Grey Dawn by Clea Simon Page A

to talk to any of us peons.’ Dulcie dared a glance back. It was true. Lukos was deep in conversation with Nancy. His arm was still covered by his coat, only now he was holding it out as if showing her something.
    â€˜What’s he doing?’ Dulcie strained to see. ‘Was he hurt? Bitten?’ She started toward him, only to feel three pairs of hands on her.
    â€˜Hang on, cowgirl.’ Trista was in charge of turning her around. ‘Let’s let things settle, shall we?’
    â€˜But …’ It was useless. Before she knew what was happening, Dulcie found herself out on the sidewalk.
    â€˜What was that about, anyway?’ Raleigh seemed to have missed the details, and so Lloyd filled her in as they walked, huddled against the wind. ‘It’s my fault,’ Dulcie heard him say. ‘I should never have told her about seeing them at the bar.’
    â€˜It’s not your fault.’ Dulcie interrupted. ‘He just seemed like the type. I mean, more than …’ The wind – it had to be the wind – interrupted her, roaring down an alley. Only, she thought she’d heard something more. ‘Wait,’ she stopped her friends. ‘What’s that?’
    The roar had faded, and a voice, faint but clear, was calling. A cry, saying – what?
    â€˜I hear it, too.’ Raleigh was looking around them. ‘It’s coming from down here.’ Pulling away from them, she darted into the dark between the buildings. ‘Raleigh, wait!’ Lloyd went after her, and so Dulcie and Trista followed. The moon, which shone so bright on the street, did little to illuminate the alley. Still, the cry was clearly audible now – a soft, mewling sound, more a whimper than a voice. And to Dulcie, there was something more: a sense of warning. Of danger …
    â€˜Here it is!’ In the shadows, they could see Raleigh duck down. When she stood, she was holding something to her face.
    â€˜Raleigh, careful.’ Lloyd moved forward as Raleigh came back into the light.
    â€˜There’s no danger here,’ she said. ‘Look at this poor little guy.’ In her hands, almost covered by them, was a tiny orange kitten. As they watched, its little pink mouth opened and they heard again the soft cry.
    â€˜Oh, kitty!’ They all cooed, as Raleigh held the little creature up to her face. Even Trista lost her toughness for a second.
    â€˜Was he alone?’ Dulcie had gotten that warning from something – from somewhere. ‘Maybe his mother is back there, too – or other kittens from his litter?’
    Raleigh shook her head, her long hair falling over the kitten’s shivering body. ‘I didn’t see anything else.’
    â€˜We should look.’ Dulcie wasn’t just being practical. She had a bad feeling about this. Lloyd nodded and went back into the alley. Soon they were all there, Raleigh holding the tiny orange tabby, peering under shrubbery and in and around the two recycling bins.
    â€˜Nothing,’ Lloyd concluded finally. ‘He must have been dumped by someone.’
    â€˜Poor baby,’ Raleigh was cooing. ‘I’m going to take him
home.’
    Lloyd cleared his throat, and Dulcie turned. He was clearly uncomfortable. ‘Um, my allergies?’
    Raleigh looked up, and at that moment, Dulcie wouldn’t have given much for their relationship. ‘I know, honey. But just for a few nights. Just to make sure he’s okay. Then we’ll find a good home for him. I promise.’
    An awkward silence settled on the small party. ‘You’ll be fostering him.’ Dulcie volunteered, to break it up. ‘You can even keep him isolated, in the bathroom or something. It’ll be a good deed. You’ve probably saved that kitten’s life.’
    Lloyd sneezed, and Dulcie gave him a look. They had only just found the kitten, after all. He had the grace to look somewhat abashed. ‘If it were