Page 18 of Lost Girl

“Right, Tavi?”

The sound of my name brings me back. “Huh, what?” I shake the plethora of questions from my mind.

Tigerlily shoots me a subtle glare, forcing a smile. “I was telling the Captain that you might have another wolf joining the pack. A female.”

Goddamn her big ass mouth.

“Oh, yeah. There’s a chance, but we won’t know for another few weeks,” I answer curtly.

“Interesting,” Hook muses, taking a sip from his flute. “I’ve not come across a female shifter in all my years.”

“Mhmmm.” That’s all I return, draining what remains in my glass.

If I didn’t want to shake his hand, why the fuck would he assume I’m going to engage in any sort of conversation with him? I’m not one to make small talk anyway.

I hate that shit.

“PLEASE, HELP!PLEASE!SOMEBODY!”

I nearly shatter the flute in my grip this time, gritting down on my jaw as the sound latches onto my eardrums like an eagle’s talons. Hook and everyone else around me remain unaffected, carrying on with their conversations as if that piercing scream isn’t breaching the soundwaves above the serene instrumentals.

There’s no way these other leeches don’t hear it, there’s just no way. They’re flat-out ignoring it, which only makes the circumstances that more paramount.

I have to find her.

The thought hits me before I can so much as process my next move.

“Do you have a washroom?” I ask Hook directly, passing my sister the now-emptied glass.

“Of course. Go right through those French doors over there and make a left. There’s a powder room beneath the staircase.”

I tip my head. You know, seemingly gracious and all that. “Thank you.”

“Tavi,” my sister warns, nearly grating it out. The look in her widened brown eyes tells me she knows I’m about to go do something I should not be doing.

Sorry, lil’ sis. Duty calls.

“I’ll be right back,” I assure her with a soft smile, keeping my tone even.

Then I’m off, striding through the masses at a steady pace. The situation may be dire, but even a hint that I’ve caught on will blow my cover.

And we all know he’s watching my every fucking move.

Hook’s palace looks exactly how I’d imagined it. Dark paneling, crimson rugs running the expanse of the wooden floors, gold details and accents highlighting everything. I make the left he directed, only at a slower pace, biding my time, listening. I’ve just found the bathroom he mentioned whenfinallyI hear it again.

Please. Help me. Someone help—all the same cries, only hoarser, somewhat softer. They’re coming from somewhere behind me, not too far away, either, based on range.

With a quick eye, I scan my surroundings, ensuring I’m still alone. There’s no one down either end of the corridor, springing me into action. Careful steps led by frustrated sobs take me back the way I came.

I round the corner on a left and fly past the doors, hoping like hell Hook didn’t catch remnants of my shadow as I crossed.

C’mon, woman—scream for me again,I think to myself.

And seconds later,she does.

“PLEASEEE…” She’s exhausted, but still going, probably because she can hear the festivities taking place.

I don’t know how the fuck I’m going to get her out of here, but I’ll figure that out once I finally find her.

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