Somewhere, deep beneath the leathery skin and efficient muscles, Topsail remained. But instead of being just out of sight she was thoroughly hidden. Occasionally she would mewl in displeasure, but it was easily drowned out by a throaty growl. The Topsail that was, was no match for the Topsail that became. The Topsail from the Gates was no match for the Topsail of the Valley.
Her brain registered the noise of Eight approaching, but it wasn’t the rational thought of her former self. Instead, when her predatory gaze fell on him her lips peeled upwards to reveal a line of dangerous teeth. Her eyes darted back and forth as he transformed, and the beast inside her began to froth and rage. This was not right, he was a trespasser now! Even as he grew taller and more dangerous than her, still she growled. The lethal claw on each foot tapped the ground in agitation and for the first time she felt the first pangs of blood lust. Her mouth watered. Her breaths came rapidly, and the scent of him infuriated her all the more. Of course she had called him here, but she had been the other Topsail when she had done so. The new Topsail could not tolerate him or his presence and certainly not the way he was attempting to assert his dominance over her. If there would have been a rational part of her left she would have backed down; unfortunately, rationale had been shed with her grulla coat and honey colored eyes.
She heard his words but they did not register; instead, she let loose a savage noise, something between a roar and a growl. Whirling around lightning fast she took off, crashing through the underbrush without so much as a thought. Her thick skin was impervious to the branches and the brambles, and in any case, she wasn’t thinking clearly enough to care. Behind her came the crashing of even heavier brush and she knew Eight was behind her. He would not let her get out of control, despite her current overwhelming need to do just that. A feral screech left her open jaws and she plunged forward faster, pushing her new body to the very edges of its limits. Faster and faster she went, and though Eight remained behind her, he could not close the gap completely. But still his presence infuriated her, and soon she found herself slowing. The old Topsail begged her to keep running, to not do what she was contemplating doing. But old Topsail was as weak as a kitten and right now, new Topsail couldn’t bother to listen to her. Instead she stopped completely, turning on the much larger Eight with a fierce, savage growl practically pouring from her lethal mouth. Her eyes darted over his armored body, resting momentarily on the pulse beating deliciously in his throat. The sound of his blood whooshing through his veins was enough to make her pupils dilate. Normal speech eluded her so instead she barked at him, her intent clear. Leave! Mine!” the bark seemed to say. He didn’t leave and her fury built, until finally the dam gave way. With a feral screech she launched herself at him, her dangerous talons grasping for any thing to hold on to while her gaping jaw searched for highly edible flesh.
topsail
even an army of sheep should be feared, if they are being led by the lion