Chapter 39 Fireflies

• Chris
• I tensed as the doe stamped her hoof again, her ears pinned back in a clear warning. My instincts screamed at me to shift, to bare my teeth and snarl back—to make myself as big and threatening as possible to scare this potential threat away from Ava. It was known, in the human world, that a doe protecting her baby could kill someone.
• But before I could act, Ava was already moving forward with slow, purposeful steps, her hands held up in a placating gesture.