Natalie let out a sudden laugh that broke the tension in the air. Lucky's obsession with judging people by their looks had become a running joke by now. The dog tilted her head, barking and grumbling, her fur bristling in outrage. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow ow ow ow, ow ow!" Her growls almost sounded like words. The way she glared said everything. Beautiful? That woman? Please. Her eyes must be broken. And I'm not dumb. She called me a pig, and I'm supposed to like her after that? Natalie tried to keep a straight face but failed miserably. "Alright, that's enough. Quit yelling. The spring water's worn off anyway. We can't understand you now." Cassian's lips curved slightly. "I understood part of it." He gave a dry glance at Lucky. "Still as talented at swearing as ever." Natalie covered her mouth to stifle another laugh, then turned to the other two. "Cash, Baron, don't wander off. Stay where I can see you." Cash flapped his wings proudly, as if promising he'd behave. Baron flexed his little arms, all muscle and attitude, looking like he was ready to fight the air itself. Natalie sighed. She had to be the only person in the world with a rabbit built like a street fighter. He looked ready to knock someone out at any given second. A sudden knock broke the quiet. A man's voice called through the door. "Hey there! Brought your water!" Natalie's eyes flicked toward the door. She didn't trust anything that came from strangers. She almost told him to leave but decided to play along for now. She opened the door and took the tray. "Thanks."On the tray sat a steaming kettle and two cups. The innkeeper grinned from ear to ear. "No problem! It's freezing out. Thought you two could use something hot to warm up before bed." Natalie placed the tray on the table and turned back toward the door. "We don't need anything else. Don't knock again unless something's on fire." She paused, her tone turning flat. "Actually, even then, don't knock." The man blinked, confused, then smirked in a way that made her skin crawl. "Oh, I get it, I get it." He leaned forward, peeking inside with a knowing look. He even winked at Cassian. "Say no more, brother. I won't ruin your night." Cassian's jaw tightened. The man's greasy grin made his stomach twist. Natalie rolled her eyes hard. "You get nothing. I'm saying stay away. Day or night. If we need anything, we'll come to you." The man's grin widened. "Even in the daytime? Oh, I get it now. Loud and clear." Natalie froze for a beat. That was not what she meant. But the smug look on his face told her he was enjoying the misunderstanding. Cassian's voice cut through the air, low and cold. "Leave." The man's smile disappeared. His eyes hardened, but before he could say another word, Natalie slammed the door shut. The sound hit like a gunshot. He stood there for a second, fists clenching, then let out a cold laugh and stalked off down the hall. When Natalie turned around, she froze. Her three companions were standing on the table, staring at the kettle as if it were alive. Her expression darkened. "What did I just say? You don't eat or drink anything strangers give us!"She waved them back. "Move away. I'll get our own water." But none of them listened. Lucky kept her eyes fixed on the kettle, head tilted in suspicion. Baron stood on his toes, peering into the spout. Cash fluttered up to the table, circling the tray like a watchful hawk. Cassian narrowed his eyes. "They're not thirsty. They're watching it." Natalie's voice dropped. "You think something's wrong with it?" She crouched beside the table and looked closer. The water was crystal clear, steaming softly. Nothing seemed out of place. But Lucky never reacted like this for no reason. Neither did the others. Something was off. Natalie raised her hand. In an instant, the tray, cups, and kettle vanished into her storage space. Then something strange happened. Tiny, clear grains—like glassy rice—scattered across the dark wooden surface. Natalie blinked. "Those weren't there before, were they?" Cassian's brow furrowed. "No." A chill ran down Natalie's spine. "Then they're alive." Her storage area couldn't hold anything living. That meant whatever had been in the water was moving when she took it in. The fact they'd been spat back out meant they were alive. The water hid them perfectly. Now, exposed on the table, the tiny creatures glimmered faintly against the wood. Natalie's lip curled in disgust. "What the hell is that? Worms?" The instant the translucent bugs appeared, the reaction was immediate.Lucky and Baron both jumped back, fur and ears bristling like the table had burst into flames.