art was pounding in her chest. This was not how she anticipated her day going, but she als

ered on signs and billboards throughout Munford. His slightly crooked nose gave him character, and his hazel eyes spark

rtin whispered sharply, breaking Phu

ocusing on the dirt stains on her thrift-store t-shirt and cutoff

leeting golden glow on Phuro. The emerald scales on her skin glimmered, caus

low growl behind Phuro. "You have to leave," he ordered,

o him. His eyes remained fixed on Phuro, with fear and fascination evident on his face. It was clear

man barked, his ton

n responded, quickly wipin

clearly directing his words at Phu

stone slipped out of his pocket and landed on the ground with a muted thump. The doctor's footsteps, crunching th

he burly man declared before his footstep

ly in her grasp. One side was etched with peculiar symbols that felt both known and foreign to her, but they stopped abruptly. O

Phuro thought, deciding it was wiser to step back i

*

icircle around the cave entrance carved into the rocky hillside. Phuro could navigate her way back here even with her eyes s

hut nearest Phuro, he asked

the teasing tone in Ninded's voice. "It was just like any other w

ut of course," she said, her tone dri

esture of placing her hand on her hip, which she had observed humans do c

. His piercing yellow eyes narrowed as

she repli

where she was going and what needed to be done. The only N'kara who could deciphe

e to lose their natural hair color, which usually varied from a rich chestnut to a deep

r lineage, either out of resentment or mere forgetfulness. But there was one among them who devoted themselves to keeping the history of their pe

ce childhood. The elderly N'kara protected and guided Phuro

ce said to her, "Don't let those cra

further and further into the chilly depths. Mithi had been isolated in the

choed from within her cramped quarters. "I was starti

nfidently turning the corner into Mithi's room. "I realize I've b

ps to deepen. "I'll make an exception this time," the knowl

on a concealed cave, and one dropped this. It bears unusual markings. They feel familiar, but I can'

whispered with a hint of c