I noticed that he flinched at several loud noises. I go over to the plush bed and climb onto it. The material hugs my body as I slowly sink into it. I lay still, thinking. Maybe he’s just not used to the noise? Pandorma is awfully quiet most of the time—nature isn’t that loud. This must be the reason. If it’s not then that means he’s lied to me, which doesn’t make sense because how could he know he’s a shifter? It’s not something you can just know without being told. I had absolutely no clue until Dark told me.
I shake my head. His ears just aren’t used to the noise and Earth is loud.
* * * *
We’ve been sitting here for several hours. Pouring over every newspaper Ryan could get. Every time we get through a newspaper and we find nothing about my father, my hope that he might still be alive grows stronger.
Ryan sighs, sets down his newspaper and rubs his face. “Let's get something to eat.”
“Great,” I say quickly. The faster we get out of here the better. We haven’t found anything yet and I don’t want my hope to get squashed. I force myself to walk instead of run out of our room and outside.
* * * *
Ryan suppresses a yawn and continues flipping through channels even though nothing is on. Dinner didn’t take nearly long enough. Ryan tried not to show it, but I could tell he was eager to get back as soon as we sat down at our table at the restaurant. I inwardly sigh. I think he was afraid that if we were out too long Medusa would see us. I guess just eating or walking through the streets could be a threat to Medusa.
The scenes flashing across the television are all that light up the room—glowing light and dark, off and on, like various flashlights being messed with.
I catch a glimpse of a man transforming into a wolf. Ryan sighs. “Here.” He hands me the remote then stands up. “I’m going to go to bed. I’m exhausted,” he adds when he sees my disappointed face.
The couch evens out and I’m no longer tipped to the side. I lie down.
“Goodnight,” his voice floats to me from inside the bedroom.
“Goodnight,” I call back.
Nothing catches my attention so I reluctantly stop on the news. I’ve always wondered if everything they report is completely true. I prefer to avoid the news but there’s nothing else on.
“Police are still baffled by the gruesome mauling that took place Sunday afternoon. It seems that a large cat was either let into the healthcare center or somehow accidentally wandered in. Nearby zoos were asked if any of their large cats had recently escaped but so far nothing has turned up. Some have suggested that possibly an exotic pet cat escaped but that can’t be confirmed either. Police are still seeking any information to this man’s real identity as he was admitted to the center under a false name. If anyone has any information please call the number at the bottom of the screen.”
The newscaster goes on to talk about other things, but I don’t hear a single word. I sit paralyzed. The picture of the man had been somewhat blurry, but that didn’t matter because I’d know his face anywhere.
The man is my father.
Chapter 28
I race into the bedroom and shake Ryan awake.
“Get up!”
Ryan grunts and rolls over. “What? What is it?” he mumbles.
I bite my lip. “My dad he . . . he really is dead.”
Ryan springs into a sitting position, the comforter flying into the air before resting back down in lumpy hills.
“What?”
“I . . . I saw Dad on the T.V. He was—he is,” I stutter forcing tears back.
Ryan makes a hushing sound and attempts to pull me closer but I recoil from his grasp. “She killed him in the form of a big cat!” I cry.
“It’ll be alright,” Ryan says soothingly, again trying to pull me into his arms.
I take a step back. “No. No it won’t be alright. It will never be alright! He’s always been a part of my life, how can I live without him? I never even got to say goodbye.”
“How about we go for a walk?” he asks gently. “A little fresh air will be soothing.”
“The air isn’t fresh here. It stinks. Its suffocating and smothering and . . . and I thought it wouldn’t be true,” I whisper.
“Come on.” He leads me outside and we walk until I stop crying.
* * * *
Ryan presses the button for our floor. He pulls me tight against his chest and I’m surprised when he rests his head on mine, a barely audible sigh escaping his lips.
The elevator comes to a halt and Ryan releases me. I’m looking down, so the first thing I see is a large splatter of blood. Frowning, I follow that spatter with my eyes to the next and all the way down the hall, stopping at the door to our room. Ryan and I tear down the hall, barely stopping to look at the large, bloody paw prints strewn across the door’s creamy white paint. I throw it open, expecting something horrible, but the room is fine. Except for the continuing trail of blood saturating the carpet. I follow the path to the dark bedroom.
Throwing open the door I stand in the archway. My eyes travel up the rest of the dark stain to a body. Ryan flicks on the light switch, but I don’t need it to distinguish the familiar blond hair, strong jaw, and chiseled body that I’ve seen countless times.
“Trevor . . .” I whisper.
Before I can take another step to check if he is alive, a figure moves from behind the elegant draperies that are partially hiding the balcony.
Medusa.
Shift (The Pandorma Adventures Book 1) Page 32
