The food helped keep the memories at bay, but chewing only distracted her for so long. Eventually they began to rush in again. Phoebe poked at a piece of bacon, wondering how closely it resembled her own insides. “It’s weird to have two quakes so close to each other,” she broke the silence.

“The train didn’t get hit by a quake. Apparently there was no seismic activity registered. It’s possible that it was related to, well, you got involved in a lot of shit. I’m sorry.”

Phoebe rested her head on her hand. “That man said he wanted feathers from us, but I don’t even have one.”

“Oh, you do! The feather that gives you your immortality is inside your body. That’s how it is with all fledglings. If he knows that, it means that he’s read more than just the fairy tales. But why he’d want feathers is another question; they lose their power once they’re removed from a host.” Cat’s fingers danced back and forth across the keyboard. “You said he wanted feathers from ‘us’?”

“I think he meant me and that fae.”

“Julia says it’s no fae. Something about the smell, and the way its body works- Wait.” She saw his eyes glimmer. “If he wanted it, that means it might be another fledgling- that’s incredible! Except,” he scratched at the fur on his cheek, “I wonder how we’ll handle a fledgling that’s killed people. Az already wants it dead.”