Why her heart hammered at the thought of letting him into her apartment, she didn’t know.
But there it was.
She stepped inside and he was right there with her as she came in.
“Mister Fluffikins, where are you? We have guests.”
The cat laid unmoving in a ball on her couch.
“Is that it?” Karuk asked.
“Yes. Mr. F is his own person.”
The cat twitched, raised his head, and let out a series of meows, and then put his head back down.
“That was rude,” Karuk said.
Jenny shrugged. “He’s usually a little livelier. I’m sure he’ll be more aware when I get out his food.”
“His displeasure is obvious,” Karuk said.
She shrugged. “That’s why I love him. Cats are their own person. They’re not needy for attention. They’re quite happy doing their own thing.”
The cat meowed again.
“Not him, evidently,” Karuk said.
Jenny glanced at him. “And what are you? A cat whisperer or something?” She walked over to the kitchenette area and got out some food for Mister Fluffikins.
Karuk stared at the cat and crossed his arms.
Mr. F let out a series of meows and wallows, saying all kinds of things.
“Wow, he’s really loud today,” Jenny said.
Karuk glanced at her. “Wait.” He glanced back at the cat, then back at her. “You cannot understand that?”
“Understand what?”
He shook his head. “I think my puzzle has been answered.”
She blinked.
Can he hear my cat’s thoughts?
She stared at this alien before her and wondered what else he could hear.
9
KARUK
“And another thing. She needs to let me out more. I can handle myself. Look at these claws,” the cat said. He spread his paws, revealing his natural weapons.
Which would have been impressive if he was, oh, twenty times larger.
Instead, he was a loud, talkative fluff ball that would not shut up.
“I can handle anything that comes my way.”Mr. Fluffikins flounced back and forth in front of him in an effort to look fierce and menacing.
