Free The Men of Otherworld: Collection One by Yasmine Galenorn Page B

sprang off the counter, still meowing, and raced out of the room, though not nearly as quickly as she’d been running before, leaving a trail of blood drops behind her. Swearing, Shade softly followed. He didn’t want to wind her up—she could hurt herself far worse that way. But he had to catch her.
    Another go round and she headed upstairs. He shifted through the Ionyc Sea to the top of the steps, but she managed to dart past him into the bedroom. Cursing, he followed, just in time to see her crawl under the bed.  
    “Delilah, come out of there.” Shade closed the door. At least she couldn’t get out of the room. He closed the closet door, too, but left the door to the bathroom open. If she ran in there, she’d be easier to corner.
    Dropping to his hands and knees, he leaned down and peeked under the bed. She was hunched in the center. And with a king-sized bed, that meant he couldn’t reach her. He might be tall but his arms weren’t gorilla length. Nor could he scoot beneath the bed.
    They eyed each other for awhile. Delilah let out a faint mew and it tore his heart that she was too hurt and frightened to let him help. In her state, she was probably thinking with her cat-self, than her human-Fae side. But, still, he ached to think that she didn’t trust him.
    “Delilah, honey—we need to take you to the doctor. Please, come out. Please trust me. I wouldn’t do this except you’re hurt. Mallen said you need to be seen by a doctor. We don’t want those wounds infected.” He spoke softy, trying to coax her out.
    After a few minutes it was apparent she wasn’t going to budge.  
    Shade pushed himself to a sitting position. What could he use to get her out? He glanced around the room, and then saw the plant mister. He’d used it on occasion when she got too rambunctious and he wanted her to quit bugging him. Now, he picked it up and leaned over so she could see him.  
    “I don’t want to have to use this. Delilah, come out of there.” He shook the bottle.  
    The water sloshed. Delilah let out another mew and began to back toward the other side of the bed. As he shook it again, she popped out the other side and headed for the door. Without pausing, Shade dropped the mister and once again, shifted through the Ionyc Seas, emerging behind her. If she tried to race back under the bed, she’d have to go around him.  
    She darted to the left, but he was faster this time and caught her up, trying to avoid hurting her further. Delilah let out a soft cry, then snuggled against him. Shade carried her downstairs where she reluctantly allowed him put her in the carrier. As they headed out into the night, he was grateful he’d gotten his license and could drive her Jeep. Otherwise it would be a cold, blustery walk in the rain.

    The vet stared at Delilah. “Last time I saw her, she was six feet tall.” He let out a laugh. “She brought in a couple of mice for treatment.”
    Not only was the vet aware of who Delilah was, but Mallen had been correct: He was Earthside Fae.  
    “She’s under a spell that backfired. Either she can’t—or won’t—turn back. A gremlin snagged her a good one.” Shade frowned. “She’ll be okay, won’t she, doc?”
    Dr. Burberry listened to her heart and then gently examined the scratches. “I’ll get you some salve for these so they’ll heal up without infection. She’s lucky. The gremlin didn’t scratch terribly deep. That and the fact that she’s a Were made all the difference. If she were just a regular cat? She’d probably need to be hospitalized.” He paused, then a sly grin stole across his face. “You say she can’t turn back just yet? What a pity. Oh, but I forgot—I really need to take her temperature.” He winked at Shade and held up the thermometer. “Hold her while I grab her tail, won’t you?”
    Delilah yowled, loudly, and seconds later, her golden fur shimmered as she shifted back into human form. The next moment, she had practically fallen off