Page 114 of Lost Girl

?Afraid, Unafraid - SLUMBERJACK?

Note in hand, I find myself outside of Covent Garden not long after the raven’s delivery. I’ve been here before, many times, but I’d never have guessed witches congregated here. Although, with all the different shops, it kind of makes sense. I’m sure one of these herbal stands holds more than just chamomile and a little lavender. Then again, I hadn’t a clue witches, and other supernatural beings existed back then.

“Wendy,” a soft voice calls suddenly, whipping my head toward the sound. A petite blonde in a flowy coral dress stands to my left, gazing at me with curious green eyes. “We’ve been waiting for you, come.”

That’s all she offers before taking off. She doesn’t so much as look back to see if I’m following, she just goes, clearly expecting me to follow.

Which I do because without her, I never would’ve found them. This place is huge, buzzing alive with tourists, families, seasoned shoppers, and Instagram foodies, especially on sunny days like today.

Please do not let anyone notice me.

Pulling the hood of my coat tighter, I keep my head low and my stare downcast, following the billowing end of her dress. All the while, I’m trying not to think about what this message from Rosewood could possibly be. I hate to even consider it, but what are the chances that I dream something so devastating and then have a coven of witches claim they have a message to deliver from the exact place I dreamt of?

What’s left of my heart wants to claw its way through my chest.

Can’t think this. Don’t think this.

I really can’t, for if I do, it’ll start to sink in, and I don’t want that sinking into my mind. Tavi’s not dead. He just can’t be…

Tavi’s not dead, he’s perfectly fine.I repeat it like a mantra over and over again as I trail behind the girl through the dark cobblestone streets Floral Street, distracting myself with all the shops and even some of the people. Couples, families, friends, we’re surrounded by them and their smiling faces.

From Floral, we turn onto Bow Street, heading down in the direction of the Royal Opera House. I haven’t been here in ages, used to come with dad and grandad as a kid the time. Much like its name, it’s a gorgeous, regal structure overall, but my favorite part is the thick, white columns.

“We’re here,” the girl says as I’m admiring the building. “He’s right over there.”

“Wait, what? The note you had a message for me.”

She smiles warmly and points to the front of the opera house. “He is your message.”

Something about the way she sayshethrows my heart into overdrive. Following her direction, I peer across the street and nearly swallow my tongue at what I see awaiting me on the other side.

My wolf.

The initial sight of him steals all the air from my lungs. I feel like I’m going to collapse, my knees weak, quivering with each step. I must blink hundreds of times, hands rubbing at my eyes to ensure I’m actually seeing what I think I’m seeing.

And it is, it’s my wolf, there’s no mistaking it’s him whatsoever. In a white t-shirt and jeans, he stands tall, bowed lips curving in a smile when he realizes I’ve noticed him. But he’s not alone. Hook stands at his side, head held high as well, his hands shoved into his pockets.

Despite my legs feeling like jello, I’m moving, leaving the witch behind and rushing toward him. Tavi moves, too, jetting across the street in almost nothing flat. I nearly jump for him, utterly desperate to feel him against me, desperate to feel that he’s real and not a figment of my imagination.

“Tavi,” I cry, throwing my arms around his neck as he scoops me up and lifts me off the ground.He’s real, he’s here.“Oh my God, I thought you were dead.”

He stiffens at my remark, then pulls back enough to catch my eyes watering. “What? Why?”

“I dreamt it last night. You were in your wolf form, held down by the same weight I feel, bleeding, and I thought you were—”

His expression softens knowingly, and before I can blink, he’s crushing me against his chest, hand threading into my hair. “Shhh. None of that matters now. I’m here, little wolf. I’m fine.”

Fisting the back of his shirt, I cling to him like he’ll disappear at any moment, shaking my head as tears fall of their volition. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“So did I,” he admits, a pain so strikingly similar to my own weighing down his tone.

I hate it, and what I hate most is that I made him feel that.

Peering up at him, I see the torment in his eyes, too, my lower lip trembling as I mentally cuss myself to hell and back for putting up both through this. “Get me out of here, Tavi, please. I can’t be here, not without you.”

“Are they looking for you?” He cuts his glance around us, analyzing every person who walks past us.

“I think so, yes. There was a notice on my door about the flat being seized for a continued investigation. I was so scared when I saw it. Ended up running to the park and seeking refuge beneath one of the bridges. I would’ve left with Tinksley, but she was already gone by then.”

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