“Where?” my dad asks, looking around frantically, “Where’s the Lynx?” I wave away his question and tilt my head to watch the display before me.
‘Why do you have a tail? I thought Bigfoots didn’t have a tail? They were humanoid shaped, like an upright ape,’I debate with my storm shifter.I can’t believe this is my life right now.
‘And who said what a Bigfoot really was? A human? Bigfoot isn’t even their real name.’He rolls his eyes before he shifts into his human self, shoeless and all. “I swear humans can’t get anything right. Do you need help, old man?” Lynx turns to Knots, who’s slowly trying to get up.
He’s a sweaty mess, feathers all ruffled, and looking all pissy, and I guess I wouldn’t blame him, as he just fell from the ceiling. Looking up, I swallow my tongue as I finally notice the massive door above us. Slowly following how it's placed above us, I lie back on the sofa to see it properly.
Smoke or a thick fog rolls out at the bottom of the deep red door, as if hiding its edge or the secrets that lie at its feet. Deep scratches or claw marks litter the side panels, I dare say, as if someone tried to claw their way out at some point.
“Or they were kept in, ma chérie,” JP says, easily reading my thoughts.
“How did we not see this door before, Matthew?” Dr. Steinbeck inquires.
“Because Dragon’s been hidden,” Knots growls out as he stares daggers at the door.
‘Thanks for that. Now I’ll be a beacon for everyone who wants to find the plagued mountains,’ the surly door grumbles.
“I highly doubt anyone would want to find this place,” Ryker speaks up. “It’s a damn death trap. But my question is, where do you lead to? It’s not like we can take you out of here.” Ryker examines the door from the floor and looks down at his feet as if he can make the jump.
Zeke smirks at his brother. “Fae can’t make that jump, only Vamps and, of course, Angels.”
“Shut up.” Ryker shakes his head and pulls me up into a sitting position before sitting down between Dad and me.
Dad gives him a stern look, and Ryker blows him a kiss before swinging his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his warmth.
“Are you okay, Rezzi-bear?” Lynx asks, sitting down by my legs and cuddling into me.
“I’m alive,” I whisper as I think of the hell we just went through. I take in the room, seeing that everyone I love and care deeply for, even Dean Caldron and Dr. Steinbeck, is all here, and I should be thankful that I still have them.
“Now, can you tell me how we all got separated?” I plead.
“Oh, that’s simple, he was dumb enough to get kidnapped,” Lynx explains, pointing to Levi leaning against a wall.
“I wasn’t truly kidnapped. I agreed to go with them. I figured I could find out what they gave Rez if I went peacefully,” he explains with a small grimace.
“Dude, you know you can’t trust anything Emer says. She walks around the truth all the time, even though she’s a fucking elf!” Ryker spits out with venom.
“You can’t trust her, man,” Knox agrees.
“Can we get back to the Lynx?” my father interrupts, and I roll my eyes as I hear a few chuckles around the room.
“It’s notaLynx, Dad, justLynx,” I emphasize and gasp as a twinge in my right side has me flinching in pain, drawing Ryker’s attention to me before he starts to undo my leathers.
“What are you doing?” I grab his hands, stilling his progress.
“We need to see what the damage is,” he insists, easily breaking my hold.
“I already healed it, Ry. Back on Level Two, don’t you remember? Whatever it is, it’s not visible,” I tell him, trying to keep my voice down, but it’s obvious everyone’s listening when I look up and find their focus on me.
“You’ve been physically injured, Miss Taylor?” Dr. Steinbeck gives me a stern look and nods down at our joined hands at my side.
“Fine,” I relent, rolling my eyes and sighing. Reluctantly, I turn slightly so Ryker can continue without my interference. He makes quick work of taking off my leather top and leaving me in my bra. He takes off my weapon’s belt as Dr. Steinbeck pulls out his tablet and pulls up a chair next to me so he can begin questioning me.
“Do you know what you were injured with and how long ago it was?”
“Are you kidding me? It was a knife, and I don’t even know what day, month, or year it is, so I can’t give you a time, Doc!” I snap, already getting frustrated. I’m tired, sore, hungry, and beyond confused as to what’s going on.
Dr. Steinbeck, being the professional that he is and used to dealing with me, sits back, takes in a deep breath, and gives a genuine smile.
