He nodded, wincing as he stepped forward. “I agree, but I’m not sure how much time we really have before it’s too late to undo what has been done.”

Oh, excellent, more ominous forecasting.

“Does he need any help?” Sam asked, still confused as hell. “Food or water or medical attention?”

I repeated her questions to Gaster and he shook his head. “No, I’m fine. My energy is returning faster than expected, and I think I have the strength now to find you some clothes. When you are comfortable, we can quickly catch each other up on what happened.”

I repeated his words to Sam, and she let out a relieved breath. “Yeah, look, I know we’re shifters, but at some point, I prefer not to have all of my body parts greeting the world.”

An actual genuine chuckle escaped me. “Yep, same.”

“Then follow me,” Gaster said, already looking more energized as he moved through the debris. His face fell as he took in the destruction, craggy crevices creasing his cheeks. “I was knocked out during the first assault,” he said sadly. “Unable to protect my charges. I think the only reason I wasn’t banished from the Library of Knowledge like all the others is he missed me in the chaos.”

He? Oh, damn, I legitimately had so many questions, but now wasn’t the time. Gaster had said he would spill everything that had happened; I just had to be patient. Which was clearly a strong character trait of mine. Along with delusion.

When he finally reached the part of the library east of the main entrance, he started to search through what looked like badly dented storage cupboards. I spent the time waiting for him, filling Sam in on everything she hadn’t understood because she didn’t speak demi-fae.

Like a normal shifter.

By the time Gaster finally emerged, with long sheets of white material that he helped us fashion into makeshift togas, my friend was completely up to date. And then, when our naked parts were clothed, Gaster led us to one of the very few spots not covered in devastation, gesturing for us to sit.

“I’ll translate,” I told Sam.

She nodded, looking like a toga-clad goddess. Pretty sure Sam could wear a potato sack and still be gorgeous. “I can wait until the end. I know this is your story and you’ve waited a long time to uncover this truth.”

Technically, it hadn’t been that long, but it felt like a damn eternity.

“Thank you,” I said, before Gaster cleared his throat, stealing all of my attention.

“You arrived here almost two Earth years ago,” he said.

My stomach swirled violently. “Two years?” I repeated, feeling my lips tremble. “When the Torma pack was locked in their stasis?”