“There are, however, surviving house animals that need care, as well as the other animals that were left behind. Sanguinati and Wolfgard are on their way to Bennett, as well as some other forms of terra indigene. Some Intuits are also on their way to help run the businesses that are needed to support that train station. There wouldn’t be many humans like herself there, at least not in the beginning, but it would be an opportunity to do the kind of work you say she wants to do.”

“Who’s looking after the animals now?”

“I don’t know. Whoever is in town that day, I think.”

Debany rubbed the towel over his face. “I’ll tell her about it. Has to be her choice.”

A reminder to me or you? Vlad thought. “Well, we don’t need an answer until we get through these storms.” And find out what’s left of Thaisia when they’re done.

•••

“Thanks for coming to get us,” Greg O’Sullivan said when Simon walked over to the chairs at the train station where the ITF agent guarded four females.

Simon almost told him that Blair needed to come to the station anyway to pick up some things they had ordered for the Courtyard, but that might make it sound like the humans were extra luggage, so he said, “It’s fine.”

The oldest female stood. She was short and thin, with brown skin and brown eyes, and her short curly hair was more tarnished silver than black. The other adult female was younger, and had black hair and brown skin, but her eyes were a clear, startling green.

O’Sullivan made the introductions. “This is Twyla Montgomery, her daughter, Sierra, and the girls are Carrie and Bonnie. Ladies, this is Simon Wolfgard, leader of the Lakeside Courtyard.”

“Can we call you Wolfie?” the girl with the missing front tooth asked.

“You can call him Mr. Wolfgard or Mr. Simon, same as you would any other grown-up,” Twyla said.

She didn’t raise her voice or threaten, but she subdued the pup and left no doubt that question wouldn’t be asked again.

Simon was impressed—and hopeful there was now someone who could keep the human puppies in line without biting them. “What should we call you?”

“Twyla will do.”

Maybe. He’d see what Lieutenant Montgomery said about that.

Humans were starting to notice them, and it wasn’t smart to linger. Simon grabbed a couple of the carryalls piled around the females and tried to remember the things humans asked about travel. “Did you have a good trip?”

“It was just fine once we got seats,” Twyla replied. “We’d probably still be sitting in the station at Hubbney if Agent O’Sullivan hadn’t stepped in.”