Poor rationalization aside, it was their lives against his and he'd grown rather attached to living -- despite his past and even his current circumstances. He sighed. Now he had no other option. "I'm sorry but I can't let ya do dat."

Steelbeak had learned quite a few years back to give no thought to doing such things. He would not have survived in F.O.W.L. had that been the case. With no qualms, he stabbed the wood duck in his shoulder. Before Steelbeak could go after him again, a pair of hands grasped his vehemently. He turned to address the woman and drew in a sharp breath.

Instead of the woman, it was the young girl who'd been witness to the crime, her piercing blue eyes gazing up at him in desperation and fear.

"God, please don't do this!" Tegwen implored. "You have no idea what this will do to us! You'll ruin everything!"