Emotion clogged Katy’s throat.She crossed the space between them and sat next to him, then pulled Otto into a fierce hug.“You’re the best friend I could have asked for in all this madness,” she whispered.And he really was.Otto was a gift, and she was so thankful that she’d gotten to be a small part of his long life.
“I never had a Katy before.”
She smiled.“You mean a friend?”
“Someone not want something in return,” Otto explained.“I would serve you, mistress.How Otto serve you if you be gone?”
His voice cracked, and Katy’s heart did as well.No matter what decision she made, she was going to hurt someone.
“I’m sorry.I’m sorry you were forced to bite me, and I’m sorry I’m hurting you.That’s not what I want.”
Otto patted her hand and then jumped down from the chair.“Eat,” he told her as he headed for the door.“Otto need think.”Then he was gone, the door closing behind him.
“Damn,” Katy muttered as she stared at the place he’d sat moments ago.Was everyone going to be mad at her for doing what she thought was the right thing?
Katy paced the plush carpet of the bedroom, worry gnawing at her gut.She paused to peer out the window into the moonlit night, hoping for some sign of Otto’s return.
The little lizard had slipped away hours ago, needing time to process everything he’d heard on her phone call with Lola and Maddie.Katy couldn’t blame him.The choice before her was almost impossibly cruel.
A sound at the door brought her whirling around.Otto scuttled inside, his scales pale and his eyes anxious.He twisted his clawed hands together, not quite meeting her gaze.
“Otto?What is it?”Katy asked gently.Something was very wrong.
He flinched, shoulders hunching.“Forgive me, but he would never allow it.”
Realization dawned like a blow.“You told Gage.”
At that moment, the bedroom door crashed open.Gage stormed in, radiating fury and anguish.His wolf's eyes seared her, jaw clenched to contain his roar.
Otto whimpered, disappearing into the shadows.But Katy stood her ground as Gage advanced.She lifted her chin, resolute.
“It’s my life,” she said quietly.“Mychoice.”
Gage gripped her shoulders with a force just shy of painful.“The hell it is,” he growled.“I won’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
Katy’s heart clenched.She cradled his face in her hands, wishing she could erase the torment there.“If I don’t, innocent blood will be shed.Can you ask me to live with that on my conscience?”
Gage turned his head, nipping at her palm.When he met her eyes again, his were haunted.
“You don’t know the agony of being left behind,” he rasped.“I cannot … will not … lose you, too.”
Tears burned Katy’s eyes.She rose on tiptoe, impulsively brushing her lips over his in aching tenderness.If she was going to die, she was going to at least take the memory of his lips with her.“Oh, Gage.If there was any other way…”
Gage crushed her close, desperation pouring off him.They clung together as precious seconds slipped away.Katy hadn’t mentioned the time frame that Visata had given her.And she wasn’t about to now.
Finally, Gage released a shattered breath.When he drew back, granite resolve filled his expression.“Centuries ago in Damaria, there was unrest among our people,” he began, the words tight in his throat.He paced as he spoke.“Factions from various kingdoms rose, wanting to prevent Damarians from leaving our realm because they knew they would lose power if we left Damaria.”
His eyes grew distant, seeing phantoms from the past.“My kind, the dire wolves, had been appointed by the Creator to safeguard the Shaman, the holy ones who would guide our people.We fought against this chaos, defending the Shaman as they worked to open a gateway to your realm.”
Gage absently ran his fingers through his hair.“I was among the first to cross through, ensuring none with ill intent made it to the other side.But unbeknownst to me, a great battle raged back home.My kin sacrificed themselves so the Shaman could complete the spell.When it was done, the gateway closed behind them, sealing me here.”He stalked over to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly to him.“All of my people, my pack, gone in one stroke.While I…” His voice broke.“I survived, yet I may as well have died with them.Alone, no kin or kind.The last dire wolf.”
Katy’s heart broke for him.No wonder he’d closed himself off, appearing untouchable from the moment she’d met him.She turned into him, threading her fingers through his hair and brushing her lips over his.
Gage’s eyes blazed, hope and longing warring with fear.“I didn’t know if I was strong enough to open my heart again.The pain of losing you…” He cut his words off, then shook his head.“I will find another way,” he vowed fiercely.“One where we both walk away from this alive.Trust me, Katy Dire.”
His ferocious conviction stole her breath.Katy silently prayed he was right.That, somehow, fate would grant them more stolen moments together.But at the same time, she couldn’t dismiss how selfish it was to ask him to stay with her, knowing her time was quickly coming to an end.“Maybe, just until we know for sure what’s going to happen, I should go stay with Lola.”The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Gage pulled back, and he looked as if she’d slapped him.“You’re.Not.Going.Anywhere,” he insisted.“We’re in this together now.I believe we were meant to find each other.Have faith, mate.Our story is just beginning.”
