The hoot of an owl outside the house in the trees sliced through the silence of the night. Ulric turned his head toward the large windows of his office and stared, even though there was no way he could see the bird.
All he could see were the silhouettes of trees against the background of a dark, clear night sky full of stars. Occasionally, the form of a bird darted across the sky, adding to its beauty. His heightened hearing caught the sounds of other creatures of the night coming out of their hiding places to look for food. It was all so familiar to him.
A light breeze blew in through the open window, and then he heard the distinct sound of large wings flapping through the air and he assumed the owl was off in search of its next meal as well. Or a mate. An inaudible sigh left him with
