His laughter was slow and deep and made me aware of the tiny little hairs on the back of the neck. “I hope you’re innocent,” he said. “You’re fun to have around.”

***

Scout Duty seemed to entail actually staying in the basement all day. Travis’s presence made the whole morning shower routine a bit blush-inducing since there was no way he couldn’t see through the flimsy curtain, but I wasn’t going into my trial unwashed. I settled by showering in my bra and panties, thinking it would be like wearing a bikini. It probably would’ve been if I hadn’t felt Travis’s eyes on me the whole time.

But other than the part where I felt like an unwitting porn star, having him around was nice and distracting. I was practically starved for conversation thanks to my solitary confinement, and Travis wasn’t hard to talk to. He lived up to pretty much every Texas stereotype with his love of football and country music, but we found mutual ground when it came to old slasher movies. We spent a good hour or more trying to decide if Freddy or Jason were more badass.

It was two hours after another parade of my favorite foods - corn dogs, Doritos, a Little Debbie brownie, and more Mello Yello - when there was a hesitant knock at the door. It was the day of the new moon, so my nose wasn’t working at full strength, but I still could smell a hint of baby shampoo and fresh baked bread.

This time it was Bob who stood on the other side of the door, but instead of pulling the gun, he simply ushered in Talley and then stood on the side opposite Travis.

“You’re in a jail!” my best friend exclaimed as she rushed towards the bars. I yelled, “No!” at the exact same moment Travis reached out and grabbed her arm. He managed to stop her before she actually touched the metal.

“That’s wired, sweetheart. Don’t want to see you fry like mosquito on a bug zapper, now do we?”

“You’ve put her in an electrocuted jail?”

Talley’s outrage was comforting in some respects, especially since it reflected my own feelings on the subject, but I hated seeing her so upset.

“Is jail the right term?” I asked, walking up as close as I dared to the bars. “Doesn’t that indicated a multiple cell facility? I think this is more of a cage. Maybe a prison, but cage really captures the feel more.”

“Whatever it’s called, it’s wrong.” She turned on the Shifter with narrowed eyes. “You said she was comfortable.”

“She is comfortable,” Travis said. “The bed has got a new mattress and everything. It’s nice, ain’t it, Scout?”

“He’s right. This is pretty top of the line as cages go.”

Talley ignored my comment in favor of keeping her focus on Travis. “Let her out.”

Travis ducked his head. “Sorry, Talley. You know I can’t do that.”

Something licked across my skin. A tiny pulse of power that seemed to be coming from Talley. “Then let me in.”

Travis looked at Bob, who shrugged as if to say, Whatever, dude. I’m just here in case I get to shoot someone.

“I’m doing this because I like you and your girl here made me a promise.” He looked at me over Talley’s head as he undid the lock. “Saint-like, remember?”

“See this?” I said, pointing at the space above my head. “Halo. Glowing bright and proud.”

“And you?” he asked Talley.

“There is a reason Jase calls me Mother Teresa.”

Travis didn’t even try to hide the boyish grin on his face or knowing look in his eye. “Oh, we all know the reason.” Catching on to his meaning, Talley’s face flamed. “You girls have thirty minutes, so be good.” He locked the cage door behind Talley and then resumed his post.

Talley had her arms wrapped around me before the hum of electricity started vibrating in the bars. “I can’t believe they’ve put you in a cage.”

“I can’t believe you can’t believe they put me in a cage.”

“Are you okay?” she muttered in my ear. “Have they hurt you?”

I shook my head, enjoying the human contact. Normally, I merely tolerate Talley’s hugs, but after two weeks without being touched in the waking world, I starved for it. “I’m well fed, well exercised, and abuse free,” I assured her. “Lonely and bored, and being stuck with the same five novels for the two weeks is a special kind of hell, but I’m okay.” I squeezed her a bit harder. “How are you?”

“Good.” She released her hold on me. I held on for a second or two longer and then let her go. “They’ve been really nice to all of us. Lizzie, one of the other Seers, has even been helping me with my abilities since we’re both Soul Seers.”

I raised an eyebrow, knowing Talley had to realize she should be the one giving Lizzie lessons.

“I’m glad you’re being taken care of,” I said, meaning it. “I would hate to break out of here and kick someone’s butt if they were mistreating you.”

Talley’s face clouded over. “Honestly, Scout, I had no idea it was like this for you. The way True talked, I thought this was like a basement apartment. I would have never just sat idly by and let them do this.”

“Tal, it’s not so bad. Really.” I grabbed onto her wrist and tugged her towards the bed. “Come, experience the comfort of swanky mattress.” As I coaxed her into sitting beside me I sent a message through our skin to skin link. There was nothing you could do, I told her. If you would have tried anything they would’ve stuck you and the boys in here with me. What good would that have done anyone?

The images I got in response included a truck, a gate, and a barn.

It seemed brain to brain communication was one of those things that needed constant practice to keep sharp.

Our thirty minutes passed quickly with Talley updating me on reports from my parents (Dad was angry, Mom was worried, and Angel was in the process of redecorating my bedroom), how the boys were doing (Charlie wasn’t falling apart again and Jase was, big shocker, fitting in nicely), and my best defense strategy (unfortunately, she still hadn’t discovered a nice, logical reason I was able to Change). Before we knew it, Travis was opening the door, telling Talley to get the show on the road.

“I love you,” she said, unshed tears in her voice.

“You’re worth twelve of me. Take care of yourself, and keep an eye on the boys.” Because, even knowing what transpired between Jase and the Alpha Female, he was still my brother, still mine. “Don’t let them do anything stupid.”