I didn't say premier for no reason, Erik thinks to himself smugly. His hand on Edgar's leg squeezes in response as if to say 'I heard that.' He likes the challenge he hears in it, too. Sounds like he should rise to it.

Or, maybe rise isn't the best way to describe it when the actual action is to swallow Edgar down the back of his throat so far his pointy nose is pressed tight to Edgar's belly. Seconds tick by but he doesn't pull back. He does, however, begin to flex his throat in swallowing motions, all while not withdrawing a single centimeter. Can a human do that?