Page 131 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“It’s sick.”

Grievance crouched beside him.

“How does an ice dragon catch a cold?”

“I have absolutely no idea.” Milo slowly reached toward it. “But I know what sick looks like. And this little one is sick.”

Snap!

Tiny teeth closed on empty air as Milo barely pulled his hand back in time.

“Okay! Personal boundaries. Understood.”

The Glaceryn hissed.

“Easy.” Milo lowered his voice. “We’re not going to hurt you.”

Snap.

“I have food.”

Hiss.

“Warm blankets?”

Another hiss.

“I make an excellent fever reducer.”

The Glaceryn spat, and a tiny chunk of ice struck Milo directly between the eyes.

“Ow!” he said, flinching and rubbing the spot.

Grievance laughed.

Milo turned on him. “Oh, now you’re laughing?”

“She doesn’t like you.”

“Aw, thanks, I hadn’t noticed. Any suggestions?” Milo paused. “Wait. She?”

“Yes. This little one is female.” Grievance crouched, slowly extending a hand toward the poor creature, who had huddled helplessly into the corner of the barn.

She responded with another round of spitting and hissing.

Grievance withdrew his hand. “Perhaps she would trust one of her own kind.”

“Can you transform into something you’ve never been before?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never done it. But I can try.”

He crouched lower. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Milo saw his nostrils flare. Scenting her. Studying her. Learning.

Again, Grievance slowly extended one hand, moving closer this time.

The Glaceryn lunged and sank her tiny teeth into his finger, leaving a neat row of punctures that immediately welled with blood. Grievance laughed.

“Spry little thing, aren’t you?”