shoulders like old men at a gym. The hobs had decided the ornate bird feeder in the sprawling backyard was the perfect place for their morning bath. The fact that birds occasionally, stupidly, flew too close was simply a bonus. Bath and breakfast, I guess, Titus thought.

The last hob in line stuck his tongue out between strangely human teeth and pulled down one eyelid, an expression it had gotten from watching one of Titus’s anime without permission. They were all thrilled to learn a new rude gesture. Titus pretended he didn't see it. The last thing he needed was for them to get riled up.

“I don't know how you stand those vermin,” Shade said, his voice creeping more into Titus’s head than his ears. Only certain people could hear Shade...

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