Page 31 of Monster. Me.

Perhaps that was a serious mistake by a desperate cat shifter. A badly chosen partner could end up being the nail in my coffin.

I step out onto the promenade and then, almost without thinking, find myself turning into the corridor where they'd transported Drax. I follow it, taking one turn and then another. At the far end, I spot several doors, but I have no way of knowing which room belongs to him.

Then I glance up.

A large ventilation duct runs along the ceiling.

I narrow my eyes and stare at it for a moment before turning around and following its path with my gaze as I walk back down the hallway. I can hardly believe it. The same duct branches off from the promenade and continues into the corridor where Rupert's room and mine are located.

Well. Now that's interesting.

A completely ridiculous idea flashes through my head.

I head back to my room.

Sure enough, there's a large vent cover in the corner near the bathroom. I grab a nail file and use it to remove the screws holding the grate in place.

Weighing the pros and cons, I hesitate for a moment. Rupert will be occupied for hours, karaoke nights usually run late, right?

Then I take off my clothes. Dropping onto all fours feels more natural for what's about to happen. Closing my eyes, I reach for the mental switch I've had since birth. Shifting has always come easily to me. Fast. Effortless. I never had to learn how. One day it simply happened.

I feel the magic sleeping inside my body awaken and spread through me. My human hands disappear, replaced by elongating claws. Auburn-colored fur pushes through my skin.

Less than a minute later, maybe even thirty seconds, I'm a cat.

I stretch contentedly.

I've always liked this form of mine.

Glancing at the vent, I crouch low and prepare to jump. The leap is about five feet, maybe a little less. Nothing difficult. I've cleared much higher fences before.

Moving through the ventilation system isn't exactly enjoyable. The cramped feeling borders on claustrophobic, but my eyesight makes navigation easy. I mentally retrace the route I'd taken through the corridors earlier and reverse it in my head. Every so often I pass another vent opening and can look down into the hallways below. Eventually I spot the promenade, which helps me keep my bearings.

Finally, I reach the corridor where I suspect one of the adjoining rooms belongs to Drax.

I begin checking the vents one by one. The first two overlook ordinary utility rooms. The last one rewards me with exactly what I'd been hoping for.

Through the grate, I spot Drax stretched out on a bed. One arm is bent beneath his head, partially covering his face. For a moment I hesitate. Then I decide to embrace the most shamelessly feline solution possible. I start scratching at the vent with my claws while letting out a series of loud, demanding meows. I can be surprisingly vocal when I want to.

Drax jerks upright. Those purple eyes immediately lock onto me.

"Wow. What are you doing up there, kitty?"

He gets to his feet and approaches the vent, studying me curiously.

"Hey, how'd you get up there, buddy? Are you stuck?"

He disappears briefly into the second room and returns carrying some kind of metal tool. A few moments later, the vent cover comes loose.

And now comes the moment of truth. Fenn Drax reaches his arms toward me. I could jump down onto the floor beside him. Or… I could jump straight into his arms. A strange thrill runs through me, and I choose the second option.

"Come here, handsome. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."

Fenn keeps holding his arms open, and for some reason I believe him. I leap straight into his embrace.

He catches me easily, and immediately comes the comment I've heard countless times before.

"Oh wow, you're heavy! You're a super chunky boy!"