I woke up once more and glanced around, but the room was empty. I did my business and checked the bowls. They held meat and water again. I ate one cube of meat, but my stomach was starting to detest it. My stomach gurgled as I thought longingly of the fruits that could be found in the main park. How long had I been here anyways?

I wasn’t sure, but I had eaten at least three times, so I guessed three days from how hungry my stomach had been each time I woke up. I drank my fill of water, noting that it tasted slightly different this time. Since there wasn’t anything else to do, I went back to curl up under the heat lamp. I seemed to really be craving heat with my injury.

Oddly enough, I didn’t get tired immediately. Perhaps the water hadn’t been drugged this time. I unfolded my good wing to stretch it out and catch more of the heat. Okay, this is boring.

I raised my head and examined the cage a bit more closely. It was built quite differently from the ones in the old lab. For starters, it was at least three times bigger, but I couldn’t see the latches on the door. I did see a narrow sliding slot on the side that allowed him to remove the dirt pan and clean it without entering the cage.

My inspection was interrupted as the door in the living room opened. I watched in astonishment as the two halves of the door parted and slid into the walls. I lowered myself down to make myself less conspicuous as three Kymari entered the room.

I doubted how effective my actions were considering that I was a ball of shiny golden scales and a grey cast under a glowing red heat lamp. They all glanced at me as soon as they entered – they definitely knew I was here and that I was awake. My usual visitor sat in his accustomed place on my left as I gave a low growl. The other two chose chairs on my right side, examining me with interest.

Out of the pot and into the fire. Well, I’m no longer bored. I really must be more careful what I wish for or complain about.

After a good look at me, they proceeded to pretend to ignore me. My Blood Memories told me that they were watching me by the way they held their heads. I kept my body flattened into the cloth padding as my ear tufts remained pinned against my head in warning.

The farther Kymari commented, “It’s good to see that she’s awake and seems to be recovering swiftly enough. Has she tried to flame you yet, Taureen?”

I blinked slowly as I took note of his name. Taureen, huh? It was an odd name, although I wasn’t exactly in a position to comment. I had been a human who was turned into a fire-breathing lizard. I should be a pro at odd by now.

The one on my left, Taureen, shook his head. “Oddly enough, no. I halfway expected it, but so far it has just been growls and hisses, although she hasn’t been awake much due to the amount of painkillers we have been giving her. I do find it somewhat unusual that she didn’t even use fire when I cornered her against that tree.”

The closer Kymari commented, “I talked to one of those who regularly watches these guys in the morning, and we went over his videos. The flock has been short a gold one for the last four days, so it looks like they all gather every morning when they sing. Those two chicks you saw being carried away were with the flock this morning, so they are still around.”

Taureen nodded. “Has anyone in the other cities located a second flock?”

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“That is the strange part; they have only been found in that one park. We thoroughly checked the other parks here and contacted the other cities, but no trace of them has been found anywhere else. This city has the only known population, and according to our count, there are only a hundred of them if you count the two chicks and this female.”

Taureen sounded somewhat frustrated. “That doesn’t surprise me. I checked with numerous people and sources, but next to nothing is known about their habits. Our treatment of this one is the first up-close look we have had of this species. Until the incident at the park, they didn’t even have a name other than ‘the singing lizards’. Although, almost everyone has started calling them fire lizards after the recent events.”

The closer one leaned in for a better look at me. I turned my head to hiss directly at him, although he wasn’t fazed by my threat. “She seems thinner than she did when I first saw her. She also doesn’t seem to be eating much; the meat looks almost untouched.”

“We have noticed that,” Taureen replied. “We originally assumed that they were carnivorous, but now we are considering the possibility that they may be insectivores or have some sort of specialized diet. No one recalls seeing them hunting or eating, not that people remember seeing them much. I have several things coming in tomorrow, so I can see if they pique her appetite. Several people are trying to watch the wild ones, but that sicora seems to have spooked them, and it’s nearly impossible to get near them at this point.”

He made a sound of disbelief. “I still can’t figure out how any creature that attacks a sicora can be spooked. Come to that, aside from the largest predators, I have never seen anything even attempt to attack a sicora. Everything else runs as soon as they see one.”

“Did you see that report from the lab?” the third Kymari inquired.

The second one nodded. “Yes, I find it quite interesting that the fire lizards have an antibody in their saliva that attacks the sicora’s brain stem. I didn’t think that anything could ever poison those foul creatures.”

There had been something in our saliva that caused those seizures? That was a surprise. Apparently, the secret agent had been correct about the cause of the seizures, despite how unlikely that theory had seemed at the time.

Taureen responded, “As far as the veterinarians could tell, it only seems to affect sicora and other relatives in that family tree. It has no effect on us or on most creatures.”

A soft bell-like tone sounded, making me flinch at the unexpected sound.

“Come in.”

The door opened at Taureen’s invitation, and another Kymari entered the room. He nodded a greeting to those present before taking a seat near Taureen. An apple rolled out of his pocket as he sat down, and he put it on the center table.

The apple was slightly bruised, and judging from the animal scent on the new arrival, it had likely been meant as an animal treat. My mouth watered at the sight of the apple. I stared at the apple as the four in the room continued talking.

I lifted my head and inhaled deeply. This cage had good ventilation, and I could pick up the scent of the sweet apple. I stared at the shiny red apple wistfully; it was a pity that it wasn’t closer to the cage.

“Is it staring at the apple?”

I glanced over at the Kymari who had spoken and realized that all of them were watching me. I tried to press myself closer into the soft cloth, growling my discomfort at being stared at, as well as my frustration of being unintentionally taunted with the apple.

Taureen reached over to pick up the apple and turned to the cage door. The moment the door cracked open, I backed up against the back wall with a hiss. He opened the door just enough to place the apple inside before closing it again.

This is torture. The apple was finally within my reach, but they were all closely watching to see what I would do. I didn’t like them staring at me, but my stomach clenched painfully, reminding me how long it had been since I had a decent meal.

The smell was much stronger now that the apple was in the cage with me. My stomach grumbled in hunger and anticipation. My hunger was a driving force, and I couldn’t resist any more.

I crept forward with my stomach brushing against the ground, stretching out my neck until I could snag the apple in my teeth. I pulled it towards me as I dragged it under the heat lamp where I proceeded to devour it.

By the time I finished, I was completely stuffed and only the stem and seeds were left. Sated, I curled up as exhaustion once more tugged at me.