The woman nodded. “Four legs feels the most natural when we’re hunting. That’s when it makes the most sense to be in our fur. Our senses are sharper then, our instincts stronger. Some of our younger ones have trouble changing back into their skin after a satisfying hunt.”

Following Pashla was like following a ghost. She made no sound and left the ground undisturbed as she glided through the forest. Kyra felt a twinge of jealousy. All her life, she had been the graceful one, and now there was an entire race of people who could do this better than she.

Pashla stopped and raised one finger. “Deer upwind,” she said softly. “You can smell them.”

Kyra might have smelled something, or she might have just imagined it. Either way, she nodded and followed.

A few steps later, Libena’s stance changed. The kitten arched her back and moved forward with high, mincing steps. Pashla held Kyra back with a light touch as Libena focused on an invisible prey. Suddenly, she pounced in a rustle of leaves. There was a scuffle, and Kyra thought she saw a small shadow scurry off. Libena’s head drooped, and Pashla said something to her in an encouraging tone.

Pashla led them around like this, stopping to point out sights and smells. It was fascinating. Kyra had always taken pleasure in finding things in the dark, and now Pashla pushed her to her limits, showing her faint footprints, shadows that were no more than a flicker or a feeling. They had continued a while when Pashla stopped and brushed Kyra’s elbow. The woman didn’t look worried, but Kyra followed her gaze to a telltale rustle in a nearby tree. There was a crash of branches as a shadow dropped to the ground. Silence; then a two-legged shape walked out of the trees.

“Leyus.” Pashla brushed three fingers down the front of her neck as she dipped in a slight bow.

The clan leader was just as Kyra remembered from the gathering, with the same air of authority even when walking alone. He acknowledged Pashla with a nod. “Pashla. You are healing well?”

“Yes, as is Kyra.”

“I would speak with Kyra,” he said to Pashla. “I will return her to her shelter after we finish.”

“Of course.” Pashla touched Kyra’s wrist. “We will continue tomorrow.”

Kyra watched helplessly as Pashla gathered the kittens and disappeared into the trees. The clanswoman was sometimes strange and not completely predictable, but at least Kyra knew Pashla wouldn’t harm her. Leyus was a different matter.

“Let us walk,” said Leyus. Kyra obeyed, muscles tense. Somehow, this didn’t seem like a social visit.

They continued through the trees. Kyra once again noticed the Makvani’s grace of movement, though Leyus didn’t take as much care to leave the forest undisturbed. It was as if Pashla wanted to blend into the forest, while Leyus saw no reason to. Finally, he spoke.