"You like transformations?" I smiled watching him.
He bobbed his head, several eyes blinking in sequence.
"No," Fenric tone firm, catching the exchange in the mirror. "Absolutely not. That entity is not allowed to transform anything."
Horrace deflated slightly, making a sad musical note that somehow perfectly captured the essence of disappointment.
"His name is Horrace," I reminded Fenric for what felt like the tenth time. "And he hasn't done anything wrong. He's just lost and scared."
Rook turned fully in his seat, his amber eyes studying the manticore with unexpected thoughtfulness. "How did you know it, he, was the monster from the prophecy?"
I explained what had happened in the swamp, how Horrace had connected with me, and the visions I'd seen of his past with Emma.
"The prophecy markings responded immediately," I showed how the blue symbols on my arm pulsed in rhythm with Horrace's presence. "It's like they recognized him."
"Fascinating," Fenric admitted reluctantly. "But still highly irregular. There are protocols for inter-dimensional entities, forms that need to be filed, containment procedures..."
"He's not going to be contained," I felt Horrace's fear spike at the word. "He's coming with me until we can find Emma. That's final."
Rook and Fenric exchanged a look that spoke volumes.
"What?" I narrowed my eyes. "What aren't you telling me?"
"We received a message from Dr. Thornwick while you were in the swamp," Rook scratched the back of his head. "He's decoded more of the prophecy. It mentions something about a 'monster's bond' that strengthens the vessel."
"The vessel being you," Fenric clarified unnecessarily.
I processed this new information, unconsciously reaching up to stroke Horrace's side. He purred musically in response, nestling closer.
"So the prophecy wanted me to bond with Horrace?" I glanced down at where his tentacle wrapped around my wrist, covering my prophetic markings.
"It appears so," Fenric admitted grudgingly. "Though the implications are..." He trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.
"What implications?"
Rook answered instead, his voice low and serious. "If your power is tied to the manticore, it changes things. Makes you harder to control."
"Control?" I looked at them sharply. "Is that what this has been about? Keeping me under control?"
The temperature in the SUV seemed to drop. Horrace sensed my anger, his form rippling in response to my emotions. The blue markings on my arm flared, and I felt power building beneath my skin, responding to my distress.
"That's not what Rook meant," Milo interjected quickly, placing a calming hand on my arm. "He meant it makes you harder for the cultists to control. Right, Rook?"
Rook met my gaze steadily. "The Bureau has only ever wanted to protect you, Winter."
"And the rest of reality from me," I added bitterly.
"That too," he admitted with surprising honesty. "Power like yours… it's dangerous. But necessary."
His honesty defused some of my anger. I took a deep breath, feeling Horrace relax slightly as my emotions stabilized.
"Well, Horrace stays with me," I spoke with finality. "Prophecy says so. And apparently, he makes me stronger, which seems like a good thing given that cultists keep trying to kidnap me."
When we finally arrived at the apartment building, I expected Zane to be gone, his shift had likely ended hours ago. Instead, he was leaning against the entrance, a picture of casual grace that didn't quite mask the tension in his shoulders.
His mismatched eyes widened fractionally when he spotted Horrace, then narrowed with calculated assessment.
"That's new," his voice dry as we approached. "Interesting fashion choice, Shortstack. Living scarf?"
