“Ourrr squad was specially designed to complement one anotherrr,” he began. “Rrrufus is agile. He can both climb and fly. His eyesight is trrremendous, as is his bite and skewerrr.” Simber indicated the squirrelicorn’s foot-long horn, which grew from between his little squirrel ears. “Pauline was a theaterrr focus, Peterrr’s a wrrriting instrrructorrr, Meghan is a musician, and Alex is a painterrr.” He paused, and said wryly, “And in case you didn’t notice, I’m an enorrrmous stone cheetah with wings.





