That’s fine by me.

I hurry inside, putting away the soup, before returning.

I can feel my animal inside, preening, wanting to be released. It’s not easy to shift when you haven’t done it for years, and it takes me a few minutes to try and connect to my animal in that way.

But the change doesn’t wash over me, and a frustrated dismay fills me. I stare at my hands, my heart sinking, “I can’t do it. I don’t know how.”

Ray glances back at Lexion, who is watching me. His face is ...