Page 35 of Lost Girl

Another shifter perk that comes in handy more often than not.

As I close in on the door, I slow my stride and center my hearing. Nothing, not even a pin drop can be heard, which leads me to wonder...

Is she still down here?

The possibility she isn’t rocks me to my core, thrashing my heart against my ribcage. I’ve feared it since the day I found her, have feared what would happen if Tinksley did decide to move her elsewhere. Truth be told, I’m as scandalized as my sister is about her behavior. We’ve always known Tinksley to be a sweet girl, but watching her interaction with Wendy has impelled me to view her through different eyes. I don’t trust her and that’s the most worrisome part.

Would she really hurt her or was that all for show?

C’mon, mama—please still let her be here. Please let her be safe.

Cantering toward the door, I’m relieved to find it still propped open with the small wooden plank I’d shoved between the jam. My snout won’t fit to pry it open, but a few swats of my paw and I’m able to jut it back, wedging myself inside the dewy confines of the dungeon with ease.

It’s as dark and silent as the tunnel. A quick yet deep whiff of the air assures there aren’t any vampires down here, either. Takes nothing more than a few careful steps, every sense hyper aware of my surroundings when I feel Wendy. Her heartbeat comes steady, breaths even as if she’s sleeping.

A good sign, but not enough to calm me.

Head low, I creep up to the edge of the shadows where the moonlight just barely pours in through the small windows, and seek her out. She’s there, in the same spot I found her, although I immediately note one main and highly significant difference.

The shackles are gone.

She’s free, unharmed, yet still sitting in a curled up ball. Seeing she’s alive and well assuages some of that anxiety for her well-being, but not all. She just looks so tiny and afraid. I wish I could read her mind and get a feel for how much damage has been done. The scars Tinksley and these leeches could leave behind are the worst kind, ones rooted so deep within the mind, some people never come back from it.

I hope like hell that’s not the case for Wendy, but I mean, look at her.

Stepping into the light, I scratch my nails against the concrete with purpose and offer a soft whine. Wendy flinches on a gasp, head snapping upward toward the unexpected sounds, those sky blue eyes of hers widening as she tightens her hold on her knees.

Her entire vibe plummets in seconds as controlled fear courses through her being.Just like the last time.I wouldn’t expect anything different—a wolf double her size just magically appeared feet away from her without a trace.

I need to calm her, show her she can trust me. Show her that it’sme. Hopefully she’ll remember.

Very carefully so as not to frighten her more, I sink to a lying position and cock my head aside, forcing another soft whine to establish my intentions.

I’m not going to hurt you.

Her eyes narrow questioningly, curiously, and then I see it, the moment recognition colors all of her angel-like features.

“T-Tavi?” she whispers.

I throw my head in a single nod and scoot a ways closer, tail wagging slightly from side to side. Wendy gasps and shuffles onto her knees, expression nothing short of awed as she takes me in.

“Oh my God. You reallyarea wolf.”

No shit,I think to myself, a chastising-like huff shooting out from my nose. Her cheeks redden as if she understands, a small, abashed smile stretching across her full lips. She scoffs a little laugh, too, and tentatively reaches out with a seeking hand.

The mere sight of her beckoning me has me scurrying closer in nothing flat. I’m not even fully at her side when she throws her arms around me, face burying deep in my coat around what sounds like a sigh of relief.

Not gonna lie—I feel myself almost melt into her too, my jaw falling to the top of her head.

Thank you, Ma. Thank you for keeping her safe.

“I didn’t think you’d really come back,” she admits, the words muffled against my fur. “Can we get out of here now?”

Shit.

It didn’t occur to me until then that my showing up could prompt confusion for her. I definitely can’t get her out of here tonight and I have no way of telling her as much.

Fuck!

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