The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland Page B

she roared, bounding onto the top of the van. She landed with a thud and a screech of claws on metal. Her wings brushed the ceiling, nearly blotting out the light from the single bulb.
    Zoe was sure the griffin didn’t mean to hurt any of them, but in her rage and in such a small space, she easily might by accident. They needed Matthew and his calming hands. Or a tranq gun . . . She raised her head a little to look at the gun chest on the far side of the room. Maybe if she could get to it. . . .
    She began a slow army crawl, wriggling along the wall.
    â€œAWKAWKAWKOOOOOAR!” the griffin cub howled. Zoe froze and glanced up. Glittering black eyes were fixed on her. The griffin spread her wings and hooked her claws over the edge of the van, ready to pounce.
    â€œClink!” yelled Logan. “Stop!”

SIXTEEN
    T he griffin swiveled her head around in surprise and stared at Logan.
    â€œClink,” he said again. “That’s your name, right?”
    Lucky guess? the griffin wondered.
    â€œNo, I can hear you,” Logan said, climbing to his feet. “Loud and clear.” Clink’s voice in his head vibrated like swords clashing.
    Hear me? Clink flapped her wings. Then GIVE ME! WANT! Treasure! Treasure! TREASURE! She opened her beak and hissed at the Kahns. Her claws flexed menacingly, and they looked a lot more like full-grown lion paws than either Squorp’s or Flurp’s.
    Logan did not want to see those claws sinking into Zoe’s back or that beak stabbing at Blue’s eyes. He could only think of one thing to do. “Here,” he said, fighting past the lump rising in his throat. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his mom’s bracelet. “I have some really important treasure for you to guard. Really, really important. You have to be very careful with it and . . . and make sure it never gets lost and . . .” He stopped, swallowing. Was he really giving Mom’s bracelet away? To a bossy, aggressive four-month-old griffin cub?
    Clink ducked her head to peer at the bracelet. The gold chain glinted in the light, and the twelve charms spun and winked. The one that looked like a bird with big eyes was staring at Logan accusingly. Your mom gave this to you when she traveled. She told you to take care of it for her while she was gone. What if she comes looking for it?
    She won’t. She’s not coming back, Logan thought, remembering the postcard.
    The griffin cub jumped down to the floor, landing on quiet cat feet. She sat on her haunches and neatly lifted the bracelet out of Logan’s hand with one claw. The elephant charm glowed against her dark fur as she turned the bracelet cautiously from side to side.
    Beautiful treasure, Clink breathed softly in Logan’s mind. So delicate. Very important to someone. Full of meaning. Her black eyes were fierce and warm at the same time as she looked into Logan’s face. I will guard it with all the courage of my ancestors.
    Suddenly Logan didn’t feel guilty anymore. He knew she meant it. She would be gentle and careful with it. Mom’s bracelet would be safer with Clink than anywhere in the world.
    â€œMay I see that?” Mr. Kahn asked Clink. She snapped her beak and glared at him, covering the bracelet between her front paws.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Logan told her. “He’s allowed.”
    May look but may not touch, insisted the griffin.
    â€œShe says you can look, but don’t touch it,” Logan explained. Mr. Kahn nodded, and the griffin proudly displayed the gold charm bracelet.
    â€œWhere did you get this?” Mr. Kahn asked Logan. From most adults the question would have sounded accusing, but he only seemed curious.
    Logan wanted the Kahns to know it was okay for Clink to have it, but without making Clink think the bracelet wasn’t important or worth guarding. “It was my mom’s. She’s not around anymore, so I need