A Flutter in the Fold

A sudden puff of cool air drifted past the hem of the thick velvet drape. I crept across the floorboards, keeping my torso low and my clawed toes silent against the polished wood. Deep in the shadow behind the drape, a loose strip of glossy parchment hung trembling in the draft. My head petals flared open with a sharp, dry rustle as I leaned close to listen. I reached out a single clawed digit, pinned the fluttering slip against the wall baseboard, and let out a satisfied raspy chitter into the silence.