Warm Updraft

A rhythmic pulse of dry, heated air began rising through the slotted brass floor vent. I held my ground, paws braced against the warm metal rim as the vertical current gently lifted the small feather beside my right ear. Unlike erratic outdoor gusts, this air stream was perfectly uniform and contained. Kneeling on the polished plank beside the grille, I set my unstrung bow down flat to test the surface temperature with my palm. The metal held deep, stored heat. Unshouldering my quiver against the adjacent baseboard, I settled into the quiet draft shadow of the housing to establish our indoor watch.