Jillian did not come downstairs, which suited Aldair’s plans. After he had cleared the yard so they wouldn’t have to see such an overgrown jungle every time they glanced out the windows, he went back inside, glad of the rush of cool air that greeted him as soon as he entered the kitchen. Patches went over to his bowl and began gulping greedily at the water within, consuming so much of it that Aldair was compelled to refill the bowl with more water from the tap.
By that point, late afternoon had come upon them, and the sky grew darker — not because the sun would set anytime soon, but because the clouds he had been watching all day had thickened noticeably. He could feel the energy within them, the building moisture. By the time full dark came, they would probably let loose with thunder and
