Page 49 of Wolf's Endgame

Tears dripped off my chin. “He’s really okay?”

“He’s really okay. She did it.”

I heard more muffled talking, and then an engine roared to life. “You’re driving?”

“Royce is. I’ll be there soon.” I heard a door closing. “Don’t move from there. Don’t shift. Stay out of sight.”

“I will.”

“I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As I handed Lottie back her phone, she handed me a tissue. “Reckon we’ll need more tea.” Looking between me and Maggie, she nodded to herself. “I’ll get you a change of clothes. Maggie, put the kettle on.”

“Why were you in the woods?” It had been bothering me. It was so random for them to be out there.

“Seen a white wolf lurking on the edge of town,” Lottie told me with a gleam in her eye. “Not seen it for a long time. Not since you were last here.”

I swallowed hard. Did they know?

“Been out looking for it for a few days, finally convinced Maggie to come look with me.” She slapped the other woman on the shoulder. “She must be my lucky charm.”

“Did you find it?” I was shaking. “The wolf?”

“Nope. Found you.” Lottie started to walk to the stairs. “I’ll get those clothes. Maggie, we need more tea.” When the other woman didn’t move, Lottie came back and snatched the gun off her, startling her. “Make tea.” Looking at the gun in her hand, she shook her head. “I’ll keep this.” Lottie glanced back at me. “I’m ready to hear more of your story, Zia.”

The problem was, was I ready to tell it?

I watched as Maggie made tea and Lottie handed me a pair of jeans, a sweater, and underwear. It was all mine from before. The fact that she had kept my stuff made me teary-eyed. She’d gestured to the bathroom wordlessly with another meaningful look at Maggie as she did. I understood she wanted five minutes alone with her, and in the bathroom, I pulled on the clothes, splashed water on my face, and did my best to tame my hair.

I looked like a wild woman. No wonder Maggie had been holding onto that gun.

Lottie rapped her knuckles against the door to let me know it was time to come out. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the door open and joined them in the kitchen.

“More tea, Zia?”

“That would be great, thanks.” I watched Maggie as she buttered a thick slice of white bread. When she put it in front of me, I murmured my thanks.

“Are you still on the run?”

It was Maggie who spoke, and it surprised me she went straight to it. Why it did, I wasn’t sure; she’d always been forthright. “No. I believe they dropped the case.”

“But you said you killed them.”

“I did.” I took a bite of the bread, my mouth watering in appreciation. “This is good.”

“No need to sound surprised,” Lottie grumbled. “I buy the bread.”

Maggie and I shared an amused look as I took another bite until she realized what she’d done and looked away hastily. “It’s delicious.” I ignored my disappointment.

“You human?”

I gaped at Lottie. “If you cut me, I bleed.”

“If I cut a fox, it bleeds too.”

“I’m human.” I took a smaller bite of bread. “Mostly.”

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