CHAPTER THIRTEEN #2
Penny spoke quickly into the phone. Just as she was answering some questions, she caught the gaze of a ginger cat-shifter who’d just bit one of the shifter masters and was looking for her next victim.
To her, all the humans in there were the enemy.
Penny swore under her breath and tried to scramble to her feet only to slip over a woman who had been knocked unconscious.
She dropped her phone as she scurried away from the cat-shifter on all fours.
On second thought, standing up wasn’t such a great idea when bullets were still flying over everyone’s heads.
“No, listen to me,” she yelled at the cat-shifter. “I’m with Enzo! I’m with the Aries Guardian! You don’t want to do this.”
She knew it was impossible to get away from the shifter, who was moving way faster than she could.
The cat laughed at her attempt. It was clear she didn’t believe her.
Penny grabbed a chair and held it between her and the shifter.
She felt like the cat was the predator, and she was the prey, and she hated it.
She had no way of defending herself, so all she could do was scream at the top of her lungs Enzo’s name, hoping he would hear her over the havoc.
“Leave her alone. She’s with us.”
Penny breathed in relief when Kosta and Nina stepped between her and the cat-shifter. Enzo was probably too busy, but the two young sheep-shifters had come back for her. She couldn’t believe the twins she had been trying to save all along were the ones saving her.
The ginger cat hissed, then turned around and headed for the exit.
There was a small crowd of shifters there, and they all stepped back when the black ram strutted between them, his sheer presence demanding they made way for him.
The heavy door was still locked, and it seemed like it didn’t want to budge no matter how many shifters tried to break it down.
The Guardian studied the situation for a moment, then started backing away slowly and deliberately, his head held low. He was getting ready to charge.
Penelope pushed the chair aside, and the twins positioned themselves so as to protect her. That was when she saw that Nina was bleeding from her right hip.
“Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?”
“It’s just a scratch. It will heal soon.”
Penny pushed the white wool aside to look at the wound.
“I think the bullet is still in there.”
Nina shook her hind leg as if to swap her hand away.
“I’m fine. Enzo will take it out, and then I’ll heal. Get ready. I think he’s going to butt down the door.”
Penelope looked up just in time to see the strong, black ram charge at the door.
His mighty horns left a significant dent in the metal, but it wasn’t enough.
He charged again. The second time, the metal bent more, and when he charged a third time, the door fell to the ground.
As dozens of shifters ran past him to freedom, he turned around and scanned the room.
When he spotted Penny and the twins, he ran to their side.
“Are you guys okay?”
Penny nodded. “I am, but Nina has been shot.”
Enzo gave the smaller sheep a once-over, then concluded she would be fine as long as they got out of there soon.
“Come on. I’ve already spread the word about our meeting place. We’re gathering at my house. Can you walk?”
Penny stood up and followed him, with Nina and Kosta right behind her.
As Enzo was leading the way, the twins were still protecting her.
They managed to get out of the building just as the police was barging in, confused by the wave of animals running for their lives.
Their plan had worked. To the police, it looked like a bunch of psychos has gathered for some sort of sick and very much illegal animal fights.
Once it was all over, they wouldn’t find a single shifter left behind, but they would arrest all the members of the club and their guards.
The shifters had made sure to only knock them unconscious or bite them, so they wouldn’t be able to run.
Justice would be made without anyone dying or being seriously injured.
Enzo stopped in a back alley, and he and the twins shifted.
Penny turned around to give them some privacy.
Soon, she heard Enzo rummaging behind a dumpster.
He had thought this part of the plan through, as well.
He had stashed clothes for himself and the twins, along with some bandages, just in case of emergency.
“Help me patch Nina up,” he said. “I’ll take care of the bullet when we get home, but we need to stop the bleeding.”
Penny held Nina down and whispered reassuring words as Enzo dressed the small wound as best as he could.
“Does it hurt?”
The girl winced and pursed her lips. She nodded.
“I’m so sorry. It’s over now.” She looked up at Enzo. “Right?”
He gave her a bright smile. “The worst is over, yes. All we need to do is re-group, take care of the wounded until they heal, then say good-bye to New York. I’m so ready to leave this place behind.”
Penny bit her lower lip. “Can I come with you?” Her words were such a soft whisper that only a shifter could hear them. Fortunately, Enzo caught them, so she didn’t have to repeat herself.
“Are you sure?”
“There’s nothing left for me here.”
“What about your parents?”
She shook her head. A tear ran down her cheek, and she wiped it with the back of her hand.
“I can’t tell them the truth. I just can’t. Better let them believe Goldman and his family were involved in illegal animal fights. It’s gory enough as it is.”
Enzo nodded, but remained silent. He helped Nina up, and when he saw she couldn’t quite stand, he lifted her in his arms.
“My car is two blocks away. Let’s go.”
Penny and Kosta followed him.
“So? Can I come?” This time, there was more conviction in her voice.
“If that’s what you truly want…”
Penny felt more tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. She stopped and waited for Enzo to stop as well when he heard she was not following anymore.
“What about you, Enzo? Do you want me to come with you?”
He turned to look into her blue eyes. The tears running down her now dirty face made his heart ache.
“More than anything in the world. But, Penelope… you know… the curse… I can’t promise you anything.”
“I know.”