LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S/KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

The shapeshifter's gaze softens almost imperceptibly as it lands on Eden. Our boy, usually so boisterous, is uncharacteristically quiet, clinging to my leg.

"I see," she says, her voice losing some of its edge. "And what makes you think you'll find safety here?"

"We've heard rumors," I say cautiously, "of a neutral territory. A place where different species coexist peacefully. We hoped..." I then made up, crossing my fingers for the shapeshifter to ...