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11
The clamoring metal shot down so fast that Grayson didn’t know what had happened until it was too late. He glanced over his brown-spotted shoulder to see a silver barrier slam into the ground behind him. He wasn’t sure if Cass was locked completely in the vestibule or if they were merely separated, as it was impossible to see through the blockade. One thing was for sure: he was damn certain the mall didn’t originally come equipped with it.
Hot anger burned inside Grayson. He’d told Cass they wouldn’t get separated. That apparently was a promise he couldn’t keep. If anything happened to her, he couldn’t forgive himself. Hearing about the details of the crash all those years ago broke his heart. She’d lucked out yesterday, but he didn’t want Cass to endure something like that ever again.
He used his canine eyes to survey the dark surroundings. They were evolved to help dogs see at night, but with little to no light around, he struggled to make out anything. Not having any options, Grayson trudged on in search of another exit or the red-tailed hawk shifter.
Banging sounded on the metal divider behind him. Cass was probably trying to get in. At least, by the noise, he could tell she was safe. For now anyway.
Too many smells mixed on the ground. Stale foods and multiple scents mingled in a confusing mess around him. It was a challenge to separate any of them. None were strong or stood out from the others. Grayson assumed they were old and not recent. But that didn’t mean Sandy wasn’t here. Maybe this wasn’t the entrance she used. He would have to be careful.
Grayson noted some light near the end of the wide corridor up ahead. He turned the corner, going deeper into the mall. Shadows drifted along as light filtered down from the skylight above. Whether they were made by passing clouds above or someone inside, Grayson was unsure. He paused, sniffing at the air. His ears swayed with the motion, ushering new smells toward him. Something familiar. Feathers.
It brought him back to childhood, cleaning out the chicken coops for his parents back on the farm. But the place reeking of birds didn’t mean this was Sandy’s lair.
His hound eyes adjusted to the dim light. He scanned the vacant shops. Some naked mannequins sprawled about in the dark windows, limbs sprawled at awkward angles. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.Is this another dead end? Or an old hideout the hawk used in the past?
His paw pads pressed into the cool, dusty tile. His nails clicked softly with each step. The banging from the outside door stopped. Either Cass was captured or trying to find another way in. He hoped for the latter.
This place was creepy. He hated not knowing what had happened to Cass. But he couldn’t rush to rescue her in case this was a trap.
Feet scurried in the distance, sounding like a four-legged creature. A small one.
Grayson inhaled deeply, hoping his nose could decide. Whatever it was, it didn’t come from his direction. He’d have to sniff and track alone until he caught its trail.
* * *
Cass gritted her teeth, banging on the metal in front of her until her fists stung. She’d kick at the divider if she wasn’t afraid to ruin her stilettos and end up with broken toes. There was no way this barrier would lift by her throwing a fit. She was so frustrated. She hated when she didn’t sense something coming. And this trap was a surprise.
She turned on her heel, hoping she could get out the way she came in. The first set of doors appeared unchanged. She tapped her toes on the floor, fearing a trap door would open up beneath her if she took a step. Nothing happened. She chuckled. “Stop being paranoid, Cass.”
Satisfied this wasn’t a ruse to capture her again, Cass took a step. She shifted her weight on the foot, inching forward. She shook her head.A trap door. Who would build an evil lair under a mall? It’s probably in one of the department sto—
Before Cass could finish the thought, the floor started moving, taking her down. She kept her cool, staying away from the walls, afraid to get close to them. She’d seen too many horror flicks where people were not careful enough on elevators. She stood there helpless, crossing her arms, waiting for the ride to end. She glanced around for any sign of a switch she may have accidentally hit. Cass doubted she’d be that fortunate. Probably someone was on the other end controlling this thing.
I’m never hearing the end of this from Gray. She was two for two on being captured during this case. That wasn’t a great track record.
About forty feet of concrete later, the floor stopped its slow descent with athud. She pivoted, glancing around for a door. Nothing resembled a handle. Assuming there was a way out, she pressed on the wall in front of her. It slid to the side, exposing a long, dimly lit corridor. She kicked herself for leaving her phone in Gray’s car and for not thinking to put his phone in his backpack.How stupid.Even without Grayson having his cell, if she had her phone, she could’ve texted him to tell him about the little trip she took. If he got back to his vehicle, he could’ve been able to get the message and know where she was. If she got service this far below ground. That was a lot of ifs.
Her only option was to exit. She wasn’t sure if someone was corralling her along, but what choice did she have? Gray knew they were separated. He’d turn over every floor tile of the mall to find her.
A shiver trickled down her spine as Cass stepped off the platform. The air was notably cooler this far below ground. Her summer blazer did little to protect her from the chill.
The whole experience was screaming evil lair. Aside from the hidden elevator and below-ground bunker, her shifter senses didn’t alert her to anything too out of the ordinary. Still, she kept her guard up, listening for any clues she wasn’t alone. Nothing but the sound of her heels on the concrete echoed back.
The dank hall ended at a metal door. The cold handle bit into her palm as she wrenched it open.
Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw inside.
* * *
Grayson caught up to the unsuspecting mouse and pounced on it. It writhed at the end of its tail, his paw holding it in place. The creature was the size of an ordinary mouse, but that didn’t mean anything. Most shifters became human-sized animals, like him; others did not. He thought to his former student Ellie. When she shifted, she was the size of an ordinary housecat.
He leaned forward, inspecting the rodent. It didn’t appear to be a threat. Grayson was about to let it go when it grew in size. Its legs lengthened, the fur receding to smooth skin. The tail altogether disappeared. Soon a young boy curled up on the floor in front of him, shivering on the cool tiles. The kid was no more than ten years old.
He looked up into Gray’s hound face, cocking his head to the side. His long brown hair fell in his face. “Do you mind? I’m trying to find my sister.” The little guy had some attitude. Gray admired his confidence.
Gray shifted back into human form, not too keen on the both of them naked in a chilly, abandoned mall. But how else could he communicate? “I’m looking for my friend. We got separated.”
