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The last remark is strange to receive from Kiama, who maintains the smile that should be her trademark. But this time, she doesn’t share the disposition with her eyes. I don’t hide the observation from my own demeanor.
“Well, I’m thankful to you both for doing so,” I offer. “As you’re already aware, Kara wasmydiamond first. But while we’re here and she’s busy getting enlightened, I’d be happy to help wherever the rest of you may need it.”
Kiama’s back to her charismatic smirk. “Now don’t you see?” she murmurs to her friend. “Iknewwe’d like him.”
Liseli giggles. “You definitely said that.” And then nods my direction. “But I’ll like you even better if that offer extends to helping with animal feedings.”
“Absolutely.” I surge to my feet, newly energized.Make me useful, please.
The farmhouse next to the animal enclosures is homier than I expected. “Do you live here?” I ask Liseli after we cross the wide porch and enter what looks like a main sitting room. The couches are overstuffed leather, the rugs are intricately braided, and colorful baskets and bowls are tucked into alcoves between the stucco walls and exposed beam ceilings.
“Sometimes,” the witch answers. “There’s a small bedroom past the kitchen. If one of the animals is having a rough go, either Kiama or I will sleep in there to keep watch.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Not with most of the regular beasties in the yard and paddock. But the familiars are, for obvious reasons, different. Even if one of them has been out to the realms with us and anything intense has ensued, the shift in their energy carries an impact on the others.”
“Another reason why we are all schooled in proper control of our powers,” Kiama says. “But sometimes we’re called to do unexpected things, and—”
“Sometimes?” Liseli murmurs.
“Mosttimes,” Kiama amends. “Nobody wants to watch their familiar suffer. But we can’t always help that consequence.”
“And they probably know that.” My comfort sounds shallow, an intention I wasn’t going for. “I mean that. Animals sense more than we think they do.”
Liseli huffs. “You know that sounds odd from a downtown LA native, right?”
“Of course.” I jam my hands into my back pockets. “But growing up, only my jungle was concrete. My imagination wasn’t. If anything, I was even more fascinated by animals—especially afterThe Wind in the Willows,The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and that series about the feral cats who were always at war.”
Liseli pumps a fist but wiggles it like a cat paw. “I devoured that series. The ones about the dogs and the bears too.”
Kiama doesn’t join our commiseration. I step over upon observing the new tension across her slender face.
“What’s wrong?” I prompt. “Isyourfamiliar all right?”
She nods but tugs at the side of her neck. Once again, I observe a faint outline of iridescent energy brimming between her fingers. “For the time being, yes. But Cally isn’t a young tiger anymore, and the constant spellcasting this week has worn us both.” As her hand slips down, the unique glow persists in tiny threads across her palm. As soon as she wiggles her fingers, the light attempts to shoot up into them. The effect is alarmingly fleeting. “Right now, I couldn’t even use these to heal a fly.”
Still, I jack up my eyebrows. “You have the power of healing, along with your other abilities?”
She smiles and nods. “Think of magic making like music or food making. Or even teaching. Are you an instructor for only one kind of literature?”
“Hmm. For being tired, you two are on intellectual fire,” I return.
After Liseli bows to acknowledge my praise, she steps over and pulls Kiama into a hug. “Your big boy is going to be just fine, dear. I promise. And itwasan intense week, but worth it. Consider what we accomplished! A brand-new home for our two new friends.”
“Who are both really grateful for your hard work,” I add.
Kiama casts a stare at me from over her friend’s shoulder. “You truly like it?”
“Did you think we wouldn’t?” I use verbal bold type on the words only because she’s so unsure. “Seriously, as my buddy Jesse would say, it’s the cat’s meow.”
At once I’m wincing. Kiama reacts with a light laugh.
“I’m sure Cally would give your humor two paws up.”
Liseli tugs at one of Kiama’s elbows. “Why don’t we go ask her for ourselves?”
I grin. “Lead the way.”
