For all his talk of being okay in my absence, I could tell Olezhka was happy to see us return. I went straight for his enclosure, barely registering the exchange between Imogen and the zookeepers as she bought us new tickets.

"We're back." I thought to Olezhka.

He purred, and even separated by the glass I could feel the low rumble in my own chest. "That is good. Have you brought more witches?"

"No," I hesitated. "The Maples weren't very helpful."

"They have hurt us." ...