When Mikal moved to stand behind me, I stuck an arm out to protect her. After all, I wouldn't be able to handle anything happening to her and that alone was enough for me trust trained instinct, even though it came from the kind of life where questionable wardrobe choices were a requirement. Unfortunately, I had left all of my weapons back at the hut. Walking around armed had seemed like an invitation for oglers.

"It can't be a dinosaur," I assured her in a low voice. "But that's not to say it couldn't be something else."