章節 41: Chapter 41: Overruled

I stumbled again, out into the open, wanting to creep closer but somehow managing to catch my toe on the edge of the stack. And so, with all the grace of a floundering walrus, I tripped my way into the center of the concrete aisle with a soft meep of embarrassment.

Shouting or not, centaur hearing was excellent and I didn't exactly do my best to sneak up on them. I'd learned their ability to catch the softest sound well enough trying to play hide-and-seek with Tulip in the stacks. She said I breathed so loudly she could find me anywhere. And her mother, Blossom, always knew we were awake no matter how quiet we tried to be the few times I was allowed to sleep over as a girl.

But it wasn't the kind and gentle momma centaur who would come and sing to us then tuck us in again when we fell asleep who turned to face me now. I'd loved Blossom once, still did. That's why it hurt so much to see the reflexive revulsion and fear on her face when she realized I was there.