Hybrid could feel his muscles beginning to ache. There was a dull throb that resonated through his body, but it was familiar, and therefore, welcome. Hybrid was hunched over in an awkward position; he was half crouching, with his belly to the ground, and half standing, with his eyes cast upward. He could feel his back legs beginning to shake, for he had most of his weight distributed to the back in case Gabriel decided to move again. But nothing happened. Nothing physical, at least. The two hybrids stared at one another for a time before Hybrid noticed a subtle change in Gabriel’s gaze. Perhaps it was acceptance, or even recognition; Hybrid couldn’t be sure. Whatever it was, it signalled to the male that whatever their meeting had been about –betrayal and loyalty – had concluded. Hybrid was satisfied.

At last, the coyote stood up, noticing that Gabriel had kept his gaze the entire time. Wordlessly, Hybrid trotted over beside his Aquila and paused for a moment. He jerked his head to one side, away from Gabriel, in an action that appeared to be more of an involuntary twitch than an action. Hybrid was ready to leave this place, and he was ready to go wherever Gabriel demanded he go. The male realized he needed no freedom when he had a leader such as Gabriel, the only creature he could possibly speak to openly and honestly. Certainly, Hybrid had bared his fangs at his superior, but that was only ever out of necessity, never out of disloyalty. And Hybrid knew Gabriel had threatened Inferni with tooth and claw, but only ever out of necessity. Both of them knew where their loyalty lay. They had to, for forgetting it would easily mean a long, painful death. As Hybrid had once ruminated with a black and blue warrior woman, they were born to create chaos and die an empty shell.