Irel moved her hand ever so slowly to touch Kier's palm lightly with the tip of her fingers. Kier clutched her whole hand. The girl winced, but Kier's stare, its solidity and sturdiness, calmed her.
"I'm here," the strange Mage said.
It seemed to Ina and the two Familiars that Kier and the girl were gone, their stares lost in that of the other. It only lasted a second, though. Irel fell forward, but Kier caught her.
"My poor girl," he said. "My poor," he held Irel tight against him, "poor," a tear slid down his cheek, his voice trembled, "little cannibal."
Kier lifted the girl in his arms and, slowly, deliberately, turned his head to look at Ina. "I'm glad you're here, Ina. You're going to have to keep your eye on me."
"What happened?" she asked.
Kier's hand darted to take Ina's.