Page 28 of Gray Dawn

Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew Colby with a gentleness that warmed my heart.

“That is a moth.” Dad blinked at her and then me. “And…” A breath punched from his lungs. “Aloinnir.”

“Yes.” I angled myself in front of Asa, between Dad and Colby. “She is.”

“She’sadorable.” Mom rushed over, a streamer of blue light in her wake. “Hi, baby.”

“I’mnota baby.” Colby kept her tone polite, but her eyes cut to me. “I’m…me.”

“She can talk.” Dad blinked again. “She’s sentient.”

“She’s our granddaughter. Of course she can talk. I bet she’s a genius. She looks brilliant, doesn’t she? Look at that face!” Mom almost bounced in place. “Can I hold her?Please?”

“Rue.” Dad drew my attention when the question lingered too long. “I vow on Howl’s life not to hurt Colby today or ever. I understand why you’re afraid for her, but her life is tied to yours, isn’t it? How could you believe I would hurt you?”

“Habit.” I rubbed my nape. “Colbyisbrilliant, by the way. You don’t have to babytalk her or talk over her.”

So far, she had been tolerant, but her age and her mental acuity were sore spots for her.

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Mom held out her arm, turning her palm upright. “I’m so excited to meet you.”

After a brief pause, Colby glided over and landed, allowing Mom to look her fill.

Heart clogging my throat, I rasped, “Size up, just in case.”

In a blink, she had bumped up to cat-sized, which let me relax a fraction.

Moths were so easy to crush, to wound, even on accident. Her next size up gave her more heft and substance, making it easier for those who didn’t know her well to handle her safely.

“You control your size?” Dad’s eyes brightened as Mom shifted her grip. “Remarkable.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” I walked over and kissed Colby’s head, unable to stop myself. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I met his eyes, then Mom’s. “She saved me. From the director and…from myself.”

“You saved me too,” Colby reminded me. “I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t protected me.”

When my parents prompted me for details with matching stares, I shook my head and mouthedlater.

There was no reason not to tell them her story now, but I wouldn’t force Colby to relive that day again.

“She cast a tracking spell on Clay.” I was so proud I could pop. “Can you help us activate it?”

“I thought you would do it.” She glanced between Dad and me then fell silent. “You feel weird.”

Had she not been so stressed, she would have noticed the dissonance sooner.

“I was forced to bind her magic,” Dad admitted. “The Hunk was attempting to merge with her.”

“Are you okay?” She ditched Mom, zooming at me, knocking me back a step. “You can have my magic, if you need it.”

“I’m fine—” I ruffled her antennae, “—but thank you for the offer.”

“We would be happy to help.” Mom beamed at us. “Anything for that cutie pie.”

Dad, who was less versed in kids, softened his voice. “You thought of that all by yourself?”

“I’ve seen Rue do it a billion times.” Colby fluffed with indignation. “I’m not a baby. I’m ten years old.”

“Forgive me.” Dad inclined his head. “What other ten-year-old would have thought of it?”