Swiftcurrent Creek Keep your heart 'cause I already got one

Mae heaved a sigh. Even muffled and high-pitched with pain, Hirundo's voice was unmistakable. Whatever he'd gotten himself into this time, she would surely have to get him out of it — and if there was a touch of haste in her step, it was only to stop him making that awful noise any longer than necessary. Certainly she wasn't worried.

The scent of his blood wasn't strong, but its existence flattened her ears to her head nonetheless. Quit flailing around! Mae hissed, hurrying closer to inspect him. She smelled the bird, too, but that was less important than whatever had him yelping a hole through her eardrums.