I don't recall the remainder of the ride in the hansom, passing out from sheer weariness to the sound of Thad humming softly while she continued to stroke my fur. For the first time since my old life was taken from me, I felt secure enough to rest and woke, I wasn't sure how much later, from a deep and dreamless sleep.

My ears swiveled first as I came to myself, picking up subtle sounds below me, voices, laughter, as my eyes cracked open. A rapid examination of the room told ...