Laina glanced at me, her mouth twitching. “You have a nice smile.”
“I do?” I half-barked, my ears now piping hot.
My friends exchanged looks.
Drogar’s grin widened. “Yes, his smile isnice. That’s the word for it.”
Traig looked up from his tablet. “Leave him alone.”
“Why? This is the most interesting thing that’s happened since we decided to build this place.”
Laina took another bite of her food, her shoulders shaking.
I focused on my plate and tried to ignore the fact that everyone in this room could see exactly what I’d been trying not to notice.
After lunch, Laina examined a series of creatures in need of her care. I watched for a bit but then had to get to work myself.
It was only late in the day that I found her again.
“I’ll be leaving soon,” she said. “Are there any more creatures in need of a vet?”
“If you completed Traig’s list, then no.”
“That’s good.” She swiped her hand across her brow. “I want to keep busy, but it’s nice that there aren’t any others with injuries or sickness.”
“Let’s walk,” I said, nudging my head toward the back door.
We went outside and strolled past the enclosures, stopping beside the pen holding our driftwhisp population, a large netted space filled with floating plants emitting soft light in blues and greens. Seven driftwhisps lived here, their black feathers and silver tendrils catching the glow as they flew through the air.
“They’re beautiful,” Laina said. “I’ve never seen anything like them except, perhaps butterflies.”
“These are a kind of bird. They have hollow bones.”
“So not a butterfly.”
“Not quite, though I can see the resemblance.” I pointed. “Steven is my favorite. He’s been here longest, and he always comes to me first during feeding times.”
I stepped inside and held out my hand.
Steven flew straight past me, landing on Laina’s outstretched palm.
I stood there with my hand still extended, empty, while Steven settled onto her palm like he’d been waiting for her all along.
He hadn’t done that with anyone else in the time he’d been here.
Laina laughed, lifting her palm to smile at the creature. “Well, hello there, little one.”
The driftwhisp nuzzled her fingers.
Sofia gave the driftwhisp what I’d swear was a sour look.
“What do I do with him?” Laina asked, looking up at me through her incredibly long eyelashes.
“Let him settle first,” I said. “Then stroke his head. He likes that.”
She did, and Steven’s tendrils brightened, glowing silver.
“Is this okay?” she asked softly.
