Chapter 70
Chapter 70 Silent Devotion of Spirit Animals
Finished
He rubbed his hands together, brimming with eager anticipation. “What’s for lunch today? I can already smell it p>
As he spoke, the well-behaved lynx had already retreated back into the cell on its own.
The orca followed suit, shrinking its massive body before gliding back through the window.
The crow finally flew back to Lyra’s shoulder, nuzzling her urgently.
That was close. It had almost been discovered again.
Lyra’s heart felt light and warm after receiving such willing help from them.
She pushed the meal cart quickly down the cell row, handing out food containers one by one.
Arthur took his portion and thanked her calmly, just like always.
Lyra smiled and quickly wrote a reply. “You’re welcome, it’s all part of my job p>
After sliding the note through the slot, she continued distributing meals to Rhys and the other Sentinels.
Rhys opened his container at once, letting out a surprised huff at the rich spread. “Whoa? Did federal supply rations arrive or something p>
The meal was packed with hearty meat portions and even included a few slices of fresh fruit, far better than their usual plain rations.
Lyra glanced over.
She had been surprised when she saw it earlier too.
It was indeed much richer than before.
Maybe payday was coming, and the kitchen staff were in a good mood.
Marcel prioritized scanning his meal the second he got it, checking for any ingredients he disliked.
He’d refuse to open the container at all if it had anything he hated.
Luckily, today’s spread met his every standard, leaving him fully satisfied.
Once she’d finished serving the first floor, Lyra took the lift up to the second floor.
Rook’s hyena had already caught the scent of food, lifting its head and staring straight toward her.
Lyra smiled at it and asked the crow to carry the meal container into the cell for her.
The window ledge was too narrow to set the tray down safely, and she didn’t want it spilling or getting dirty.
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The cruw obediently grabbed the container, but it slipped from its grip and clattered onto the floor.
Fortunately, the short falk didn’t mess up the food inside.
Both Lyra and the hyena fixed their gazes on the crow.
Lyra tapped its beak gently, then pointed at the fallen meal, questioning it with a serious expression.
The crow seemed to understand. It innocently shook its head, indicating that it had not done it on
purpose.
It rubbed its head against her wrist in a clear plea for forgiveness, its round black eyes wide and dewy with apparent grievance.
Lyra softened instantly. She ruffled its feathers and gestured for it to be more careful next time.
The crow nodded meekly.
Lyra then turned to the hyena, pressing her palms together and shaking them lightly, silently assuring it the crow hadn’t messed up on purpose.
The hyena dragged its cold gaze away from Lyra, shooting a sharp, indifferent glance at the crow clinging affectionately to her side.
Lyra waved and left with the crow.
The hyena finally stood, picked up the meal container in its jaws, and carried it over to Rook.
Rook had been facing away from the window the entire time, hidden from Lyra’s view.
Coarse, stubby fur, identical to his spirit animal’s, now covered most of his cheeks. He was only one final step away from complete feral transformation.
When Lyra reached the third floor, the crow could no longer follow her.
Only Draven’s red fish and Lucian’s dhole stayed by her side.
Lyra was always terrified on this floor. The vicious roars and violent banging echoing from the cells froze her in place every time.
The red fish and dhole exchanged a quick look. The dhole gently tugged at Lyra’s pant leg, guiding her to the far edge of the corridor, safely out of harm’s way.
Before Lyra could process what was happening, the two spirit animals took over her dangerous duties.
The red fish nudged the cell door open with its mouth, while the dhole picked up the heavy slabs of raw meat and set them on the window ledge.
The red fish then pushed the meat fully inside, closed the window, and moved on to the next cell.
They worked in perfect, seamless sync.
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Lyra stared in utter amazement.
They were so well-behaved and thoughtful.
Her chest swelled with warm gratitude.
They’d noticed her fear and stepped in to protect her without being asked.
She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy, wishing she had such a gentle, considerate spirit animal of her
own.
But these sweet, loyal creatures would one day vanish entirely with their owner’s feral transformation.
The more time she spent with them, the harder it was for her to accept their tragic, inevitable fate.
Once all the meals were delivered, the dhole nudged the meal cart along with its head and returned with the red fish to Lyra’s side.
They found her standing frozen, lips downturned, staring at them with a strange, sorrowful look-nothing like her usual bright, adoring gaze.
Confused by the obvious pity and worry in her eyes, the dhole sat down in front of her and tilted its head.
The red fish fluttered gently in the air before her like a wisp of red silk, flicking its broad tail fin in a playful attempt to regain her attention.
Lyra knelt down, looking at the two docile creatures, and pulled them both into a soft hug on impulse.
The dhole froze completely, eyes wide with shock.
The red fish, pressed lightly against her shoulder, also went rigid and dazed.
Down in their cells, Draven and Lucian both stiffened entirely, their minds going completely blank in an
instant.
Lyra stroked the dhole’s nape and the red fish’s body silently, her eyes stinging with tears.
She prayed desperately for their safety. She hoped and waited for a Guide to come and save them.
The crow, watching helplessly from the lower floor, stared up in pure disbelief.
Caw?
Lyra took a shaky breath, forcing her emotions back into place and pulling away.
She stared tenderly at the two stunned spirit animals, gave their heads one last gentle pat, then stood and grabbed the cart to head back downstairs.
The two spirit animals slowly snapped out of their daze and followed closely behind her, still utterly confused.
The second Lyra stepped back onto the second floor, the crow rushed straight toward her.
Feral
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.