The estate grounds were brighter than they should have been at this hour, magical light fixtures activated by servants responding to the disturbance. Raze remained seated in the cratered training area, three prehistoric creatures arranged around him in poses that would have been threatening if they weren't so absurdly small.
Slith maintained her position coiled around his neck, tiny head resting contentedly against his collarbone. Mittens had claimed his lap, multiple tail whips draped across his legs while mismatched golden eyes tracked approaching movement with predatory awareness. Bephe sat at his feet, visible heart pulsing steadily as intelligent amber eyes surveyed their surroundings with calculation that belied the creature's diminished size.
