally or physically unable to move.

It was wonderful. Silverback swayed over her prey like a hypnoticing cobra - her tail even danced like one. But rather than a smooth, forked tongue, it was a round, raspy one that danced across the she-wolf's throat.

But as the crucial moment came - for her to begin to bite down and taste lifeblood - she pulled back just a hair. Just enough for her voice to not be muffled by fur. Quiet and soft came the silver whisperings. "Or I could let you live," she said. She let the option hang temptingly in the balance for a moment, before going on. "I could give you a reason to keep breathing. You could live for me." The teeth were pulled back just another hair now, so that feline eyes could see and read those bi-colored orbs. She would not say more just yet. She wanted to see the other's reaction. Did she truly wish death? Or would she prefer a way out of it? - Even if it was making a deal with a dragon.