Tangled

276 Lisa: Dr. Blackwell Returns

LISA

"We're here, the Grand Sage announces, and my cramped muscles shrick with relief. We've been traveling at a snail's pace-his words, because we can't see outside-for what feels like forever. Morning? Night? It doesn't matter. We live in a box.

If it wasn't for a cleverly hidden toilet (which is gnome-sized-1 100% do not recommend using one as an adult human female), we would have been fucked. Even then, it was awkward. There's no privacy because there isn't room for it.

our

"We have a bit of a walk ahead of us," he continues, pressing buttons that enlarge our space, little magitech Rubik's cube unfolding. The gadgets hidden away by the walls reappear in their organized glory of clutter.

One catches my cyc; it looks like a small gun. He's shown it to me a few times. Pretty easy to use; point and shoot, but with a wallop that comes from its magitech origins.

After the vamp fiasco, I'm all for weapons. Give me all of them. Strap them to every inch of me. I never want to feel that helpless again.

"Can I take that with us?"

He smiles. "Of course. I'll link it to your bracelet."

"Link?" This is new.

"This will help maintain your affinity levels at the lowest synchronization rate. While our people have no magical affinity, it's a necessary concern for you."

es overContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

It sounds reasonable, in that way IT people try to explain computer problems but it goes my head. "Okay."

Elverly grabs a few gadgets I don't recognize, things that she shoves under her clothes in strategic locations. The Grand Sage takes only a pen. It's an exquisite pen, but still a pen. "No weapons?"

"This is my weapon." He holds it up with a gentle smile. "Do not underestimate what is in front of you, my dear.

The warning only makes me want to touch it, but I shove that impulse away. "So, where are we?"

"We are about two miles from a safe haven for the Westwood Pack wolves. They will be on edge. The survivors of the attack should already be there; we have been traveling at a much slower speed. The survivors. I wonder how many made it. There were so many injured wolves; there's no way they could have run to safety.

How many died that day?

And how can Chloe and Mia live knowing they brought such devastation to their own family?

270 List Dr. Blackwell Returris

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the unsettling thoughts. The Grand Sage's eyes are on me, curiosity evident in his gaze. I wonder what he sees.

"It's time to go, he announces,

I nod, following Elverly out of our cramped safe room. The old woman's silence is eerie. No biting remarks, no insults about my incompetence. It's almost as unsettling as the situation itself. Outside, the air feels different. Heavier, somehow. The Grand Sage fiddles with our bracelets, pressing buttons with practiced case,

"Take twenty steps forward, he instructs.

I comply, counting each step carefully. At twenty, I turn back and gasp. The safe room shimmers

and vanishes from view.

Fascinated, I take a step forward. It reappears, as solid as ever. Another step back, and it's gone again.

"The cloaking is active," the Grand Sage explains, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your bracelet will guide you if needed."

1

open my mouth to ask how exactly the bracelet works, but he cuts me off with a wave of his

hand.

"We need to start walking," he says, already moving forward.

I bite back my questions and fall into step behind him, Elverly bringing up the rear.

There isn't much cover out here. It's mostly rolling plains, with a few copses of trees scattered about. "Won't they have seen us coming?

"He cloaked us long ago, Elverly snaps, and the sound of her voice has me jumping in surprise.

Good to see she's still her cantankerous self.

"But not any longer," he says, cheerful as ever.

My legs feel like jelly, each step a monumental effort. Have I ever been this weak in my life? Pretty sure I came out of the womb stronger than this. Even breathing feels like a chore. The inclines are the worst. My thighs burn, and I'm panting like I've run a marathon.

"Keep up," Elverly hisses, her voice grating on my already frayed nerves.

There's no energy in me to snap back. Instead, I focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Left, right, left, right. Don't think about the pain. Don't think about how far we still have to go. Suddenly, the Grand Sage stops. I'm so focused on my feet that I nearly crash into Elverly's back. My hand shoots out to steady myself, and I feel her tense beneath my touch.

"Sorry," I mutter, but the word dies in my throat as I look up.

We're surrounded.

Wolves. Massive beasts with teeth as long as my fingers. My heart leaps into my throat, and 1

276 Lisa: Dr. Blackwell Returns

"I am Dr. Jonathan Blackwell."

The wolves continue to growl, circling us. I edge closer to the gnomes, my only protection in this nightmare. My eyes dart from wolf to wolf, trying to keep track of their movements. There are so many of them. Then, something incredible happens. One of the wolves begins to change. It's horrifying and fascinating all at once. Bones crack and reshape, fur recedes, and suddenly there's a man standing before us. A very naked man.

Don't blame me for staring. He's all rippling muscles and tanned skin. My cheeks heat up, and I force myself to look away. Now is not the time to be ogling hot werewolves, Lisa.

"Dr. Blackwell?" the man says, his voice deep and rough. "We thought you were dead."

The Grand Sage nods solemnly. "I barely made it out with my life."

The shifter's eyes go unfocused, like he's listening to something we can't hear. The silence stretches on, and I shift from foot to foot. My legs are still trembling, and standing still is almost worse than walking. Finally, the man's gaze snaps back to us. "Follow me," he says, turning without waiting for a response.

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