THREE DAYS LATER
"You!"
I startle awake from a lovely nap in my new tiger den. No bed ever felt more comfortable than this. I have my mate, and that is all that matters, like Lobo said.
But the voice, spoken aloud, rising through the cavern, is definitely not Lightning's. Or anyone else in the family for that matter. A visitor is here. And what of my mate? A sleepy "mrrrp" tells me Lightning is out for the count and doesn't notice the intrusion.
Blinking, I re-focus. The petite silhouette in dim light in the cave takes a moment to become solid, and when I see who it is, my shock is palpable.
Dex!
The green imp from Mrs. Threadgood's farm scratches his rear end while rubbernecking around my beautiful new den. "So this is why you don't come see us?"
I offer a little "mrrrp" in response. Imps don't have the power of telepathy with us.
[The idiot doesn't realize that you can't talk.]
