Lilith reacted first, moving with the speed of a vengeful serpent, putting herself between me and the strange woman. Didn't seem to matter. The newcomer moved with her own lithe grace, circling us, forcing Lilith to wrap me in coils as she spun, head swaying, neck spreading into a threatening hood.

But the woman didn't strike, her arrow loose on the string of her bow, the weapon held low near her black leather clad thigh. Tall boots hugged her to her knees, a tight vest of the ...