we can find out here. Chloe, go with Luke.” Zane instructed. Please, for once do this with debating, he added for my ears only.
“Can I talk to Missy first?” My question was for Luke who raised an eyebrow at Zane.
Oh my goodness! Did everyone automatically bow to my big bad wolf?
Rather than waiting for his approval, I marched around the enclosure to the far corner where Missy and her mate were huddled. I could hear Luke jogging to catch up. It amazed me how loud a human sounded in comparison to one of the supes, and my athletic boss was no wimp. Stealthy — not so much, evidenced by his labored breathing.
“Since when do you take orders from anyone?” I hissed, aware of a unique opportunity to enlist Luke’s help. With all the excitement, I’d almost forgotten my escape plan. Traveling to Portland, Monday evening, remained high on my to-do list.
Looking chagrined, he muttered, “Since he became your husband.”
Luke made a good point. This was a dangerous situation and my man was all about protecting his prize, Princess Chloe. I hated to admit how much I liked my new royal title and Zane’s protective nature. I’d never felt safer or more cherished. Luke was just trying to respect our new relationship.
“I know this was all so sudden …”
“I’ll say,” he agreed, pausing again to scan the grounds.
I’d grown used to macho supernatural men, who tackled adversity with bold authority. Luke’s humanness seemed somewhat inadequate.
Mortified by my degrading thoughts about my own species, I flashed him the biggest grin I could muster under the circumstances. For goodness sake, the man was my former almost-flame. He was a great friend who put up with my glaring deficiencies. He deserved an explanation.
“Luke, I’m so sorry. You know the reason we never dated was because of our work relationship. Sometimes a good friend and excellent working relationship are hard things to give up. Still friends …?”
For the first time since my marriage announcement, the open smile that I’d come to love and expect, spread across his tanned face. “You silly girl, we’ll always be friends. And the truth is I like Zane. He’s a good guy. A little odd, but he seems to care about you. Congratulations, you deserve to be happy.”
Without thinking, I flung my arms around his neck.
“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t mean to strangle you,” I said backing away, uncomfortable with our physical contact.
He pretended to choke and sputter, “Help! I can’t breathe.”
I opened my mouth, but the words never came.
An eerie chorus of howls erupted around us, sending the zebras and other nearby animals into a state of frenzied panic.
“Run …” I managed to whisper before the haunting yowls increased in volume, sounding much closer.
I spun back toward the courtyard, not bothering to wait for Luke’s response.
When the overhead lights dissolved into darkness, I screamed.
Chapter 2616
Roars, screeches, and other animal noises filled the darkness. I could hear the chimpanzees protesting in the distance. My heart thudded as I dashed through the familiar landscape. There was scarcely enough moonlight to reveal my course.
“Luke?” I called, slowing my pace. I’d reached the courtyard gift shop and Luke was missing. Realizing I wasn’t alone, at the glass door, triggered my inner alarm, awakening a new burst of much-needed adrenaline.
A mutant, its fur a tangled mass of filthy mats, blocked the entrance. Its pitiful condition a glaring contradiction to the other creatures I’d seen. I almost felt sorry for it.
“The little girl who talks to animals,” the thing said — its voice a gravelly growl.
I’d never attempted to engage any mutant in conversation, but decided if it might stall my bloody demise it was worth trying.
Where was Zane anyway? And what happened to Luke?
I stood taller, making myself face my gruesome foe. “How is it you know me and I don’t know your name?” My voice sounded much stronger than I’d expected, giving me an air of assurance I didn’t feel.
Confused by my calm response, the beast rocked from side to side. It even cocked its massive head like a curious dog. I wondered how much humanness remained beneath its pathetic exterior.
“A name. What do you call yourself?” I persisted.
“Don’t answer!” a booming voice countered.
In what felt like slow motion, I turned to face my newest adversary. Stryder, the mutant from Miles’ trailer park, loomed just behind me.
Talk about surrounded.
“Stryder,” I said, hoping to surprise him with an air of familiarity.
It worked.
“How do you know my name, human?” he growled, unable to conceal his stunned