Her footsteps retreated down the hallway. Maki sat on the floor with her fur standing on end and her tails puffed to twice their normal size, looking like a tiny angry pom-pom.
"Master's building has aggressive humans."
"That's just corporate culture, Maki. Get used to it."
"Maki will bite the next one who knocks."
"Please don't."
I showered. Changed into the clothes that had been laid out the night before by whoever Veronica had assigned to manage my wardrobe. Dark slacks, a white shirt with subtle texture, a navy jacket that fit too well to be coincidence. Someone had taken my measurements while I wasn't paying attention, which was either impressive service or mildly terrifying surveillance.
Maki refused to return to the shadow space.
"Maki has been in the shadow space for sixteen hours. It smells like old boots and cosmic disappointment. Maki demands fresh air and tuna."
"You can't walk around Olympus Rising headquarters in human form."
"Cat form then."
