Martin barely heard her because he had already crouched near Angel's head and started studying the dragon turtle's suspicious behavior.
Angel refused to look at him. She lowered her head until only her eyes remained visible above the edge of her shell, then slowly turned even farther away. Beneath Martin's feet, the glowing sapphire veins began pulsing faster.
He narrowed his eyes. "Why do you look like you have a snack you don't want to share?"
Angel went completely still.
"HELP ME! I AM THAT SNACK!" the voice screamed.
Martin stared at Angel while she continued staring out at the ocean.
"The hell?" he muttered. "Angel, I know you're a dragon turtle, but you can't eat people. Come on. I'll cook you something good later."
Her cheeks puffed out, and she stubbornly shook her head.
"Angel."
She drew her head back and tried to hide inside her shell, although her enormous size made the attempt completely pointless.
"Give her back."
A low, unhappy rumble rose from her throat.
