Therian Prize(73)
Her knees tensed against his thighs. “What did Zophiel do to deserve being ‘taken care of’ by Ian?”
“It’s a long story and I only know bits and pieces. I’ll tell Ian that Zophiel might still be alive and you can ask him your questions at dinner.”
* * * * *
Heather and Jake met Devon at the sanctuary an hour before dinner. Jake crouched before Serra’s cage and tried to draw her attention. The tigress raised her head, golden eyes wide and alert.
“Hi, Serra. I’m sorry I had to leave before. We had an appointment that couldn’t be broken.”
The tigress shifted her head and looked at Heather, who stood half a step back from Jake. Serra’s gaze narrowed and she lowered her chin to her front paws.
How are you feeling? Is there anything we can get for you? Jake used the common link, so Heather heard the questions too.
Serra’s only response was to close her eyes.
Serra. I’d really like to speak with you.
She growled just loud enough to be heard.
Jake pulled the unlocked bars aside and stepped into the cage. Serra curled into a tighter ball, facing the corner.
“Let her be,” Devon advised. “It’s obvious she wants to be left alone.”
Jake nodded but tried one last time. “No one will harm you here. You’re safe, but we suspect there are others where you came from. I hope you’ll tell us what you know so we can help them as well as you.”
Serra didn’t react to his words so he exited but left the bars unlocked.
Devon led them around the circular room and pulled open a nondescript door. “It might take some time to earn her trust. Don’t give up.” The open door revealed a metal staircase leading underground.
“Where are we going?” Heather eyed the staircase suspiciously. Did she really want to know what these cats had stashed down there? She pictured metal bunkers and storerooms filled with guns, ammunition and nonperishable food. Didn’t they know that the end of the world had come and gone and Earth was still spinning?
Devon grinned. “There’s more to the sanctuary than meets the eye.”
Heather looked at Jake but he was looking at Devon. “Isn’t your apartment above the visitor center?”
“It is and it’s tiny. We were going to have dinner with Mom, but she got called away at the last minute. Ian’s waiting for us over at her place.”
He turned to Heather and smiled. “It’s all right. You’re about to see something few wolves have ever seen.”
“I think Landon is the only other wolf who’s been below,” Devon said dramatically.
With her heart thudding madly and her stomach clenched, Heather followed Devon down the stairs. Jake fell in step behind them but left the narrative to Devon. The air grew cool and the surroundings dimmed as they reached a small tiled landing. With rustic support beams and external utilities, the passageway looked much like a mining tunnel.
“Eli’s headquarters is through that door,” Devon pointed out, but she didn’t stop.
“Who is Eli?”
“Head of security for the rebels and master of all things electronic, but he’s already left for the day.”
“Then who’s monitoring the cameras?” Jake asked.
Cameras? As in surveillance? Heather kept the question to herself. Obviously he hadn’t meant television.
“I think Bill’s on duty tonight. Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Where does this tunnel lead?” If she just followed along she’d find out but that wasn’t Heather’s nature. Her curious mind demanded explanations.
“To rebel houses or storage facilities. We own most of the land surrounding the sanctuary. This allows us to come and go without notice.”
There was only one house in close proximity to the sanctuary. “The tunnels must extend for miles.”
“The first tunnel was dug by hand about ninety years ago. We’ve been expanding ever since.”
“Your rebellion has been in existence for ninety years?”
With a chuckle Devon shook her head. “Of course not. The tunnels have been used for everything from hiding liquor during Prohibition, to safeguarding network valuables, to acting as a bomb shelter during various wars. The most recent use has been to assist with rebel activities.”
Heather should be flattered that Devon trusted her enough to show her the underground infrastructure. Instead it made her sad. It was obvious the rebels no longer considered her a threat. She’d been conditioned to think of cats as enemies. It felt strange to be taken into their confidence.
The tunnel branched off several times before they reached the ladder leading up to Erin’s basement. “This is where I grew up, so it feels as much like home as my apartment.” Devon smiled and started climbing.