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“And?” Charlie prompted. “What’s her last name? Address?”
No one replied to him. Savida shuffled uncomfortably, as though even that brief silence was too much for him.
“So, all you have is a first name, and you hope I can fucking find someone with that?” Charlie ran a frustrated hand through his hair and sighed. “If all we have is a first name, we haven’t got a hope in hell of finding her my way. You have magic. Can’t you find her?”
Daithi raised a green brow. “My premonitions are not so reliable that I can search for such information.”
“But reliable enough to come asking for my help?”
Daithi looked unmoved by Charlie’s teasing. “I have faith she is near and that we will find her. My visions always come true.”
“If you say so.” Charlie stood up. “Can you see if a cat will be joining us for lunch? I’m starved and don’t want to share.”
Rude.
“What is a cat?” Savida asked, resting both elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, the picture of interest.
Charlie grinned at Savida. “I’ll show you Clawdia the cat later. She turns up at my house when her owner is out. She lives next door.” Savida’s wings fluttered, and he grinned widely at Charlie’s announcement.
Zaide’s voice growled from above me, “Owner? She is a slave?”
I decided there and then that he was my favorite of Charlie’s guests. He sounded so concerned that someone locked me away next door. As though he would charge over and rescue me if Charlie told him I was. Swoon.
Charlie shook his head. “She’s a cat. A domesticated animal. A pet. She can’t survive on her own without her owner. There’s no need for your muscles right now, He-Man. When she turns up, you can see her and know that she’s treated well.” He took a breath and turned to Daithi. “I’m starving. Anybody fancy something to eat?”
“You do not look starved,” Zaide pointed out.
“What can we eat?” Savida asked.
“Well, come into the kitchen, and I’ll show you.”
Savida bounced up from the sofa, and his wings seemed to vibrate as he raced to catch up with Charlie. Daithi stood gracefully and also moved to the kitchen. Zaide sighed, and his braid dragged away from me as he heaved himself from the chair. I found I liked the back of him as much as I liked the front as I watched his braid swing around broad shoulders, a sculpted backside, and powerful legs. And with his absence, so too went those pleasant feelings of safety, calm and joy.
I had taken a step to follow him before I realized what I was doing. Huffing out a breath, I tried to dispel the strange emotions, the lust and the urges. I was a cat. A familiar. Feelings like that would not help me. It was enough that I liked Charlie. I didn’t need feelings for a titan.
I stayed hidden under the chair for a while longer. Sounds of cupboards opening and closing and pots and pans clanging echoed out from the kitchen while I debated following them in and letting Charlie introduce me. I was sure they would be very interested and curious, and I would love the attention. But something held me back. I needed to think.
Charlie’s guests weren’t human; they were looking for a human. A Margaret. It was big news, and I wanted to share it with my witch, who I knew would love to hear the whole exciting tale.
Creeping out from under the chair, I darted upstairs to Charlie’s bedroom, jumped out the window and, after skillfully hopping from the roof to the fence, plopped down on the grass outside my home.
* * *
I didn’t getto tell Winnie until she returned later that evening. I’d eaten some of the food she’d left out and watched another episode ofCall the Midwifewhile waiting for her. It reminded me of the good parts of my past life.
To my disappointment, Mary came back with her.
“Hi, Clawd. How were Charlie’s visitors? Were they nice to you?” Winnie greeted and sat on the sofa next to me, while Mary continued straight into the kitchen.
It was certainly eventful.How was your day?I knew she wouldn’t tell me since she was keeping secrets now, but I gave her the chance to tell me every day, just in case.
“Oh, you know, same as always.”
Mary came and sat next to Winnie, putting an arm around her shoulders. She’d just poured herself a glass of wine but didn’t offer one to Winnie, despite it being her wine. “I hate when you two talk. I can’t hear what the cat is saying, Win. Translate.”
“You weren’t here a second ago. I’m not going to shout everything Clawdia has to say.”
“I’m just saying it’s rude. Like whispering.”
