Page 61 of The Beauty and the Griffin

Dodger added, “We here!”

I turned in time to see the griflets plugging the doorway, tangling their legs and wings while wrestling to be first. They somehow popped through at the same time and went skidding across the glossy floor, leaving gouges in its polish.

“Stop!” Win shouted to no effect.

Bright-eyed after their meal and nap, they raced each other to the far end of the table and around, tails whipping. The wind from Dodger’s passing caused a fern to nearly spin in its pot, and I feared for my favorite statue. Chicky slid and crashed into the far wall, then scrabbled in pursuit of her brother.

“Enough.”

One resounding word from the Gamekeeper and the griflets slid to a stop near his chair, sitting straight upright like panting gargoyles, their attention focused on him. “We good now,” Chicky said, and Dodger nodded eagerly.

Win raised her voice. “That’s better. Since I know all about griffins, I will train Chicky and Dodger for a few weeks, and then they’ll be able to survive on their own.”

Dodger gave a frustrated squawk. “I hunt good! I catch two rabbits.”

“I hunt best.” Chicky looked down her beak at him. “I catched a hare and a marmot. No need for train.”

I shook my head. “Both of you should be humble about your successes. There is always more to learn.”

“Blah, blah, blah,” Win mocked my tone of voice. “You’re the preachiest know-it-all I’ve ever seen.”

That hit a nerve. “I’m pointing out facts of life, that’s all.”

Win shoved her chair back, leaped to her feet, planted her hands flat on the table, and glared down at me. “You think you’re better than anyone, and you make people feel stupid. No wonder you’re short on friends. You stink!!”

With a piercing shriek, Chicky gave her entire body a shake, making her feathers and fur stand on end. An instant later she loomed over Winifred, who gaped up into her blazing eyes. “Beatrice loves Chicky. Chicky loves Beatrice. Gamekeeper says Beatrice is wise.”

With awkward yet effective dignity, Chicky turned and marched around the Gamekeeper’s chair to stand beside mine, then rested her intimidating beak on my shoulder. In a rush of affection, I slid my arm around her neck.

Not to be outdone, Dodger followed her to bunt my other shoulder with the top of his head. “Beatrice is kind and good.”

I stroked his feathered neck too, but a glance at Win made me cringe inside. I was certain Dodger intended no slight to his erstwhile nanny; a gentle soul, he tried to make everyone happy . . . but he was always a few steps behind in social awareness. Now, Chicky? I had no proof, but I suspected she took pleasure in thwarting Winifred.

“You’ve been lying to them!” Win shoved away from the table and leaped to her feet, pointing. “Vlad and Mirka chose me as their nanny. You!”—her voice cracked as she pointed at my face—“You have no authority here—not over me, and not over them.”

She rounded the Gamekeeper’s chair and ordered the griflets, “Go to your nests, both of you.”

Dodger looked to me, his round golden eyes so expressive that my heart melted. I turned to the Gamekeeper for guidance, but he was silent. Since I didn’t know what else to do, I hugged Dodger’s feathery neck. “You’re such a good, kind boy. I’m very proud of you. Now, it’s nearly bedtime; you’d better obey Win. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He visibly drooped, so I gave him a kiss on his head and another hug, whispering, “She needs you, Dodger.”

I felt his posture straighten as he answered mentally,Dodger take care of Win for you.He then strutted to the door, proud and cheerful again.

When I turned back, Win and Chicky were having a stare down . . . or more like a glare down.

My griflet’s gaze suddenly shifted to meet mine.Win always says I am bonded to her, but Chicky loves Beatrice.Chicky obeys Beatrice, not Win. I stay, please?

Again, I felt the bond between us, strange and magical but also warm and strong. Chicky feared that she didn’t really matter to me, that I would hand her off to Win.

Not a chance.

You are bonded to me, my darling Chicky.

I turned to the scowling girl. “Chicky will stay with me tonight.”

“She’s coming with me!” Eyes narrowed, Win took two steps toward me, one fist raised as if she were coiled to strike me . . . or to cast a spell.

Before I could open my mouth, Chicky let out a roar and bounded toward the girl.

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