“Morning,” Krem said, setting the mugs down on the counter. “Brovish, three adoption applications came in during the night hours. All for mossnibbles. I believe Drogar’s media-of-the-social video is working as intended. Also, someone called about the bloomback we have listed, but they wanted to know if it would survive in an apartment, which I said is unlikely, but that I’d confirm this with you.” He paused, glancing toward the counter. “Why is Sofia behaving strangely? She’s guarding the door.”
“See?” Drogar said, shooting Traig a smug look. “Guarding.”
“She doesn’t guard.” Krem looked at Traig. “She never has.”
Greth stepped into view. He was the tallest of us all, broad shouldered and careful in his movements. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, people listened. He leaned against the doorframe and studied us with dark, steady eyes.
“Morning,” I said.
He nodded.
“So,” Drogar said, leaning forward to stroke Sofia, who preened. “What happened in the night hours?”
“I found a clatterwing near the eastern fence. It couldn’t fly. I called a veterinarian.”
“The usual one?” Traig asked.
“No. He’s traveling. I called someone else.”
“And this someone—were they pleasing to look at?” Drogar asked.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because you’re acting…evasor. I think that’s the word.”
“Evasive,” Traig said.
I didn’t say a thing.
Drogar’s grin widened. “Look at Brovish’s face. Theywerepleasing.”
“I didn’t notice,” I said.
“You’re very bad at lying,” Drogar said. “Do they have a mate?”
“I didn’t ask her that.”
“Her,” Drogar breathed, his eyes sparkling. “Did you offer her the correct greeting? You have her phone digits because you called her. Will you call her again?”
“This was professional contact.”
“Professional,” Traig repeated, his tone giving nothing away.
“She came for an emergency. She did her job. That’s all.”
“Sothat’swhy you alphabetized everything,” Traig said.
Heat crept up my neck. “It’s more efficient.”
“You group by frequency of use.” He frowned my way. “This is your system. You’ve explained it to me at least four times. What was different about last night?”
“The veterinarian was very organized,” I said.
Greth pushed off the doorframe and walked closer. “She came in the night. In the rain. For a creature she’d never seen before.”
I nodded.
“And she stayed until the work was finished.”
