No matter how he leaped and yowled, not a single one noticed the tiny kitten down in the alley. Phoenix howled in frustration, too upset to care that it came out as an ungodly caterwaul.
But there was still Raya.
So what if she’d told him to go away. He’d been acting like a maniac, swooping in on her in front of the other witches like that. Surely she’d forgive him. And turn him into himself again.
Phoenix ran as fast as a cat could run.
By the time he got to Raya’s hotel, the sun beamed down from the high angle of midmorning.
If—no, when—he got his wings back, he’d never set foot on the ground again if he could help it.
He crept closer to the hotel entrance, hoping to intercept Raya on her way out. He settled on his stomach like a Sphinx to watch the door.
Absorbed in his sentry duties, he didn’t notice the footsteps behind him until it was too late.
Firm but gentle hands scooped Phoenix from the ground. “Es-tuperdu?” He repeated the question in English. “Are you lost?”
Phoenix considered slashing the man’s face and running for it, then thought better of it. This man, if he recalled correctly, worked inside the hotel. Perhaps this would be an improvement on watching the door.
Phoenix purred and nuzzled the man’s hand.
“You have a collar. Someone must be looking for you.”
Phoenix mewled.
“Poor thing! You are all alone in this world.” He cradled Phoenix in the crook of his arm and scratched his head.
Phoenix purred some more and hoped no one ever heard about this. Ever.
“Do you want some milk?”
No, he did not. But he would pretend he did if it got him closer to liberation. He extended a tiny, pink cat tongue and delicately licked the man’s hand.
He chuckled. “Come on, then.” He carried Phoenix into the hotel lobby. “Where can we put you?”
“Ahmed! There you are.” Raya ran down the last few stairs and approached the man holding Phoenix. “I was wondering if you could help me.”
“Of course. Let me find somewhere to put my new friend for the moment, yes?”
“Do you want me to hold him? I love animals.”
Clearly, Raya didn’t recognize him.
Phoenix stared at Raya’s face, so open and loving in contrast to her usual demeanor with humans. Or demons. This side of her he’d seen only with her dog, Blaze, back at home.
“That would be very helpful. Give me just a moment to get a place set up for him.” Ahmed carefully handed him to Raya.
“Oh, isn’t he a precious baby.” She scratched under his chin and petted his silky head.
This was getting a little out of hand. He meowed in protest.
Raya changed the position in which she was holding him. “Are you a little prince? A little prince who doesn’t like his little kitty head scratched?”
Her lilting baby talk was insulting but strangely soothing. It had been a long night. Phoenix gave up protesting and nestled in her arms.
“Attaboy,” she murmured, smoothing the fur down his back.
Just as Phoenix got used to lolling in Raya’s embrace, Ahmed returned.
