Page 91 of Outcast Fae
“We’re together,” I said, hugging Hani close as we sat in a clump on the floor. “That’s what matters right now.”
They fell into a restless quiet, and I took the time to scan the room.
Someone in a far cage groaned and stirred. When I glanced over, I was surprised to see Horace.
He was slumped over, head laying against the bars. He appeared hurt and weak. Had he been physically punished for helping us? When he finally stirred, I nodded at him.
He sat up, frowning. “Tally? What are you doing here?”
“I think New Starts is over. They’ve sent the others home. Sinasre, Vaughn, and I are here.”
“Vaughn’s here, too? Oh, shit.” He tried to sit up and groaned. “That’s not good.”
“Do you know what their plans are?” I asked.
Horace’s expression darkened as he glanced up to a camera in the room’s corner. “I can’t talk about it.”
I nodded. “Understandable.”
He sat up further, still wincing as if he too had broken ribs like Sinasre. “Don’t lose hope, Tally.”
I gave him the only smile I could manage. “Thanks, but it’s hard.”
His eyes stayed locked on mine. “No, I’m serious. Don’t lose hope. Dinner is at six. It’s going to be delicious.”
He enunciated the last words and, suddenly, I had a feeling he was sending me a message. Horace had worked with the guards here and might still have connections. Maybe Rick or the other guy Vaughn had mentioned. Could he be telling me a rescue was in the works?
I waited until six o’clock, barely daring to hope. The children’s talk kept me busy. Their squabbles and complaints were the same, but I couldn’t separate them in our tight cell.
Finally, the clock on the wall showed six. Still, the dinner did not arrive. I glanced at Horace, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze. His eyes stayed glued on the only door leading to our area.
Ten minutes went by. Finally, the door slid open. In walked two men. Horace stood up. The three males nodded to each other. Then their eyes went to the cameras.
This had to be it!
I stood up, too, barely breathing. Conversation ground to a halt as everyone turned.
“What is this?” one of the vampires said.
“Two minutes,” the shorter, dark blond male said. As I watched, he transformed into his werewolf form, his clothes tearing and his body growing hair and claws. The other guard didn’t shift, making me wonder if he was a werewolf at all or just wanted to retain the use of his thumbs.
“What’s happening?” Bor said. The children had gathered behind me in fear and wonder.
“Stay still. Wait for my signal,” I said, keeping my eyes on the werewolf and guard.
There were three other males in the cage with Horace. Five werewolves, even if one was injured, would give us a fighting chance. Yet, for some reason, Horace and his cellmates didn’t transform. Instead, they watched as the shifted guard tore the cameras off the walls, and the second guard dug out keys and unlocked the cell. Then he started scanning some sort of wand over the outstretched arms of each male.
I had no idea why, but as soon as he did, two of the werewolves shifted into bulky lupine forms—only Horace did not, making me wonder if his injuries were too severe or if there was some other reason.
He nodded to us, and his guard friend unlocked our door. I pulled the children out of the cell, trembling with fear and anticipation.
As the guards let the vampires and what must be witches and warlocks out of the other cages, I turned to Horace. “What now?”
He stared into my face a mix of anxiety and determination in his.
“Now, Tally, we run for our lives.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
