"I merely present a form he feels inclined to trust."
"Most male wolves would feel threatened by someone fairly sizable."
"But your friend was once rescued by a man similar to the form he sees."
I paused. "And how would you know that?"
"Because I may be a Mijai, but I am still a reaper. We can reach into the minds of humanity and see their desires and fears."
Fuck, I hoped he wasn't seeing my desires and fears. That might get a tad embarrassing! "Then why do both Ilianna and I see your true form?"
"Because there are a rare few in this world who can see past the glamour."
"Feeling better?" Stane swung around in his chair and gave me the once-over. He frowned slightly. "You still look a little peaked. Maybe a coffee would pick you up—"
"Not coffee," Tao said, as he galloped up the last couple of steps. "In times like this, only a Coke will do."
He handed me several cans, then his gaze fell on the dragon glittering fiercely on my arm. "What the fuck is that?"
"Long story. I'll explain on the way home."
He grunted, and his gaze slid past me. "Then who's that?"
"Azriel." I popped a can open and gulped down some fizzy brown life-giver. I immediately felt better—although by rights, given I'd only just finished chucking my heart out, it should have had the opposite effect.
"The reaper?" Tao said, surprise in his voice. "Why the hell does he look like Marat Neale, then?"
Marat Neale was the youngest of the brothers who co-ran the Neale wolf pack. Kellen—who'd once been one of Aunt Riley's lovers—was Stane's father and the oldest. Sian—the middle brother—had been Tao's. I looked over my shoulder. Azriel's gaze met mine, a small smile touching his lips and briefly warming his eyes. "The man-mountain previously mentioned."