“No. With me.” Somehow, impossibly, the lion’s focus stayed on her. His amber eyes burned, his chest heaved, but he did not move. Ben rose slowly, clutching the limp bundle, and slipped away, disappearing through the service gate. The creature vanished from the den without King realizing.
Margaret lingered a little longer, keeping her voice steady until she too stepped back from the railing. King turned then, circling the spot where the bundle had been. He lowered his head, nudging the empty ground, a questioning rumble rising in his throat. He searched once, twice, before settling again, curling protectively around nothing but bare stone.