A low rumble, and then the massive alupi emerges from the undergrowth.
A soft cry from Aequa and I fling out my hand to urge her back while not taking my eyes from the beast in front of me. Its shoulder comes up to my stomach.
I know before I look, but sure enough, there’s a long scar along its back.
“Diago,” I whisper softly.
XXXVII
“DIAGO.” MY HEART RACES. IT’S HIM. NO DOUBT ABOUTit. I make what I hope is a calming gesture, palm downward. “Diago, it’s me.”
The alupi responds by baring its teeth and growling more. Even so, it feels more cautionary than threatening. I take a shaky breath and study the creature, one hand still held out to Aequa to ensure she doesn’t decide to take action. He’s almost the same size he was at seven or eight months old. Not the towering monster I’d assumed he’d grow up to be. Just gods-damned big.
I’m a Sextus now, and Aequa’s a Quintus. We’d win a fight. I just don’t want to have to.
“Vis?” Aequa whispers it from behind. I can hear how desperately she’s battling the urge to do something.
I let a long breath whistle through my teeth. Never taking my eyes from the alupi, who’s continuing to growl warningly. He’s intelligent, of that I have no doubt. He’s saved me before. Remembered me before. And if he wanted to attack us, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to spring directly from cover. “Do you trust me?”
“Depends.”
“I think we need to drop our imbuing.”
Silence, then, “I don’t trust you.”
I let out a soft, nervous laugh. “This is the one that saved me at the Iudicium. The one I saved as a pup. I don’t think he’s going to hurt us.”
“You know that’s not how wild animals work, right? You can’t just help them when they’re young and then they’re your friend forever.”
“Alupi are more intelligent than most animals.” I’ve read up on them since the Iudicium, and while not much is known about the creatures, there’s a consensus on that point.
Another long pause and then, “You first. And if he eats you, I’m running.” Her voice is steadier this time, though. She’s gone through the same logic as me. Realised that if the massive wolf hasn’t attacked yet, there’s a chance he’s not intending to at all.
“Hm.” I’ve kept my eyes locked to Diago’s. Heart pounding, I drop my self-imbuing.
He stands there for a few more seconds, and then pads forward. His teeth slowly disappearing. I keep my hand outstretched, but otherwise don’t move.
He reaches me, and nuzzles his head beneath my palm.
“Hello, Diago.” I gently stroke his massive head.
“Rotting gods.” It’s Aequa again, relief palpable. My sense of her Will—unavoidably noticeable, this powerful and this close—vanishes. “You gave it aname?”
Diago glances at her and gives a low rumble.
“Diago it is,” Aequa mutters.
I spend a minute mostly motionless, just reassuring the animal through touch, then risk a glance behind me. “You want to try—”
“No.”
Hard to blame her. Diago seems to be enjoying the physical contact, but he hasn’t sat down.
“Diago. We have to keep moving.” I smile at him. It’s a genuine expression. As much as I tried not to think about him, I’d been worried he might have run afoul of the teams sweeping the island. “I’m glad you’re alright.”
I lift my hand and, nodding to Aequa, start walking. She follows.
Diago begins padding after us.
