Erica was bubbling with excitement to see Jazzy again, so unexpectedly, or she was until about half way back to their camp site. She was walking, one arm still around the little albino girl when she saw Myrna. An awkward blush flushed across Erica's face as Myrna's face fell.

"Umm, Jazzy," Erica said, her voice funny in her own ears. "This is Myrna. We've been...talking."

Myrna did not contradict her, though the two had done far more than talk. She bowed her head.

"Myrna, this is Jazzy. She's a Skinwalker."

Myrna stared at Jazzy. Jazzy looked back and forth between Myrna and Erica, clearly guessing there was something going on.

"She's so...white. I thought Skinwalkers were indians."

"Native American," Erica corrected. "Jazzy is an albino. She doesn't produce pigment."

"Among the east coast tribes, babes with imperfections are left in the woods to die, not raised."

"It's not an imperfection," Moth snarled at her.

Myrna blanched and stared at the ground, intimidated. Then again so many things intimidated her. Erica's heart ached every time she did that. She wanted to protect Myrna. She probably would have too, except that Jazzy was right there watching her. And Moth was right. It wasn't an imperfection.

"Jazzy is the white wolf," she said instead, touching Myrna's shoulder in comfort. "Sacred among her people."

"And they didn't leave Haltir out to die," Amanda remarked. She gave Jazzy a big hug to greet her and shot Myrna a look, as though underscoring where she stood on that issue. Erica blushed even deeper.

"His father wanted to. His mother forbade it," Myrna said, her voice low and sulking.

"But it shows that not all follow the customs. You can choose otherwise. We don't all have to make the same mistakes our parents made."

When introductions had been made all around and they made plans for supper Myrna said. "I should go, Miss... Erica." She still struggled not to add mistress. "You will want to spend time with your white friend."

"No, it's okay. Stay," Erica answered automatically.

"I would rather eat by myself tonight anyway," Myrna replied, her voice brittle. She turned and walked off. Erica was torn. Myrna had never simply dismissed herself and walked off. She pathologically needed permission for everything. She must be really hurt to just leave. But Erica also wanted to stay with...

"White friend?" Jazzy joked. "I think that's the first time I've been described that way." They looked into each other's eyes and there was fear in Jazzy's pale gray eyes. "You can go after her if you want."

"It's not..."

"We said we wouldn't, you know. You found someone. I knew that was possible." Jazzy voice was small, brittle. It matched Erica's mood. "I said you were free." She bit her lip and looked away. "Didn't know it would..."

"Hurt?" Erica finished. Jazzy gave the smallest of nods. Erica pulled her into a hug. "It's, well it is. But it's complicated. I don't know what to do."

Jazzy buried her head in Erica's chest. "Talk then. We'll figure it out." She turned her head and stared across at Myrna's camp. "I think she's hurt too."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, either of you," Erica said.

"I can't speak for her," Jazzy said. "But I told you you were free. I thought that's what I wanted. Fuck, I think that's what I want now. But I didn't know it'd be hard. Who is she anyway?"

"Come on," Erica prompted. "Let's sit over here and talk." The last thing she needed was to have all the other wolves listening in, especially when most of the others already didn't approve of Myrna.

Erica stared at the ground and talked; Jazzy listened. When she was done, Erica raised her head and met Jazzy's eyes for the first time since she'd starting talking about Myrna.

"I can guess what the others are saying," Jazzy commented. She held Erica's eyes and it was Erica's turn to feel fear. Jazzy gave a sad smile. "You got to, don't you? It's who you are. You've got to try to save her." She shook her head. "I just hope you don't get hurt in the process. Come'on." She rose and held her hand out to Erica.

Erica rose and the two went over to Myrna's camp.