\u201cDo excuse the rude people,\u201d the Professor crooned to the fish, holding it close enough that his beard whiskers brushed against its scales. \u201cThey are but cogs and pawns and the whistling wind, and know not what they do.\u201d He kissed the fish’s snout \u2013 drawing a hiss of disgust from Jil and an exclamation of \u201cDude! That is just nasty!\u201d from Troy – and purred, \u201cThere my lovely, wake and sing for us, there’s a good girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Caitlin’s sight was temporarily obscured as both Feid and Troy threw themselves in front of her, arms held wide, feet planted as firmly as they could manage, given that the wooden planks were still vibrating, as if announcing an oncoming train. In the heat of the moment, Caitlin couldn’t decide whether to be amused, or profoundly annoyed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if it comes from behind us?\u201d she yelled, as another thunder-roll shook the walls.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
What remained of the ceiling lay in pieces around them, slabs of drywall jutting at odd angles amidst clouds of settling white dust and broken roof timbers. The Professor sat in the middle of a pile of rubble with a stunned look on his face, still holding one delicate, intact teacup. It steamed faintly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cDo excuse the rude people,\u201d the Professor crooned to the fish, holding it close enough that his beard whiskers brushed against its scales. \u201cThey are but cogs and pawns and the whistling wind, and know not what they do.\u201d He … Continue reading