Sai was almost relieved that the raptor was still waiting for him. "You again?" he asked with a smirk, preparing for their usual dance.

  "Chirp!" said the raptor, and she pranced to his side.

  Sai backed away. "What are you doing?" he asked. "I thought we had a thing. We fight, I shackle you, we face the Vale together."

  "Grrr…" said the raptor.

  Sai walked back to her side and placed his golden claw on her head. She closed her eyes and pressed against his touch. "But you're willing to be shackled without a fight," said the orc. "It's like you want to travel with me." He shook his head. "No. That's impossible. The wyrmkin are children of Syn. You don't have minds. You know only destruction."

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  The raptor pulled back and cocked her head. "Skree?" she asked.

  Sai stared into her eyes. "I never had a pet," he murmured. "Especially not a pet raptor." He looked past her and into the distance. "Pets have names. You don't name research subjects."

  Sai's eyes snapped back to the raptor, and he jerked his hand away from her head as though the touch of her could sear through his scales. "And that is all you are," he spat. "A subject. A tool to be used and discarded."

  "Grrr…" said the raptor, backing away and slinking low as she prepared to pounce.

  Sai clutched his spear. Why was his stomach knotting? He couldn't be scared of this thing. "Now I'll say it again, and this time do it right," he said. "You again?"

  The raptor screeched.