Learning Curve

Murph was still wide awake when a knock came at his door. Setting aside his crossword puzzle, he was amazed all over again that he could tell it was Levity. And that someone was with her. He tried to sort through his impressions, since Shep had urged him to trust them, and came up with two.

Young. And male.

Actually, there was also a furriness to him, so … wolf?

From the other side of the door, Levity spoke. "It's all right, Murph. Can my friend and I come inside?"

He opened the door a crack. " May you."

"May we," she dutifully corrected, flashing a smile at the boy she'd brought. "Murph is the kind of guy who'll correct your grammar. It's his job, so don't take it personally."

The boy, who wore a fur vest and dozens of necklaces, offered both palms and a faint smile. "I am willing to learn. Are you, Kindred?"

There it was. A gently swaying tail. Wolf.

Murph stepped back, let them inside, and peeked up and down the hall before closing and locking the door. "Isn't it dangerous, walking around the city without any kind of disguise."

Levity said, "It's three in the morning, Murph. And Torloo knows how to be careful."

"Torloo," Murph echoed, tentatively offering own his palms.

Much-smaller hands were so different from his own. Brown skin. Ivory claws. Beaded bracelets. Blue eyes sought his gaze. "I am Torloo-dex Elderbough. Mother sent me. All you need, I will be."

Levity jumped in. "Torloo's mother is spokesperson for the wolf clans. Adoona-soh leads all the packs, and she's one of the five representatives for the Emergence. She's making good on a promise she made. It was a condition I set for stepping out."

"You demanded her firstborn son?"

Torloo said, "No. I am youngest ."

Levity said, "I asked for help."

"This help is your right," Torloo said solemnly. "The packs take care of their own. I will be your guide."

"He's moving in with you. If you'll allow it." Levity quietly added, "Adoona-soh is being amazingly generous. Amaranthine are incredibly protective, especially of our children."

"I'm grateful for the gesture, but won't it look bad, my suddenly taking up with a boy who is very obviously not a relative."

Levity beamed at him. "We checked. Your building allows pets."

"It does. But what does that have to do with … oh, help." Murph gaped at the wolf standing in the middle of his rug. Finding his voice, he managed, "What big teeth you have."

"Teensy detail. Hasn't come up yet," said Levity. "I'm in speaking form. Torloo is in truest form. We can change back and forth."

"So it's you in there?" Murph sank onto his chair.

Torloo padded closer, rested his chin on Murph's knee, and looked up at him with those same sky blue eyes. Then he pushed closer, his muzzle butting Murph's belly. Since disembowelment didn't seem imminent, he asked, "Am I allowed to pet a wolf who's more than a wolf?"

"Yes." And in a laughing tone, "Ask nicely, Torloo."

The wolf licked his chin.

Murph offered a tentative pat, then a scratch behind one ear. Torloo's tail wagged, so Murph continued. Soon, he had both arms around the wolf, who crooned a soft note, like a whispery howl. Murph shot a look at Levity, who gave the okay sign.

Addressing Torloo, he asked, "If you were another clan, say a horse like Mare Blazelock, would I be facing a young stallion now? Or … I don't know … a dragon?"

Torloo shifted, which was a luminous and lovely bit of magic, and Murph quickly let go.

The boy quietly stepped back. "Yes. All Amaranthine take the form of their clan's animal. Within each clan, there are houses or colonies or herds or packs."

"Elderbough. Highwind. Trebellaire. Clearsong. Nightspangle," listed Levity.

"I sense a certain fondness for portmanteaux."

Levity's gaze turned soft. "I'll see if I can get you a clan registry. You'll love all the names."

Torloo said, "We will find your clan. I do not think it will be difficult. There are not so many red wolves in the world."

"I'm not sure what good it will do, consulting genealogies. Didn't your sister say I was four or more generations removed?"

"We have someone looking into your human lineage, of course," said Levity. "But Torloo's right. It shouldn't be hard to figure out your Amaranthine grandsire or marm. Adoona went to ask around."

Murph still didn't see the point.

Torloo said, "There is too much to explain all at once. That is why I would like to stay."

"I'd hardly turn you out. Make yourself at home, wolf friend."

To his utter embarrassment, Torloo shuffled forward to kiss his forehead.

Levity stood, and for the barest fraction of a second, Murph thought she was going to follow suit. Instead, she rummaged in her pocketbook and handed him a light blue nylon leash.

"You boys all set?" she asked.

He muttered something indistinct, but his tail betrayed him by thumping hopefully.

Torloo made room, and she bent until their noses bumped. His heart beat harder, but everything else went still. Tense. Expectant. Ready. Murph was sure she knew, and he had no idea what to do with all the impressions that bombarded him. But a whine slipped out.

"Should we teach Torloo how to play Scrabble?" she suggested.

Which meant she wasn't leaving. He managed a nod, and his tail rustled some more. "Have you always known … everything?"

"I wonder if that's possible." Levity breathed in deeply, blinked slowly. "People don't always act on their feelings, Murph."

He hadn't considered that, wondered if he'd been remiss. So he gathered the courage to ask, "May I touch?"

"Please do."

It was a confused sort of kiss—grateful and anxious and hasty and needy. He was sure it hadn't said any of the things he should be telling Levity. But it was a start.