Jade:

  Morning came way too fast.

  The alarm blared like it was trying to peel paint off the walls. I slapped at it until it died, then rolled over to find Veyra staring at me.

  “Wake up we’re hungry.”

  I groaned into my pillow. “You’re the size of a small latte. How much food could you possibly need?”

  Veyra crossed her tiny arms, feathers ruffling. “Small body, still and an appetite that needs to be fulfilled. Do I look like I run on magic.”

  “Yes,” I deadpanned.

  I got out of bed and grabbed a paper plate and a raw steak from my fridge.

  “I’m not eating that.” Veyra sneered, her tiny face curling in disgust. “I want sausage and grits.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I froze mid-step, steak dangling off the plate. “Excuse me? You’re a six-inch harpy, not brunch royalty.”

  Veyra tilted her head, feathers puffing. “Do I look like I care? Steak is dragon food. I am a harpy. A refined creature. I require seasoning, texture, balance.”

  Ashira cracked an eye open from where she sprawled across my bed.

  “Steak is fine. She’s just dramatic.”

  I set the plate down on the floor next to my desk. “Newsflash: this is a dorm. I don’t have a griddle, or grits, or a personal chef hiding in the closet.”

  Veyra tapped her talons on the lamp, eyes narrowing. “So, take me somewhere I can eat.”

  I swear I’m stuck with two snobs.

  “First, let me take care of Ashira.” I muttered.

  After taking care of Ashira, I met Cam at the caff.

  He was already waiting, hunched over a styrofoam cup of coffee like it was the only thing tethering him to existence. His eyes flicked up and the second I slid into the seat across from him.

  “You look like shit,” he said.

  “I also feel like it too.”

  “Why?” he asked taking a spoon full of grits.

  “I got a new pet with the moral high ground—"

  “I smell grits!” Veyra’s high-pitched voice squealed from inside my hoodie pocket, her claws pricking through the fabric.

  Cam froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. “...What the hell was that?”

  “Uh—” I smacked at my pocket like I was squashing a bug. “I’ll, tell you outside.”

  She darted outside of my pocket and laned on the with table with grace what a miniature harpy could do. While Cam just looked unfazed.

  He exhaled “Let me guess she’s related to that dragon.”

  I just nodded.

  Cam just nudged the bowl to Veyra as an offering.