"Careful, careful, don't scratch the seats-!" But Jason grins at Swann's reaction, feeling that he's managed this appropriately and that whatever lock he has on this imaginary contract is all the stronger now. He keeps his eyes on the road, but he can hear her glee in her voice. He can hear the cub snuffling at her fingers, too, completely unfrightened.

"No name yet. The breeder told me he was a boy, but since he's already been fixed it's hard to tell, I guess. I don't know anything about animals." Maybe they took him to the same place they took Benjy, Jason thinks. "He's yours. Figure he can be a playmate for Marcel."