CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I crept away from the fire and over to the cave. Nothing stirred save for the faint flicker of the candle. I pulled the curtains open just slightly and peeked into the small room. The candle sat on a block of wood beside the bed. Dakin had created a nest out of his own sheets, and nestled in the center lay Qita. The cat wasn’t in the typical ball but was stretched out on his side with a blanket laid over him up to his shoulders.
“You’re letting a draft in.” The voice was weak but still held that bite that so characterized the cat.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized as I slipped inside. “I was just wondering how you were doing.”
The cat opened his eyes and their shine had lost some of its luster. “I feel as if a herd of qasi had run me over.”
I eased into the seat bes
