He chitters softly, head tilting, and for no good reason at all, my chest tightens. He’s survived winters, floods, predators, and my terrible temper just fine—but the thought of leaving him unsettles me more than it should.
“Gremlin,” I add, quieter, like the name slipped out on its own.
Elias makes a small sound, appearing at the cave mouth. I turn just in time to see him grinning, clearly having caught that.
“Did you just give the squirrel a name?” he asks, delighted.
“No,” I say immediately.
“You absolutely did.”
“It’s not aname,” I argue. “It’s a description.”
Elias laughs, warm and fond, the sound hitting me right behind the ribs. “Uh-huh. Sure. You tell Gremlin I’ll organize the rangers to keep an eye on him while we’re gone.”
The squirrel chitters again, smug as hell, and I scowl at both of them. I grumble, “He doesn’t need babysitting.”
Elias’s smile softens. “You’re really bad at pretending you don’t care, you know that?”
A message alert saves me from responding.
“Oh, I’ll head back outside and give you some privacy while you do your work. I’ll see if Gremlin wants to join me.”
I nod, grateful that he’s stepping away. I don’t really want to talk about him in the group while he’s a couple of feet away.
As soon as he’s gone—Gremlinimmediately following—I sigh and stare at my console.
BigFootBoone [admin]:I will be bringing a human companion to the Solstice this year.
I hold my breath. Maybe the Network will behave with restraint.
They do not.
The console immediately erupts with pings, vibrating across my makeshift desk like an angry metal cricket.
Howl4U [admin]: A HUMAN? Explain immediately.
BrayWatch: Why?
Howl4U [admin]: Is this a joke? Please confirm.
BrayWatch: Do you trust him?
Calder skipped right past the surprise and went straight to the practical concerns. I should have expected that.
Then, as expected:
MothAkai: OMG OMG OMG! BOOOOONE HAS A FRIEEEEEND!
MothAkai removed by admin.
MothAkai rejoined.
MothAkai: Is he cute? It is a male human, right? TELL ME EVERYTHING! Is this a date?
I pinch the bridge of my nose and begin typing:
BigFootBoone [admin]: He’s a scientist and has been helpful. He also understands discretion. He won’t compromise our safety or secrecy.
