Page 80 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

Drywall was now just another word for door in my book. Ramming a chair leg into a section, I created the start of a hole big enough for my hand. Zoe helped me pull away the pieces until we had it big enough for us to kick through to the other side.

“He’s going to hear us,” she said when the first chunk fell into the hall.

“Then hurry.”

As soon as we managed an opening wide enough for us to crawl through, we pushed our way into the hall. Drywall dust coated my skin, and bits of insulation clung to Zoe’s hair, but neither of us took time to care. We raced down the hall and veered toward the front door.

“Check for the giant,” I said, going for a window.

“Clear. The car’s gone, too,” Zoe said from her window.

A high-pitched yip startled me, and I looked down at Sir Cuddles.

“Shh.” Zoe was already trying to lift her window, and it wasn’t moving. Even though I knew my attempt would be pointless, I still tried the door. My gaze once again went to the puppy.

“How did Sir Cuddles get in here?”

“I don’t know. I was messing with the bedroom window when I heard my door open and close behind me. I think the dragon guy tossed him in like the sandwich.”

“Unlikely since he was with me the entire time.”

We both looked at the puppy for half a second before Zoe moved away from the window and patted her knees for Sir Cuddles.

“Do you know where the keys are?” she asked in a sweet voice.

The creature started making whining noises, and his butt wiggled with excitement.

“Can you go get them for me? Get the keys, Sir Cuddles.”

Pivoting, he bolted for the kitchen. Zoe shrugged at me and joined me at my window. Together, we tried to lift the seemingly stuck sash.

“I think it’s magically locked,” I panted, giving up. “Like the doors.”

Something hit the floor behind us, and we both spun to look at Sir Cuddles. A bag of peas lay at his feet.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” The grin on Zoe’s face grew. “He can understand us!”

“He got peas, not keys.”

“But it’s so close.” She went to pick up the bag, but Sir Cuddles beat her to it. With the bag in his mouth, he playfully backed up a step.

“We don’t have time for this, Zoe. Neither does Chloe.”

“Right. I’ll check the kitchen windows. You check the dining room.”

I ducked into the dining room and pulled back the curtains to find floor to ceiling windows that didn’t open. I slapped the glass in frustration and felt the pane vibrate under my palm. Could I break it? Anything openable was locked. But we’d broken through a wall.

Break it.

The thought echoed in my head as I turned and went to the kitchen.

“Nothing there. It’s a—”

My gaze swept the open space, and I walked around the counter in confusion.

“Zoe?” There was no answer.

“Zoe?” Not even a yip from Sir Cuddles.

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