A final snort and the apparition made a wide turn. Its movements were awkward, like its hooves were sucked into wet sand with every step. Its tail flicked and ears swiveled as its entire body shuddered. Mosquitoes. Horseflies. Something made its hide twitch.

A flash of blue. Short cotton nightgown. Tumble of wild chestnut hair. A small hand stuck to the kelpie’s flank.

It looked like we wouldn’t need Lori after all.

“Graeson.” I slapped the glass with my open palm. “Graeson.”

I hit the stairs at a run and almost tumbled the last four steps. I barreled past Dell, who straddled the male warg’s lap while he growled into her ear, and called louder for Graeson. Drawn by the commotion, the other wargs piled into the narrow hall. I waded through their bodies, avoiding their grasping hands and their questions.

The break room doors slapped the walls as Graeson shoved through them. Gold sparked in his gaze, and his lip quivered as he clamped his hands on my shoulders. “What happened? Did someone...?”

“No.” I sank my nails into his biceps. “It’s here,” I said loud enough for all to hear. “The kelpie is in the parking lot.”

“Where are Revelin and Torin?” he snapped.

“Running the perimeter last I saw,” Dell said, straightening her clothes and her spine. “I’ll find them.”

“You do that. Bring their asses to me. Secure the area,” he barked at the others. “Don’t let it escape.”

Fear curled in my gut. “It’s taken a new girl.”

Bones popped in his hands where they touched me. “Was she alive?”

“Yes.” Though she wouldn’t be for long unless we caught up to them. “She was walking under her own power.” I pushed against him, propelling us both out the door. “Be careful if you catch up to them. Like the McKenna girl, her hand is stuck to its hide.”

“Stay put.” He bolted onto the porch. “Dell will keep an eye on you.”

A silent figure slipped to my side. She still wouldn’t look him in the eye.

Graeson melted into the night, and wolves in various stages of change followed him. Soon Dell and I were the only ones left, and I was itching to join the others. Was this the end? Would this girl’s death close the circle if we failed to save her? What happened then? I couldn’t stand here twiddling my thumbs and wait for Graeson to bring me back an answer.

My stock had plummeted with the kelpie’s arrival. Lori was no longer required. I should have felt relieved to be off the hook, but guilt sat heavy in my gut that I might have spared this girl had we moved faster. “How does he expect me to play bait if he won’t let me out of his sight?”

I didn’t expect an answer—I was venting—so I was surprised when she offered one.