"They feel soft, too. Snakes. They're very soothing to touch." Rex pocketed his CiD now that picture time was complete, snorting with contempt at Shrieky's assessment of humans. How totally right he was. "They do. They're reactive, easily threatened by anything new or different. It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, they'll see you as a monster if it suits their purposes."

After a gloomy pause, Rex considered that question and smiled.

"She is now. That holiday, that... St. Kelley's day? She was brought back to me."