I raced to the entryway and peered through one of the front windows.
Laina’s truck. She’d come.
Traig appeared in the doorway from the other hallway. “Who’s here?”
Sofia leaped off the counter and flew over to flutter in front of the door.
It opened, and Laina stepped inside.
She saw me and smiled. “Hi. I came to check on Cooper.”
Sofia landed on Laina’s shoulder, her small wings quivering. She nestled into Laina’s neck.
Laina’s smile widened, and she lifted one hand to stroke Sofia’s spine. “Hey, sweet girl. Did you miss me?”
Sofia trilled.
Laina wore a light green jacket, and she’d pulled her dark hair back in a knot at her nape. Sofia’s wings fluttered as Laina spoke to her.
Her eyes found mine. “Is now a bad time?”
Behind me, Drogar whispered. “I knew it.”
CHAPTER FOUR
LAINA
I’d left the clinic early today. My partner had everything in hand, and she’d tried to corner me about the legal paperwork she’d laid on my desk.
One of the few tangible things still connecting me to my dad. It was going to be hard to let it go. He wouldn’t have agreed with the partner’s plans for the clinic. He would’ve fought the expansion, and I’d done so in his place, though my battle had mostly consisted of avoidance.
As I drove out to the rescue league, I told myself I was checking on Cooper. Professional follow-up. I’d said I would.
I didn’t examine why I’d stopped at my cottage and changed clothes three times before climbing back inside Bertha.
I punched the code into the gate, and it swung open with that same low groan. When I pulled through and it latched behind me, the tangle in my chest settled. It felt right to come here today.
The road looked different in daylight. Still wild and bordered by a high fence, but the creatures I’d only glimpsed in headlights were visible now. A bloomback grazed near the tree line, flowers along its spine shifting colors as I passed. A small, bright orange creature darted across the road ahead. A mossnibble, maybe,or an emberkit like Sofia. It disappeared into the underbrush before I could be sure.
I slowed Bertha to a crawl, watching.
This could be my job. Caring for these creatures. Coming to this place every single day.
I hadn’t let myself think about it too hard since I’d driven away. If I thought about it, I’d have to recognize what I was giving up. The clinic Dad had built with his partner. The routine I’d maintained since he died.
My life worked because it was predictable and safe.
But I’d spent part of my morning pulling up research articles on orc kingdom creatures. Texting questions to Dr. Halstead about interspecies treatment protocols. Rereading the field guide. And making lists of equipment I’d need, medications to stock, and books to order.
In my heart, I’d already left. I just hadn’t moved my things out of the clinic yet.
The facility appeared around the curve.
My pulse did something that had no business happening over a professional visit.
I parked Bertha out front and didn’t bother with the step stool, jumping down, my boots hitting damp ground.
Inside the main building, I came to a halt.
