Page 94 of The Black Citadel

The research team was marking plant growth north of camp. Corian would be checking the survey schedule. Alex was probably trying to convince someone that floating equipment counted as difficult work, and Nykos would pretend not to listen while hearing every complaint. There were patrol routes to check and an entire Rift full of things capable of biting, drowning or poisoning us.

Inside the grotto, water kept falling over the stones.

Jade ran two fingers over the markings along the kit's back. They brightened beneath her touch without any magic from her. "They're warm."

I rested my chin near her shoulder.

"I know they have blood and muscle and organs. I could tell you their heart rates, the structure of their lungs and how the Rift altered the webbing in their paws." She rubbed gently behind one rounded ear. "I didn't know they were warm."

I studied her.

She glanced sideways. "That sounded strange."

It sounded like Jade.

I nudged her upper arm.

"You can't answer every question by hitting me with your face."

I could in this form.

"Do you still feel like yourself?"

The question pulled my head back.

Jade watched the kit rather than me. "When you shift. You look different, your senses change and you can't speak, but you're still in there. Does it feel like wearing another body, or does it become yours while you have it?"

I considered shifting so I could answer, then dismissed it. The Veylith body held three kits and most of Jade's weight against one side. Changing now would ruin all of it.

I placed one paw over the toe of her boot.

She looked down. "That tells me nothing."

I pressed harder.

"Still nothing."

I moved the paw to her knee and waited until she looked at me.