Kieran had rather hoped that Jude wouldn't figure it out until later; he slid the cage onto the attic floor but remained perched on the ladder, looking down at Jude. "It was M's idea," he said finally, as if Jude had any idea who M was - while mostly sober by now, there was something about day drinking that always left one addled.

"To see if it - if I hurt it," Kieran said, "Or if it'll leave animals alone."

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