“Wait, you already know where you are?” Puck demanded as we edged toward the mouth of the alley, stepping over trash and piles of debris. “How does that work, cat?” “Most cities are very much the same, Goodfellow.” Grimalkin reached the edge of the sidewalk and peered back, waving his tail. “Trods are everywhere, if you know where to look. Also, I am a cat.” And he trotted off down the street.”

“Grimalkin yawned and licked his whiskers. 'Not dead,' he replied. 'Hardly dead. But she changed her name and appearance so many times, even the oldest fey would hardly remember her. She likes to keep a low profile, you know.' Puck frowned, knitting his bows together. 'Then how is it you remember her?' he demanded, sounding indignant. 'I am a cat,' purred Grimalkin.”

“How do you know your way around this place, Grim?”Grimalkin blinked. “I am a cat,” he said, and vanished down one of thetunnels.”

“Did I ever mention how much I hate cats?”“Do not blame me, Goodfellow.” Grimalkin blinked, managing to sound bored and indignant at the same time. “I was minding my own business long before you and the princess started humping like rabbits.”Puck snorted. Rolling to his stomach, he pushed himself off the bed and pulled me up with him, wrapping me in his arms.”

“Grim, wait. Are you sure you'll be all right?"Grimalkin smiled. "I am a cat."And, just like that, he was gone.”

“Well,” Puck said cheerfully, forcing a rather pained smile, “it’s just like old times, isn’t it? You, me, ice-boy, the future of the Nevernever hanging in the balance…we just have to wait for Furball to show up and then it’ll be perfect.” “He is already here, Goodfellow,” came a familiar voice behind us, sounding bored and offended all at once. “Where he has been for much of the conversation, waiting for you to see past the end of your nose.” “Yep.” Puck sighed as we all turned to face Grimalkin. “Just like old times.”

“I closed my eyes instead. And Puck kissed me.“If you are going to do that, would you mind not jostling the bed so much?”came a sarcastic voice near the headboard. “Perhaps you could roll around on the floor.”Blushing furiously, I looked up. Grimalkin lay on the pillow, watching us witha bemused, half-lidded stare. Puck followed my gaze and let out an explosive sigh.“Did I ever mention how much I hate cats?”“Do not blame me, Goodfellow.” Grimalkin blinked, managing to soundbored and indignant at the same time. “I was minding my own business long before you and theprincess started humping like rabbits.”