“Ssssss!” she hissed, baring her teeth and beetling her thick eyebrows menacingly. The bright eyes rounded slightly, but with increased curiosity rather than alarm.
“Were you crying?” asked one boy candidly.
“Are you a witch?” demanded the other.
Kelpie considered. It wasn’t in the least safe to be thought a witch. It could lead to all sorts of uncomfortable and fatal things. On the other hand, she had never known real safety in any case, and it would be pleasant to impress, or even frighten, these complacent lads.
“I am so,” she said with an intimidating scowl. “I can put curses on ye, or the Evil Eye whatever.”
They were unintimidated. “Show us!” suggested one hopefully.
“Alex was saying you cannot,” challenged the other.
“Och, just you wait!” said Kelpie darkly. “I will be fixing that Alex as ever was!”
“What will you do to him?” persisted the skeptic with morbid curiosity.
“What is your name?” asked his twin.