Lurk stood over the fallen Mia, circling to face all the shadow-things that circled him; as a wolf, he well understood the pack he now faced: he had proven himself a dangerous opponent, and now like dogs facing a bear, none of them were willing to go first; so they circled him, coming closer by inches, waiting for another to make the first move. In a moment the tension would peak, and they would all leap together.<br/><br/>Thinking quickly, Lurk ceased his growling, hid his claws, and lay down next to Mia, as if they were alone on a peaceful beach.<br/><br/>This was such bizarre behavior, that the shadow-things backed away, sure he was pulling some trick.<br/><br/>Lurk closed his eyes and yawned theatrically.<br/><br/>In a moment, he half-opened one eye: the things approached even more cautiously than before. Just a bit more, Lurk thought. . .<br/><br/>With a roar, he leapt to his feet and lunged at the nearest thing; before it had even faded, he turned right around and attacked the ones who closed behind him; he cut through three before the rest pulled back.<br/><br/>Lurk grinned; though it was with a mouthful of wolf teeth, there was something of primate humor in it as well.<br/><br/>The things began circling again: that would not work again. They'd come closer and closer until they were ready.<br/><br/>Lurk had lived a long time by studiously avoiding unnecessary fights while fighting like a devil when he had to; chances were, if he just stepped aside, they'd ignore him and go for Mia. But the fact was, he really, really hated these things.<br/><br/>He snarled challenge, while somewhere off in the darkness, running footsteps neared. . .