I'd seen Dad angry, beside himself, in an animal-like rage fed by power. But I've never seen him so full of fury he couldn't speak.

Sassy did it for him.

"You trapped the girls here on purpose." He growled a soft whine, ears flat, tail thrashing against me. "Took their hope, forced them to fight. Ahbi, that's despicable, even for you."

I sat back, not really all that surprised, to be honest, as I met Dad's eyes. "Can you please tell me," I said, amazed at how ...