“Lynx, sweetie. I get it. I can’t touch Rez because it will hurt her. She’s my best friend, and I don’t want to take that chance, but can I help you?” Looking me in the eye, he lifts his head a little and drops it down in a concise motion. I’m taking that as a nod. Cheese and whiskers, I hope he doesn’t eat me. I’ve never seen a kitty this big before. And, of course, the only thing I can think about is riding him like a horse. That would be so cool.
I hear Lynx scoff at me, and I tilt my head and smile.
“I said that out loud, huh?” My hands tremble as I get closer, but he doesn’t growl or move his paws to attack. I make it to the edge of the bed, and before I can set down his water bowl, his tongue lolls out of his mouth. Setting it down on the end of the bed, some of the water swooshes out, but I back up quickly and watch as he licks the bowl clean.
“Is there any way we can see her?” I ask, and Lynx growls. “I mean, obviously not touch her, but I just got here, and I didn’t even know she was in the hospital. I’m worried, and so is JP. Can we at least lay eyes on her? We promise not to touch.” I wait patiently for a sign—any sign that I can see my bestie. Pleading, I bob up and down a few times until I get a nod.
YES!
Grasping JP’s hand, we move closer to look at her but keep our distance. Her hair is drenched, her face is pale, and there looks to be blood seeping down her cheeks. Shit. I feel the tension rolling off of JP, and I gently pull him back.
“Remember, we have to trust Lynx here. He has a deeper connection to Rez than we do,” I caution, and he follows my lead back in front of Lynx.
“Thank you, your royal furriness,” I say with a curtsey.
Lynx bows in return, and we all grab a seat to wait for the final verdict.
Chapter Thirty-Three
That went Tits up
Rez
Ifeel like a weight is sitting on my chest, but at least I can feel my body now, and it feels… great, actually. Cracking open my eyes slowly, I’m greeted by hairy tiger balls about to tea-bag me.
“Gah!” I shriek, slapping at them like a speed bag.The bed shakes as the tiger jumps up and spins around to bare his teeth at me.
‘Ahh! Woman, what do you think you’re doing? I still want to be able to use those one day.’
‘Oh shit. Lynx! Omg, I’m so sorry.’
His eyes soften, and he shoves his big black head into my face, licking me excessively on my cheeks as he starts purring so deep that my bed shakes. Wait… do tigers purr? Kittens do. Are tigers big kittens? Whatever the rumble is close enough. Returning the love, I squeeze him as tight as I can, which isn’t much because of his size.
‘Is this a new form?’
‘Yeah, I had to Rezzi. They were trying to touch you, and it might have killed you. I won’t risk your life. Ever. You are mine to protect, always.’
Tears start pooling as his heartfelt words sink in. He really would do anything for me. Trying to look around, I can’t see much with him hovering over me, but I notice curtains hanging around the sides of the bed I’m in.
I hear some rustling behind Lynx, but he lets out a warning growl and whoever was behind him skedaddles away.Fuck, I’m in the hospital, aren’t I?
‘What happened?’
Before he can answer, I hear Moni scolding Lynx in her serious voice.
“Lynx! If she’s up, you better move your hairy ass and let us see her,” she demands. She pops up over his head and lands between his ears.
‘They have been annoying as hell lately.’His ears flick in annoyance, and I just laugh. The sound of chairs scrape around the space, and feet hustle over.
Lynx shrinks down to his original cat form and hops off the bed.‘I’m going to piss. I’ve been holding it forever,’he huffs.
Grateful for him as he trots off, I look up and find five faces in different states of relief. Reaching over to the side of the bed, I raise the head so I’m sitting up, making myself more comfortable.
Moni’s bobbing up and down as tears stream down her cheeks. She rushes me first and hugs me tight, crying into my shoulder. “I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up,” she sniffles.
“I’m fine, really. But what happened?” I ask, looking around at the room quickly. It looks like everyone is here. Levi, Zeke, JP, Ryker, and Moni.
“What happened!” She shrieks, wiping at her eyes. “I was going to ask you that,” she says in annoyance.
