Oliver bounced back to the front of the house like a balloon, gripping Stephanie tight on his shoulder. Gideon was still in front of the house when they returned. The bear dropped Stephanie on her knees and stood behind her like a bodyguard; whenever Gideon controlled animals, he made them think like humans.

“Well done, Oliver,” Gideon walked over to him and reached out to the bear on its head, Oliver then bent so Gideon’s hand could reach the top of his head. Gideon then spotted Tyler and Greta who had just returned. “She’s all yours,” he said to them.

Oh, the humiliation for Stephanie, being on her knees in...