Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Really?” Bouncing back to me, he was holding up a brown costume that had a lighter-colored stomach. “Did he say where he was from?”
“California.” He didn’t seem to believe that any more than Wren did, but he didn’t say it in words. “He was looking for work and helped me with some stocking issue for a couple of days before he decided to keep going. He said he was going to have fun exploring new lands.”
“Fuck.”
Wren’s concise description had me mentally sighing.
“I agree in this case, my mate.”
It took him a few seconds to understand the problem and my tone.
“Oops. Sorry, Daddy.”
“That’s alright. You were startled.”
And smart enough to understand the problem of his language quickly.
“Exploring is always fun. Hopefully it was one of our more cheerful people. Some are…grumpy.” Shaking my head as Wren laughed got a smile from the almost-human. “Following the rules and laws is always important but so is not making everyone want to shake you.”
It was a mix of expressions I had heard from a very grumpy mage, so I was glad when it got another more genuine smile from our interrogator.
Wren’s mental snicker and the way he didn’t disagree with me said he agreed.
“Like Klynn.” Shaking his head, Wren looked a bit like a parent getting ready to tell a story about their child. “He’s so grumpy but he’s incredibly smart and loves romance novels. We were on our way to the bookstore for a present for him when I got distracted by the costumes.”
Klynn had made one short trip into town, possibly because of curiosity, but the first person he met was a diner man, so he’d gone back to camp and had refused to come into town.
Holding up his prize, Wren focused on me to give the store owner time to think. “I’m gonna be a squirrel, Daddy.”
For some reason, that alone made the human-plus man more comfortable.
The people of Earth were curious creatures.
Again…my mate could not disagree.
“What costume do you think your friend would like?” His open expression seemed to indicate we had been moved into a safe in some way category, but I didn’t understand it.
Wren may have because his smile widened. “What kind of animal would a vampire seduce?”
Yes…Earthlings were very interesting and my people had assimilated completely.
“Good job, Daddy. That was the right word. See? I told you Star Trek would be helpful.”
I needed to work on turning down our bond before I thought something that might be considered rude.
We survived our shopping trip without me frustrating my mate, however, and without fully answering any of the questions we received from the store workers and owners.
“That was exhausting.” My Wren flopped down on the bed, arms and legs spread as he draped himself in his costume. “I’m too tired to even dragon. I’m gonna squirrel.”
“Do those animals live quiet lifestyles?” Weren’t we talking about the small angry creatures that ran through the trees?
“Being in a human shape is hardest…dragons are easier because they’re rumbly and get to stretch out and fly…squirrels are the least thinky and just get to run around.” Wren’s answer was information but I wasn’t sure it was helpful.
“Is that a diner man explanation?” My response had him laughing so hard he nearly rolled off the bed. Catching him was easy and required frowning to make sure he understood limits regarding danger. “Safety, my mate, or no squirrel time.”
Hmm.
“Is there a Team Squirrel?” Was that what he meant when he talked about being so tired he was going to squirrel? “I don’t know how to feed or give attention to one of those animals.”
Wren sat up, frowning as he studied his costume. “Um, I think they eat nuts and things like that. I don’t know what else they eat or do.”
Was it good we were both starting with minimal information?
“Little is being who you are.” That sentence needed work. “Are you a squirrel too?”
I wasn’t sure I was ready to chase him through the woods…he was fast and easily excited.
“Let’s see.” Holding out his arms, he gave me the take care of me look that came with being little.
Understanding that meant I was supposed to help him, I came over and took off his shirt. “We will have to discuss safety if you become a squirrel.”
Humans had strange ways of keeping people safe, but I wasn’t sure which would help. I wasn’t even sure what magic would keep him safe as a squirrel.
“Daddy.” Wren giggled and flopped back on the bed as I knelt down to remove his shoes. “Squirrels don’t wear backpack leashes.”
“It kept the fast-moving young child safe in the parking lot.” I shrugged as he giggled. “Humans restrain a variety of young children and animals.”
Combining the two types of restraints when he was a human-looking squirrel seemed logical. “Can squirrels be taught to use verbal communication? I think I overheard the diner men discussing Team Pony communication.”