The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

Author:Aiden Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

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The only ones who looked unbothered were Auristela (whose suit fit like a glove) and Dezi (but he’d look perfect in a paper bag). In front, Auristela waved enthusiastically, gaining a fresh wave of cheers as they walked out onto the dock. Halfway down the ramp, Niya kicked off her boots and proceeded barefoot.

People paused to cheer and wave to the competitors as they walked the main road through the city. Luna led them around a traffic jam that had been caused by a large steer standing in the middle of the street, contentedly chewing on a mouthful of hay. The commuters didn’t seem particularly bothered. They waited patiently in their cars and followed the instructions of Fauna priests redirecting the vehicles so as not to disturb the beast.

Teo saw animal companions everywhere, which made him deeply homesick. His chest ached watching a girl cross the street with a cat riding in her backpack, and again when they passed a panadería where a man and a sloth shared a muffin.

The alebrije sanctuary was massive. Fauna priests led them around the campus on a tour. They showed the semidioses the veterinary clinic where injured and sick alebrijes were tended to with state-of-the-art technology.

A priest was explaining in a monotone the various diets they provided for the different alebrijes in the kitchens when Teo’s attention wandered out the wide windows. Outside, there was a fenced-in area. Much like the spa in La Cumbre, the sanctuary thus far had been emptied of visitors for their private tour. But here, there were actual people.

Not priests in robes, but parents, teens, and loads of kids. Just normal people.

“What’s that?” Teo asked, interrupting the priest midsentence.

“That’s our petting zoo,” he said, the annoyance clear in his voice. “One of the many ways we raise money for the sanctuary. People can pay to come feed alebrijes that wouldn’t be able to survive alone in the wild. It’s a very popular field trip destination.”

Teo smiled. “Awesome, let’s check it out!”

“W-wait!” the priest called after him. “You’re not—”

But Teo didn’t listen. He pushed through the doors and out into the sunlight, Xio and Niya following without question. This looked way more fun than listening to the boring old tour guide. “Can we feed the alebrijes?” Teo asked a priestess at the entrance to the small yard.

When she turned and saw Teo, her eyes went wide, quickly darting among the three of them. “Oh!” She blinked rapidly. “You—you want to?”

“If we can?” Teo asked, exchanging confused looks with Xio. He didn’t understand the startled look on her face.

“They’re so cute!” Niya lamented, her fingers hooked into the fencing.

This caught the attention of the people inside. When they saw the trio, kids and adults alike shared the same surprised look.

“Oh, I mean, I can try to clear everyone out,” the priestess said hurriedly, motioning to a couple other priests standing by for their help.

“You don’t have to make them leave,” Teo told her with an uncertain laugh.

This seemed to fluster the woman even more.

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