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Alex wasn't examining me.

That was the difference.

He hadn't leaned closer when biomancy came up. He hadn't watched my hands. He hadn't asked for a demonstration or started picking innocent-sounding questions meant to find out exactly what I could do to a body.

He'd asked whether I could give him ridiculous extra limbs.

I lowered my hand.

He was looking at me now, still smiling.

"You've thought about giving me another thumb, haven't you?"

"No."

"That took too long."

"It didn't."

"You could put it right beside the first one."

"That would be completely useless."

"So you've considered placement."

"Alex."

He laughed harder.

Ashter came back but ignored him this time, deciding the game had run long enough. He trotted to me instead, pushed his head beneath my hand, and leaned his weight into my side until I scratched behind one pointed ear.

Alex reached over and rubbed the side of Ashter's neck.

Ashter allowed it for about three seconds before trying to catch Alex's sleeve between his teeth.

"Oi."

"He likes you."

"He's eating me."

"He hasn't broken skin."

"Comforting."

The laugh came easily this time.

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I'd laughed this much in one afternoon. My face actually felt strange from it, which seemed like a problem I shouldn't examine too closely.

Alex pulled his sleeve free and inspected the damp fabric. "Murderous lump of coal."

Ashter's ember eyes brightened.

"Stop insulting him."

"He likes it."

"You're going to lose a hand."