Page 104 of Seer

“Sure,” Steve said easily, as if he ordered food for Ouija-bearing, panther-shaped magical beings all the time. “Meat lovers?”

They curled their lip.C-H-E-E-S-E.

“Got it.” He pressed his finger to his phone a few times, then clicked it off with a flourish. “It’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

When Cal was ready to stand up, we relocated to the couch, with Steve and Felix taking the chairs to either side. Ms. Jackson prowled around the apartment, exploring.

When they disappeared into Cal’s office, Steve pointed and hissed, “What’s her deal?”

Cal leaned his head against my shoulder. “Their. Greg will tell you. I’m too tired.”

“Uh, when we went to TWIST, we went through a bunch of old books to see if we could find anything about who’s killing the Wonders. Ms. Jackson was in the book room, but they were only able to take the form of inanimate objects.” I shrugged, lifting my hand, palm up. “I think everyone who knew what they were either left, died, or just forgot, so they were moldering in that room for decades.” I grimaced, wishing I’d known they were in there when I was a kid.

Ms. Jackson came back and hopped gracefully onto the coffee table.

I gestured at their chest. “Up til now they were able to communicate with us by changing into a Ouija board, but this form is completely new.”

I-L-I-K-E-W-A-L-K-I-N-Gthey spelled out.T-H-A-N-K-Y-O-U-C-A-L.

“You’re welcome. If I’d known that was possible, I would’ve done it sooner.” He must’ve felt my reaction because headded, “With Greg’s help of course. That way I might not have passed out.”

I checked his magic levels. He was staying steady at around halfway replenished, and I was about the same. Food would help, and we’d be fine by morning.

Cal asked, “Uh, Ms. Jackson, can you still change forms? Or is this the new you now?”

They cocked their head, then only a Ouija board was in their place. But instead of the Ouija board we’d seen for the past few days, this board was easily four times its size, hanging over the sides of the coffee table. In an instant, the panther was back.

They spelled outW-I-L-L-H-A-V-E-T-O-P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E-O-T-H-E-R-L-I-V-I-N-G-S-H-A-P-E-S.

When the food came, Felix put a slice of cheese pizza on a plate and cut it up for Ms. Jackson. They sniffed at it, licked once, then purred.

Felix said, “Pick up one piece, chew it with your back teeth, then swallow. Uh, that part should be instinctive? I hope.”

Ms. Jackson gave him a skeptical look but put their face back to the plate and delicately picked up one of the pieces of pizza. We all watched raptly as they chewed. And chewed. And chewed. They looked around at us rather desperately.

Steve said, “Uh, swallowing is like... you put your tongue against the roof of your mouth and kind of contract your throat?”

Ms. Jackson squeezed their eyes shut and made a gulping sound. Their eyes popped open, and they gave us a smug cat smile. We all cheered.

We finished our dinner. Steve and I stayed quiet while Felix and Cal had a rather uncomfortable discussion with Ms. Jackson about what to do if they turned out to have a regular panther’s digestive tract. At least they were smart enough to navigate the bathroom. Taking a panther for a walk outside would be problematic.

Cal perked up a little after eating. The four of us played some video games, though I was hopelessly outclassed by the other three.

Cal started yawning around 8:30pm, so Steve and Felix politely left us to ourselves.

“I’m staying,” I told Cal, as if it wasn’t obvious by my sitting right where I was while he escorted the others to the door.

“Okay.” He flopped onto the couch next to me. I pulled him down so his head was in my lap.

“Take a little nap. I’ll check Discord and see how badly everyone is freaking out over your post from earlier.”

“M’kay.” He shut his eyes, and I smoothed back his hair. The connection told me he was exhausted but happy.

I looked over at Ms. Jackson, who was trying out one of the gaming chairs. They’d gotten it to recline almost all the way back. They flashed I-S-C-A-L-O-K-A-Y.

I nodded. “He needs to rest,” I whispered.

My phone chimed with a text. Edgar had messaged me and Cal.