Page 81 of Beast

Meg smiles brightly. “Oh, good. He’s a horrible person. I’ma pacifist by nature, but I will totally help get him in the building if he’sgoing to kill that man. You’ll let me keep the bunnies, right?”

I turn without speaking. Roan falls in beside me.

“I’m going to call some of my contacts in the police force.We’ll keep it quiet. I wouldn’t want Palgrave to destroy evidence, if you knowwhat I mean,” Julian calls out.

There’s the click-clack of stilettos as Meg races to catchup with us. She has Julian’s dark shirt wrapped around her body like a robe.

“This should be fun. I know the best way into thatbuilding.” She walks on like we’re going on a shopping trip rather than intobattle. “And now that I have a minute with you, Mr. Dellacourt, I can talk toyou about organic meal pills. There’s this rancher who has come up with a wayto organically produce meal pills that doesn’t even kill the cow.”

I growl her way as my car is brought from the garage.

I want the real Meg back.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

Kaja

I come to in fits and starts. The world is a weirdmix of past and present. I dream of my home, but this time I run with Dante atmy side. I am on four legs and he on his two powerful ones. He runs, as nakedin his skin as I am in my fur, his fangs and claws on display. It is fullsummer, and the forests are alive with prey. Deer and stag and moose all fleein terror at our approach, but it does not matter. We will select the fattestand feast. We are unstoppable. Stronger because we are together.

I reach out to him.

I’m coming, love. I’m coming.

He is not coming. He is here beside me. As it should be.

Then it is white, so white. When did the snows begin? Theworld is coated in white and silver and cold. So cold. I shiver despite my fur.

Where is Dante? I want Dante. I do not want to be aloneagain. Dante?

Hush, love. I’m coming.

But he is not here, and I am sick. I feel it in my brain. Iam ill and in pain. Dante!

Kaj! Calm down now.

The voice in my head takes on a distinctly domineering tone,and I respond to it. I force myself to stop. My head is muddy, but I can move.The ground beneath me is cold, but it is not soft and wet like snow. It is hardand unnatural. Metal. I open my eyes and close them quickly. Too bright. Far,far too bright.

“I think it’s awake.”

The voice that speaks is cold as well. Through slitted eyes,I look up. I am in a cage, though not one as nice as the gnome’s cages. This isutilitarian. Metal bars and cold floor beneath me. There are two men standingbeside a long metal table looking down at me. One is in a white coat thatreaches his knees. He wears a dress shirt and slacks underneath, and hasstrange gloves covering his hands. The other wears a suit much like Dante’s.

“Funny how she changed when she lost consciousness.”

“I don’t think so. It’s disgusting. She’s a fucking dog. Howdoes Dellacourt make himself touch that?”

I know the second voice. It is the man who was in the car.Why did he take me?

I am in my wolf form. I know why I changed. My body neededto heal, to dispel whatever illness the drink gave me. I am physically strongerin this form. Already I feel better, though still so weak.

I will not drink again. Ever. My mind seeks the connectionto my husband.

“I wouldn’t know, Mr. Palgrave. I don’t understand the lure.I would much rather discover how she ticks. I’d like to start with some stimulito see if I can get her to change back to her human form.”

Dante. I am afraid.

I know, baby. But I’m coming. I won’t leave you there.How many vampires are around you?

I force my head up. Weary. I am so weary, but I look around.I open my senses and let the sights and smells of the place wash over me.