Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu Chapters 15-19

to get down : DISMOUNT

She would alight just before the edge of the wood and unfurl herself.

showing or feeling little concern : NONCHALANT

The way one would touch the other casually, a hand on the shoulder, a brush against the cheek.

the condition that exists when people have developed effective ways of organizing a society and care about art, science, etc.

She smelled smoke and saw the faint glow of something like civilization.

to reduce to a lower grade or rank

He demoted the penguin for insubordination.

the quality or state of being filled with joy or pride

Her expression was not of beauty or elation but something like pain.

to come out from a source

Her face was right up against Hazel's now, enough so that Hazel could smell the odor of decay that emanated from her.

a state of being very tired

But when she arrived at the market, she forgot her fatigue and simply stared at the scene before her.

having escaped from the care of people and become wild

The other walked parallel to her — a feral shadow.

feeling or showing a lot of fear and worry

Hazel looked frantically from one to the other.

very thin and bony (as from illness or hunger)

Nearly colorless hair hung in deadened strings over her shadowy, gaunt face.

not obeying authority : DISOBEDIENT

He demoted the penguin for insubordination.

covered with a thick growth of healthy plants

It was a thick, lush blanket of color.

to hold the complete attention of : FASCINATE

Hazel took a step toward the bird, mesmerized.

decorated in a fancy way

Perched on a small table in front of the bookshelves in the back of the room was an ornate gold birdcage with its door open.

lying or moving in the same direction but always the same distance apart

The path had been running parallel to it.

to see into or through

He leaned over her, eyes penetrating her defenses, and whispered, "What does your heart yearn for?"

too confident especially in a way that is rude

"Please don't call me presumptuous."

to search through quickly and roughly often to steal something

She bent down and began rifling through the box.

showing or feeling regret for something done

Hazel looked up at the guard, whose face was rueful and whose body seemed cloaked by more than wool.

something that saves from danger or difficulty

She rounded a bend in the path and saw her salvation.

making someone do or want something : very attractive

"The witch is seductive. She will offer you things that seem good."

having or showing true and constant support for someone or something

You would sigh and think of the steadfast birdkeeper and his bird sister and the marvelous tragedy of it all.

feeling or showing care or understanding

All three heads tilted sympathetically.

seeming like real life because it is very clear, bright, or detailed

It was like a movie version of an enchanted garden, gorgeous, vivid, and too beautiful to be real.