I MUST HAVE DOZED OFF because I jerked awake when Loushka's voice popped into my mind.

'Cat! What are you doing here? Are you okay?' the griffon sounded astonished to see me.

Not surprising I guess, but I wished everyone would stop asking me if I was okay. In my current state it brought on tears. I took a couple of ragged breaths before I could answer her. The other griffons regarded me curiously.

'Come on outside and we can talk,' Loushka's voice sounded kind, ...