He senses the clawing and scratching, the desperate attempts at a struggle - like rats trying to escape a larger predator - but his grip doesn't waver, even when a few slight points of contact are made.

"She belongs to no one but herself," he snaps back harshly. "And she is under the watch of the Great Lady, as well as myself. I am The Seeing One," he adds, using the 'title' of sorts he received when he last walked with Death. "You will not claim her."

The 'freak' comment does bring with it a sting, which in turn causes Skellig to tighten his grip. He pushes them further into the alley, until they are as far as they can go.

"What is the reason you would try to claim her?"