Meira responded with the flick of an ear, realizing belatedly that no heartbeat sounded aside from the two creatures and herself. She lifted her head a bit, considering how life might move without aid of such a mechanism. Devin held no lie in his aura, the only shift in emotions was concern. A fear that she might reject him for what he was. The extended explanation, so sincere and soft, caused her to sit upright so her eyes were level with his. She poked his cheek with her nose.

Safe, she repeated before jumping off the couch and bouncing to the door. He needed to hurry up and eat so she could go explore.