random snippet of writing

          Djei scowled, letting his obvious disdain show for the werewolf to see. “You know what the problem is with double-crossers? Nobody trusts ‘em,” he growled, drawing his final skinning-knife. He aimed the blade at Caelen – only one flick of the wrist, and the wolf would lay bleeding upon the ground.
          Kelila started forward. “Djei! He came this far, just hear him out!”
          The neired did not lift his piercing glare. He grimaced, mouth twisting into a morbid smirk, and tightened his grip on the blade. “Aye, hear that? The Ari girl wants me to listen. I really shouldn’t; I can take care of my own without the help of any sniffling pup.”
          Caelen bared his teeth. “Oh, I can see that much. You’d still be facing death in the werewolf camp if not for me! Now this is the thanks I get?”
          “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you where you stand.”
          Silence fell over the grotto. A drip of water, collected from the base of the neired’s kelplike hair, slowly gathered and fell to the grass with a minute splash. The sound seemed as loud as a thunderclap.
          Caelen’s eyes narrowed, a deep growl rumbling in the base of his throat.
          Ever so slowly, Djei pulled his wrist back.
          The werewolf’s claws angrily scraped against the earth.
          The neired exhaled. Time to strike.
          “Djei!” Kelila suddenly rushed to the neired, grasping his throwing arm in a tight embrace and pulling it away from Caelen. "What are you doing?! Can’t you see he’s an ally?”
          Djei finally turned to face her, darkened eyes shooting sparks and daggers. With an abrupt twist of the hand, he broke the girl's grip and brought his blade around to point at Caelen in a salute of hatred. “Shut your mouth, Kelly! He betrayed his fellow monsters. How much easier would it be to turn on us?”
          Caelen bowed his head in humility, softening his gaze to the picture dejected innocence. "The Hunt wants me dead, too.” He spread his arms wide, as if to show off his sincerity. “With my death, you’d really be doing your enemy a favor. Besides…” A glint of a smile appeared in his eye. “I’m a spy, not a traitor. And trust me, there is a difference.”