Days passed, and the bond deepened. Elise’s heart swelled at each clumsy leap, each soft nuzzle. Yet unease threaded every tender moment. Its eyes seemed too knowing, the paws too big, the hunger too strong. Something inside her understood she had invited more than a kitten into her home.
Shadow adapted quickly, claiming corners of the cottage as though they were thrones. Elise watched the kitten explore shelves and cupboards, fearless of heights. Sometimes she swore it understood her words, pausing and blinking at questions as though considering answers. Ordinary cats didn’t behave this way, but Shadow wasn’t ordinary.