"R-Rylam?" I asked, feeling a strange, electric tension in the air.
Rylam stared at Luke, challenging, his ears pricked and tail twitching. Luke just gazed at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. That seemed to make Rylam's ears twitch all the more.
"I don't believe we've met, foxkin," Luke said calmly.
"Rylam." His gaze flicked down to me and away just as quickly. "Xiviyah's, er...friend?"
"Friend, hmm? Thank you, then. In these dark times, I'm grateful for everyone who has chosen to support Xiviyah. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to introduce myself until now. I've been...preoccupied."
He held out his hand with a warm, friendly smile. Rylam took it stiffly, and for some reason, his knuckles whitened, squeezing hard. Luke didn't even strain, perhaps not even noticing. Rylam's lip curled, showing the points of his canine teeth.
