Page 12 of Break Out the Girl

“Tucked away in a cave down the ravine.” His eyes flick to where the white searchlights cut through the mist. “We need to go fast, and not leave human tracks.”

I turn to look at London. “You can’t carry us both, surely?”

Before he can reply, the air around Tally suddenly shifts, turning thick and heavy with a static charge that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. I watch, completely mesmerized, as his human frame expands and is covered with russet fur.

Fuck. He is a wolf.

I don’t know how big wolves normally are, but this beast is almost taller than I am. He huffs a warm cloud of steam into the freezing air, his eyes fixing onto mine as he lowers his massive shoulders, presenting his back.

“Hop on, sweetpea!” London chirps from behind me. “Time for a horsey ride!”

I don't hesitate. Grabbing two hanks of the coarse, thick fur at Tally's neck, I swing my leg over his back, pressing my inner thighs tight against his heavy ribs. The moment I’m secure, the wolf takes off.

London bounds right beside us, his faun legs clearing rotting logs and briars with massive leaps. The wind whips past my face, freezing and wild, but the heat radiating from Tally’s coat keeps my blood from freezing.

The sirens fade into a dull roar behind us as we plunge down a steep, rocky slope into the deep shadows of the ravine, racing toward the dark hole where François is waiting.

5: FRANCOIS

They abandoned me.

I guess I’m not surprised. Why should they do anything different?

They got what they wanted—out.

And what have I been left with?

A body that is barely functioning, and a wet limestone tomb.

And my chest aches, a strange tugging sensation I don’t understand.

If I could shift, I could replenish my energy, but I’m too depleted to do anything but lay here.

Merde.

The wolf and the imbecile have clearly claimed Aurora, but that can only be temporary. As soon as I’m strong enough, I’ll find them. Hunt them down. A sour, bitter flare of anger fills my bones.

At Taliesin.

At the British man.

And also at Aurora. She didn’t give me a chance.

I look at the dark, weeping walls of the cave, the scent of bat-guano coating my tongue, and curse my foolishness. Why did I agree to bring others out with us?

Because I wanted to win her gratitude.

Foolish. Love, it seems, makes an idiot out of every class of mind—even mine.

I’m a fool. It seems every step I’ve taken has been flawed. But, putain de merde, I didn’t know.

I’ve never been accomplished at establishing relationships, and since the snake became part of me, it’s one hundred times worse. My King Predator thinks he rules the world and everyone should fall in line. Fine, if we are dealing with beasts, but dealing with people that we wish to win over?

Dealing with someone I want to love me?

Je suis perdu.

I’m lost.