Page 65 of Raven

Mandy stepped forward, tail wagging. The boy’s fear faded into recognition. He reached out and stroked her head.

The younger child, a girl, still slept, clutching a teddy bear.

I rested a hand on Beatrice’s back. “Are they okay?”

She nodded. “Physically, yes. Scared. Tied up in a burning apartment. We found them just in time.”

Her jaw clenched. “One of the bastards is dead.”

“And the other?”

“Gone. He may be the ringleader of a bigger operation. We’ve been on edge since the rescue.”

She didn’t stop stroking the boy’s hair.

“I couldn’t leave them. Not tonight. They needed someone here.”

I squeezed her shoulder. “Of course. That’s why I love you.”

Her tired smile said it all. Even exhausted, she stood strong.

Mandy gave a soft woof. The boy smiled again, eyes closing.

* * *

“I can stay,”I said quietly. “You need rest.”

Before she could answer—

“Code Pink. Pediatric Wing. Code Pink.”

The hospital alarm blared through the intercom.

My blood ran cold.

Code Pink: Child abduction in progress.

* * *

Lights dimmed further.Automatic locks clicked into place.

“Secure all exits. Code Pink, in effect,” a recorded voice repeated overhead.

Down the hall, a nurse jumped to her feet. The corridor echoed with the soft thud of doors shutting.

Beatrice turned to the kids. “It’s okay. Stay in bed. I’m right here.”

The boy jolted upright, wide-eyed, but she soothed him gently.

I stepped into the hallway and scanned both directions.

Tag and Gage were already moving.

I shut the door and twisted the lock. It wasn’t much—but it was something.

Beatrice stood beside me. Her face was pale but calm.

“He’s here,” she whispered. “That monster came back.”

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