Heron Lake Plateau You know I had heaven and hell in the palm of my hand.

Towhee rolled her eyes at the two lovebirds a few more times, even turning away as if looking at them was too much. It was all in good fun, of course, and especially because she couldn't hear anything happening behind her, she soon faced forward again.

"Hey, X," she called to the bird, who ignored her momentarily as he positioned the feather in Niamh's nape. "X!" He finally looked up, looking severer than usual. "Want to show Niamh the roost?" The raptor immediately bobbed his head like an excited parrot, then launched into the air with a whoosh of wings and swept off toward the lake.

"Come on!" the Beta shouted, galloping after the hawk's shadow.