Clear as day Hawk could see the demons standing on the boardwalk, far back on the shore. One was a slim black jackal; another a huge white wolf the size of a pony; and the third was wolflike but stood up on his hind legs. They all stood stock still, as far as Hawk could see, backed up against the sea wall. A ring of black-clad figures holding riot shields surrounded them, clustered around black vans and burning police cars and one very large tank.

"This is the latest in a string of incidents involving highly aggressive demons and spirits," the radio gargled, "which have triggered violent uprisings across the lower Archipelago."

Hawk watched, expecting one side to move--for the demons to attack, or for the soldiers to start shooting. But no one moved. He shifted as the radio droned on at his side.

"They don't look real aggressive," he observed to no one. "They just kinda look...cornered."

He swallowed a mouthful of bread, too busy watching the standoff to notice the black stoat scrambling up the piling beside him. It hoisted itself to the top of the piling and sat for a moment, small ears erect, white headlight eyes glowing. It watched the standoff too for a moment, then turned and hopped off the piling, saying casually, "I reckon now is a good time t' leave the country."

Hawk jumped, nearly choking on the last of the bread.