"It's okay, Lupa," Leveret called to her. "I'll come back."
That struck me as a strange thing to say. Even though I meant to return him to his family, I hadn't mentioned that out loud. Was he lying to her, or did he intend on escaping from me? Was his apparently docile nature a ruse to trick me?
My claws tightened instinctively on Leveret's arms. My plan wouldn't work if he fled early. I needed the full magical force of the pack coming to his rescue.
I had to be on my guard. This hare shifter with the dreamy eyes might not be what he seemed.
Five
Leveret
As a general rule, I don’t like change. But for some reason, I didn’t mind this.
In fact, I had a good feeling about it.
Animus... My cousins told me enough stories about him to paint a picture in my mind—stories about a “malevolent” spirit with dark hair and clothes, with horns and claws. A mysterious spirit they couldn’t get a read on because of his conflicting actions. A spirit who’d harmed and helped in equal measure.
But nobody ever told me howcutehe was.
I raised my head to look at his face. The shadowy wings on his back resembled Celeste’s, which made sense considering Animus was the one who’d blessed her with them. They flapped languidly, almost disappearing into the night sky surrounding us.
Animus wasn’t looking at me. He stared straight ahead, flying with purpose.
“I didn’t know you could fly,” I remarked.
We hadn’t spoken since leaving Lupa behind. Animus flinched. My voice seemed to take him off guard.
“I’ll bet there’s a lot you don’t know about me,” Animus said wryly.
“I don’t want to bet.”
He glanced down, his pale brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t like gambling, so I don’t want to bet.”
Animus was quiet for a moment. Then he let out a small huff. “You’re an interesting one, Leveret.”
I was unaware he knew my name. That made me smile.
Animus narrowed his icy eyes. They were a shockingly bright shade of white, like shards of the moon.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked, not unkindly.
I wasn’t sure why Animus knowing my name made me happy, so I wasn’t sure why I was smiling.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly.
Animus didn’t question me further. He raised his gaze, continuing his flight course. Meanwhile, I looked down, enjoying the scenery. Trees sped by in every shape and color, interspersed with glistening streams. The water reflected the moonlight. It all looked like an abstract human painting.
“I’ve never been up so high before,” I said.
Animus made a soft noise. I thought it was one of amusement. “Why would you? You’re a hare shifter, are you not?”
“Yes. So I can’t fly. How did you know I’m a hare?”
“I’ve picked up a piece of knowledge or two since I first met your family.”
“How?”