Anira

I wake up with a heavy head, as if I had been drinking all night. Looking around, I realize that I’m in my bedroom, in my house, and I smile as I throw my body back onto the bed.
Why did he bring me here?
Yes! I know he did. His musky scent is still lingering on my clothes. For a few moments, it felt like I was being carried by him. Feeling his warm body against the cold that surrounded us was comforting, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
I check the time and realize I should already be up. I jump out of bed, heading straight for the shower. I put my long hair in a high bun and am startled when I look in the mirror. My hair seems even whiter, and if it weren’t too crazy, I’d say it’s glowing.
“You must be going crazy, Anira.” I push these thoughts away and step into the hot water.
Once dressed, I race down the stairs. Today is Saturday, and we work until noon at the clinic. Actually, I don’t have a fixed schedule since animals don’t wait for weekdays to get hurt, but Arow only comes on Sundays.
I start preparing everything: eggs, bacon, orange juice, coffee, some fruits, and bread from the pantry. I decide to make buttered toast and put them in the toaster when I hear a knock on the door. But I’m a bit busy at the moment.
“Come in! I’m in the kitchen,” I call out.
I start turning off the pans as the toaster pops the toast to my liking.
“Good morning, doctor.” I don’t recognize this voice.
“Who are you?” I ask, alarmed.
“I’m Daemon Black. We haven’t been formally introduced.”
"Ah, yes, you’re Arow's father," I say, but his silver eyes confirm it.
"Yes," he smiles disarmingly.
"I’ve heard a lot about you; you’re like the mayor of the town," I say as I finish setting the table. "Since you’re here, you’ll have breakfast with me," I announce, not giving him a chance to refuse. He watches as I add an extra mug to the table. "It’s for Arow or Jacob; they’ll surely arrive soon."
"Father." As soon as I finish speaking, Arow’s voice fills the kitchen. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to meet our veterinarian," he says, helping himself to some coffee.
"Well, Mr. Black, I’m not one to beat around the bush. Last night, I was at Auror’s house. Are you all Férnus like him?" I ask.
Arow spits out his coffee the moment he hears my words.
"Doesn’t that scare you, Doctor?" Black's look at me is curious.
"Should it? I handle animals weighing over 400 pounds. Who am I to be easily frightened?" I serve myself.
I’m not scared, just very curious. I’ve been feeling strange things that bubbled up when I was face-to-face with him.
"Ann, what are you talking about?" Arow asks.
"Don’t try to tell me I’m crazy; I know what I saw. Don’t come here denying it. Is that why you came, Mr. Black?"
"No, I came to meet you. News travels fast around here, Miss Montecião."
"So you’re going to tell me if you’re Férnus like he is?"
"What do you know about this, Ann?" Arow looks astonished.
"What he told me. Auror wasn’t very courteous, but I expected that since I wasn’t supposed to go there, and believe me, I didn’t go willingly." Black looks at me suspiciously, as if searching for truth in my words.
"I still can’t believe you’re not going to freak out or quit and run away," Black observes me.
"No, I’m not. I can’t explain why I’m not doing that, but since I arrived, I’ve been having dreams, my hair doesn’t stay dyed, and dare I say, it seems to be glowing," I point to my hair. "I know what I saw and what I’m feeling, and fear is not part of any of it."
"Well, Miss Montecião, it seems there’s no way to keep you in the dark for much longer, as things will start happening soon. However, that’s something he, your companion, needs to explain to you. It’s very intimate and personal. What I can tell you here is that we are Férnus, just like him."
"Are all of you?"
"No, there are humans in the town who are unaware of our existence. As a veterinarian, you can imagine what would happen if news of our species got out."
"Wait?" My mind seems to suffer a delay, only processing this information now. "You said companion? What’s going to start happening?" I begin to worry.
"Calm down, Ann. My father will tell you everything he can," Arow tries to reassure me, but his words don’t help much.
I realize my morning might be long and full of revelations.