For a moment, when Torsten demanded that Ashlynn reveal her mark, no one moved or spoke.
A layer of frost formed over Hauke's fur as he trembled in a mixture of humiliation and rage. By standing between him and the witch, Torsten had all but shouted that Hauke was too weak to defend himself from Ashlynn while at the same time declaring that he was strong enough to face her in Hauke's place.
Then, he'd gone even further, insinuating that Ashlynn was a fraud, perhaps one of the human 'miracle workers' who had come with some kind of nefarious purpose. The notion should have been ludicrous yet when Torsten said 'Show us your mark', several of the other Frost Walkers nearby began to echo him!
"She should prove that she's really a child of the earth."
"There is no vampire to vouch for her, we need to see the mark!"
"This mountain is sacred, no human should defile it."
