“You’ve got to trust me, Otto.”Slick’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward.“I just want her safe.”
Katy didn’t stir when Otto climbed up on her stomach.Her chest and stomach continued to rise and fall with her breath.So she was still in the fight.Finally, he stepped down onto the table and changed forms.Then he sat on the edge of the table, unwilling to put more space between him and his friend.“Hows you find us?Building not seeable.”
“Azure brought me.I convinced him that I want Katy as my mate, and I’m willing to challenge Gage for her.”
Otto snorted.“You?”
Slick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.“I needed to find out where he’d taken her.I’ve texted Gage so he will know where to look.When he arrives, it’s going to get ugly.There’s probably going to be some loud?—”
His words were cut off by a thunderous explosion that shook the building.
“Guess he’s here.Damn, they flew fast.”Slick stood up and began untying the straps holding Katy down.
Otto hurried to help him.As soon as she was untied, Slick started to pick her up, but the door to the building slammed open, hitting the wall so hard it sounded like a gunshot.
“Put her down.”Gage’s voice dripped with rage.
Otto backed up as the dire wolf walked farther into the building.He wasn’t in his human form or his beastwalker form.He was in the form the Creator had blessed their kind with when they guarded the Shaman.A huge beast that walked on two legs.He resembled what humans depicted as werewolves, but on an even more spectacular scale.He was easily seven and a half feet tall or more.Blood dripped down his shoulder, and sweat beaded across his flesh.Slick also backed away as Gage approached.
Gage’s gaze ran over Katy, then he scooped her up in his powerful arms.“Otto, climb up.”
Otto didn’t have to be told twice.He clambered up Gage’s back, using the rough texture of his fur to gain purchase.When he reached Gage’s shoulder, he shifted into his beastwalker form so he’d fit a little better and could hold on tighter.
“Thank you, Slick.I might never have found her if you hadn’t been able to tell me about this building.”
“What was the explosion, Gage?”
“Diversion,” Gage explained.“I’ll be back once Katy is safe.I owe your king a gift for the care he gave my mate.”
Gage turned to leave, but Slick stopped him.“Wait.Her life is tied to ten of the women in this building.She might not live.”
A low rumble traveled up Gage’s chest.“She will live.The mate bond will supersede any other connection.Once it’s complete, it will sever the ties with these females.Speaking of which, you need to call the human authorities and report their whereabouts.And then get away from here until I reach out to you.I’m not concerned with collateral damage, but I’ll try to lessen it if I can.”
Otto tapped Gage.He wanted to go.The longer they stayed, the more of a chance Azure had at catching them.
“Yes, I hear you.We’re going.”Gage started walking for the door again.“Tell Myron to get out of town for a while, too,” Gage called back to the snake.“And be thinking of who will make a suitable replacement king and queen for the Kingdom of Venom.”
They stepped out into the night air.“Hold on.I’m going to run to our vehicle.We’re parked a good distance away.”Then Gage took off.Using his supernatural speed, he moved so fast that the world became all one color around Otto.He closed his eyes and buried his face against the dire wolf’s fur.He was free.Katy was free.Maybe there was a chance she would be okay.Gage would do everything he could to make sure she was.Otto would just pray to Visata and trust his new friend to fight for this new life.For the first time that Otto could remember, he actuallywantedto see what tomorrow would hold.There was a spark of excitement at what the future held with Katy and Gage a part of his life.Otto wouldn’t have to live in fear any longer.As long as Katy lived… She just had to live.
Nausea roiled in Katy’s stomach as she tried to fight the deep sleep that had dragged her under.She pushed up and rolled to the side, right off the bed.She landed on all fours on a very thick carpet.A trash can appeared in front of her face before she could ruin said carpet.Her hair was pulled away from her face as another hand ran up and down her back gently.She groaned as her stomach heaved, but there was nothing in it, so there was nothing to puke up.This went on for several agonizing minutes.
Finally, she pushed back and sat on her haunches.She wiped her mouth and blinked, clearing away the sleep.Her body was weak.She also ached like she’d been beaten with a tire iron and then ran over by a bus.
“Let’s get you back into bed,” a familiar deep voice said, and then she was in his arms, scooped up as if she weighed nothing.He settled her down on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.
Katy sank back against the pillow, taking in her surroundings with bewildered eyes.She was in an unfamiliar bedroom, plush and elegant yet rugged.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder.She looked up into piercing, green eyes filled with concern.
“Gage,” she rasped as the memories came rushing back.The voodoo spell, the cage room, Otto’s frantic face.“Otto.”Her voice was tight with emotion as she thought of her little sidekick.
Gage’s jaw tightened.“You’re safe now.I’ve got you.Otto is safe.”Gage’s large frame seemed to vibrate with barely leashed violence.
Katy’s chest tightened as a realization hit her.“The spell… Am I still tied to those women?”
“The connections are still there,” Gage said grimly as he climbed into the bed behind her.“But our bond fights their hold.You’ll recover in time.”
She could tell there was something he wasn’t telling her.But even still, Katy couldn’t stop from sagging back against him, weak with relief.She was free, sort of, from the Snake King, thanks to her unexpected protector.
