He watched as the people around him slowly begin to relax and accept his brother. He had probably made more progress in the past thirty minutes with him than he had the past thirty years on his own. They made their way back over to where Magnus and Adriel stood comparing notes.
The fair began to kick off once again, mostly to keep the children calm and to lighten the atmosphere. The music resumed, and the games handlers were calling out about prizes once again.
"Well?" Magnus asked.
Adriel sighed, looking exhausted "Tarragon and Emeric are working on a wolf. It looks like he was gouged, just like Declan was. Might have been Andre. The wolf did not see who did it. I am not sure we have enough evidence to track the assailant down."
Declan nodded, then turned to Adriel.
"Emeric?" he asked.
"Yes," Adriel replied looking confused at Declan's urgent tone. Behind them, Law began cursing.
"Who's with Kari?" Declan asked.
Magnus paled.
"Where is Kari?" Declan demanded.
Everyone began to look around.
"Kari!" Declan yelled.
"Fire," Meryn said simply, her eyes slightly unfocused.
Everyone was still calling out for his mate and speaking at once, but Declan had locked in on Meryn. No one was paying her any attention except for him and Ryuu. Ryuu stood behind Meryn, his eyes concerned.
"Denka?" he asked.
"Fire," she repeated.
This time, Grant and Etain spun and looked at Declan. Adriel turned slowly, a look of horror on his face. His unit brothers knew what his nightmare had showed him.
"Kari," he whispered. "Where is she?" he asked
"Broderick's lab," Meryn answered, still looking dazed.
Law grabbed him by the arm, and they ran together. Using his magic, Law got them down to Level One, and they raced down the hallway.
At the end of the hall, they reached the door, only to see tendrils of smoke escaping tiny cracks. The lab had been made impenetrable and sealed. He tried the door, but the handle wouldn't even turn.
"I need somebody with access!" he screamed.
"Right behind you," Magnus put his hand on the biometric lock, and still it wouldn't turn.
"Hold on," Law ordered.
He closed his eyes and his hand began to glow. After a few seconds, Declan heard the tumblers turn and the door was unlocked. He tried the door again, but nothing happened.
Roaring, he felt his body completely expand. Bones began to crack as he grew taller and wider. His face began to form a muzzle. His teeth began to thicken and lengthen. His mane, which had been at his shoulders earlier, was now to his waist. A light gold fur covered his arms and his hands became black claws.
He dug the claws into the steel door and pulled, ripping it off the hinges. The people behind him cleared the way, and he threw the door down the hallway. Slumped to one side, Kari's small, pale body lay motionless on the floor.
Declan reached into the smoke, pulling her out. Around him, everyone began to cough. Law began to chant low, and soon, a bright light appeared, chasing away the smoke and putting out the flames.
"Kari!" Declan roared his frustration and fear.
Hands reached for her and he swiped his claws at them.
"Declan, you need to let us help her. She is not breathing," Magnus ordered.
He hissed and shook his head. They were trying to take his mate away. He snarled at everyone until he smelled something familiar. An arm was thrust under his nose. Pride. He looked up. His older brother stood over him, his eyes turned yellow and his hair billowing around him.
Though not in third form, Rex had also expanded with his own fear. He gently pulled Kari away from Declan, and Declan let him. This was family, this was his blood, and his blood would not hurt his mate.
Immediately, Rex began CPR. He breathed into her mouth and began chest compressions. Anytime, someone tried to get near, Declan swiped at them. After a few moments, Kari began to cough. Relief flooded his body. He pulled her into his arms, muttering her name over and over and over again.
She blinked up at him. "I am okay; I knew you would come."
She ran a hand over his muzzle, taking in every whisker. Her eyes were dancing with laughter. "I am not saying I could deal with this every day, but it is not so bad," she teased.
Relief and gratitude chased away the change. Declan felt his body shrinking back to normal again. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her body between his legs and kept her caged there. "I'm never letting you out of my sight."
"What happened?" Magnus demanded
She gasped and turned to the Prince. "It was Marcus."
"Marcus!" Law exclaimed behind them.
She turned to her brother. "Yes, he is feral. He said something about serving a bigger purpose and that they would make him a prince. I am not sure what he was promised, but he came here after me. He is insane."