Because honestly? At this point, why not?
“You’re taking this surprisingly well,” he says.
“I’m compartmentalizing,” I reply. “There’s a difference.”
A flicker of something—almost amusement—passes through his expression.
“Do you want to see again?” he asks. “Would that help or hurt?”
I hesitate. Do I? Part of me screams no. Because once I see it for a second time… once I know it’s not just a crazy hallucinatory one-off?—
Once it’s real?—
There’s no going back. But another part of me?—
The stubborn, curious, refuses-to-back-down part?—
Leans forward.
“Yes,” I say.
His expression shifts. More serious now.
“Are you sure?”
A long pause. Then I nod before gasping and holding up a hand.
“Wait! I mean… I’m assuming… I’m sure…” I groan. “It’s safe right?”
I nod, softening.
“You are always absolutely safe with me, in either form.”
She exhales slowly, satisfied, nodding again.
“Alright. Why don’t you sit back down this time?” He takes my arm, leading me gently back to the chair I collapsed in moments ago before backing up several feet.
I expect… something dramatic. I know I’ve seen this once already, but I was still unprepared. Now, I watch closely, watching to catch every nuance. I expect something magical. Anything. A slow transformation. A flash of light. A cinematic moment that gives my brain time to adjust.
That’s not what happens.
It’s fast. Too fast. One second he’s standing there?—
The next, the space he occupied is filled with something else entirely. Massive. Powerful.
A tiger. A real, actual tiger. My breath leaves me in a rush.
“Oh my God.”
I press myself into the back of the chair, gripping the arms.
He’s—
He’s enormous. Bigger than I expected. Broader. Stronger. His fur catches the light in deep gold and shadowed black, muscles shifting beneath it with every subtle movement. And his eyes?—
They’re the same. The exact same eyes. Watching me. Aware. Intelligent. Archer.
“Okay,” I whisper. “Okay, that’s?—”
