Rather than a deep dive into shifter lore, to the extent it was understood by outsiders at all, Julius goes for the simple answer.

"Scratch or a bite from an attack you survive. There's some debate as to whether the skin has to be broken, though frankly I'd prefer not to find out firsthand."

He exhales. "The salt barrier should slow it down and the glyph should, in theory, clear its mind but I'd appreciate it if you shot the thing in case it looks like it wants to maul either of us. There's not a known cure."