book 7: normalcy

Several things happen at once. Claws catch Jael's hip before she can dodge them, sinking into the tender flesh. Gilgamesh is quick, quicker than Jael can even process. For a creature typically so paranoid, her fears have come to play. Her hackles lift along her spine, eyes going wide. Gil-- her savior, her protector, coming between the girl and the predator once again.

A yelp that fades to a whimper, teeth flashing, but Jael is scared. Fuck, she's scared, heart pounding in her chest. Stomach lurching, darting forward, tucking herself well behind Gilgamesh. He has control of the jaguar, he has the situation under control. Jael's eyes wide-- her reliance on the man isn't something she likes to advertise, but without him? The girl would be disconsolate. Coppery scent of her blood in the air mixing with her fear, the foul stench of the predator, all of it. Head spinning with the pain that bloomed in her hip, the pet staggers to the sand.

The only thing that remains in focus is Gilgamesh.

“Speech.”