Page 41 of Hers to Claim

Rio looked troubled. “One of you is going to have to go back with a few more guards and check to make sure there’s no one else in the house.”

Both hellhounds nodded in perfect sync. Without pausing to check in with his brother, Dancer said, “I’ll go.”

“Check in with Kima on who to take with you,” Rio said to his retreating back before Dancer disappeared around a corner.

Dasher remained with his armload of clothes, watching his mate with a concerned expression.

“She doesn’t usually have trouble shifting back,” he said after a few seconds. “This one really got to her.” After a few seconds he entered the room to put down the clothes and then backed away with a sigh.

Mari glanced over to where Karma had her muzzle draped over one of Nova’s knees in a silent gesture of support. The wolf wasn’t sharing any secrets, if she had them.

Greta stood wearily. “That’s the best I can do for now. I need to sit down for a bit and I can come back and take care of the scrapes and bruises.”

Cisco nodded, reaching to clutch her hand. “Thanks. You can rest in the room next door. It’s empty at the moment.”

Greta wandered out of the room looking dazed, and Dasher led her down the hallway, asking her if she needed anything along the way.

“I want a shower,” Nova said after a few minutes, her voice sounding tired and almost dreamy.

Cisco lifted her easily and headed to the attached bathroom with Karma immediately behind him. There was a brief conversation at low volume, and then the water started. Cisco came out of the room shortly after, looking shattered.

Rio was on his way into Cisco’s arms before Mari could blink. She thought that she would wait until they were done, but when Cisco held out his other arm for her, she rushed forward, hugging both of them. Cisco lowered his head, rubbing his face on each of their heads before letting out a long sigh.

Rio was the first to speak. “He’s already dead, but I sent Dancer back to clear the house.”

Cisco straightened to look down at them without letting them out of his embrace. “Karma shifted back to help her shower, soas soon as we get her settled we may be able to get some more details.”

The fragile state of the brassy medusa she remembered from a year ago made Mari’s heart hurt. She couldn’t stand the idea that anyone else was being treated that way. “How many more are missing?”

Rio frowned. “Two more according to Willow’s list. Plus we don’t know how many from the top floor.”

“Vincent is the guy you said ran the fighting ring. So I assume he’s next on our list?”

Rio nodded. “Willow said there were no records at all to indicate where he’d gone. Comemierda had emptied out the whole office as if he’d never been there.”

“I want everyone but a skeleton crew out tonight asking if anyone knows where he’s holed up.” Cisco frowned.

“I’m on it,” Rio said and then pushed up on his toes to give Cisco a kiss. “Te quiero.”

“Para siempre,” Cisco murmured against his mouth and then watched him walk away the way only a smitten gargoyle can. He tightened his arms around Mari and hugged her closer for a few seconds, his wings wrapping around her.

“I’m so glad we found her,” she said softly into his shoulder. They stood together that way for a while, just gaining strength from each other.

A few minutes later, Samar ran down the hallway toward them at top shifter speed. “Is she okay?”

Cisco held out his arm when Samar made to charge into the room. “Too soon to tell, but she’s here and she’s safe now.”

Samar looked into the room, his eyes glowing silver when he didn’t find her there. “Can I see her?”

“We’ll see if she wants anyone else in there when she’s done in the shower. Karma is with her now.”

His agitation to that response was obvious. “Will it be easier if I’m the cat?”

Cisco frowned. “Probably.”

Samar toed off his shoes and pulled his shirt over his head. In a flash of magic that smelled like cloves, he shifted into an oversized snow leopard. He sat patiently with his fluffy tail wrapped around his feet, seeming more settled now that he was in his furry skin.

Eventually, Karma slinked out of the bathroom and grabbed the pile of clothes that Dasher had left for them before disappearing behind the door again. They waited until the door opened a second time, and Karma walked slowly out with an arm wrapped around Nova for support.

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