“It seems to move all right. I think it’s just tender. I’m going to try to reset some of these bent feathers. Just give me a moment.” The vet prepared a large syringe with hot water and used it to heat up the feather shafts, then straightened out the bent feathers. As Kate adjusted her hold, the vet noticed the scratches on Kate’s arms.
“Ouch, did he do that?”
“I’m not sure. It was either the broken glass or him. I meant to ask if you have any antiseptic wipes I could use?”
“I’ll do you one better. Let me get him taken care of, then I’ll see to you.” Dr. Coburn reset the remaining bent feathers and removed two that weren’t fixable, then tended to Kate’s scrapes.
“They don’t look deep, but keep an eye out for infection. Go straight to the doctor if they start looking too red. Now, about this little guy—I know a rescue group that handles wild animals if you want them to take him in. Once he’s healed, they’ll set him free. I can get you the info sheet.” The vet left the room, while Kate continued to stroke the owl’s head. He made a soft twittering sound and settled deeper into the towel as she cradled him.
“That’s it. Just rest, Handsome. You’ve been through a lot lately.” Kate had decided to name the owl Handsome.
When Dr. Coburn returned, she put the info sheet in front of Kate. “Now, we’re a bit short-staffed right now, but you can leave him here until the holiday is over if you want; that’s when I can send him to the rescue group. Or I can leave you some care instructions if you want to hang on to him until the rehab center is open on Monday.”
Kate looked down at the owl’s gold and white head. Handsome looked straight at her, unblinking. For a second time, the dark fathoms of the owl’s eyes seemed to make the world around her vanish. Spirals of silver light seemed to form within those dark, mysterious eyes, and she couldn’t look away.
“Miss Winslow?” The vet’s voice was distant, as though it came through a deep tunnel. Kate shook herself back to the real world.
“What do you want to do?” the vet asked. “I don’t normally let people keep wildlife in their homes, but under the circumstances, I think he’d be okay for a few days with you.”
“I’ll take him home for a few days. Can you call me when the wildlife center opens?”
“All right, if you’re sure. Just remember, he’s a wild animal. Don’t treat him like a pet. I’ll print out some info on how to care for him while he’s with you. If you have any trouble keeping him until after the holidays, just bring him back here and I’m sure we can make room for him.”
“Thank you.”
Kate once more looked down at the owl in her arms. “You hear that, Handsome? You’re coming home with me.”
ChapterTwo
Once the path is set, you must move forward, never back. For to look back is to welcome the haunts of goblins and trolls or the will-o’-the-wisp to lure you into the dark. Do not chase the false lights for they will lead you to your doom.
—Anon.,Tales from the Twilight Court
It was easierthan Kate expected to smuggle an injured barn owl into the house. She slipped in through the front door, the owl still wrapped inside her gym towel. Her father was singing Christmas carols in the kitchen with Sandra while they prepared the Christmas meal for tomorrow.
Kate cuddled Handsome close to her and crept up the stairs, wincing when the third step from the top creaked. She paused outside her bedroom and eased the door open. A shaft of light illuminated the hallway as a different door opened behind her.
“Kate?” Caden whispered.
“Yeah?” she whispered back, trying to keep the owl hidden from her little brother.
“You weren’t gone very long. Where did you go?”
“Uh...” She’d never been able to lie easily, especially not to Caden.
Before she could say anything, he was at her side peering at Handsome.
“Is that an owl?” he asked, his eyes going wide.
“Yeah. It smashed through my passenger-side window.”
“Is he hurt?”
“He should be okay. His wing just needs time to heal.”
Caden tried to move closer. “Seriously? Can I see him?”
“You have to be careful,” Kate warned. “His talons are dangerous, okay?” She let her half brother see the owl’s face, which peeped out from the towel.
