Kane smirked. “I only wish I could compel you.”
Her wolf-segen charm prevented him from influencing her, yet her belly knotted. “How do I know you are not?”
“Trust me, it’s not like I haven’t tried.”
“If you come with, you can’t talk while I’m working with any animal.”
“I’ll be silent.”
“Good wolf,” Gaby smirked. He followed her into an elevator to the underground section of the new asset containment area. A security guard sat in front of the entrance. “I’m going to check on Sahira our new Bengal tiger.”
The guard stood. “Only you are cleared to enter.”
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Gaby turned to Kane and gave him a sardonic smile. “Go on. Tell him you want to come in.”
Kane met his eyes. “I have clearance to enter.”
The guard nodded. “Yes.”
They went through another door that read, Wild Predators. Only Handlers Beyond This Point.
The intense smell of tiger and lion urine accosted Kane’s sensitive nose as they entered. There were five huge enclosures, complete with dens and trees. “Underground zoo.”
“We call it man-eater zoo.”
“Oh?”
“We have six big cats; two lions, one Siberian tiger, a mountain lion, and two Bengal tigers including our newest asset, Sahira.”
“You mean assassin-in-training kitties?”
“All our wild beasts were brought in because they have killed and, in some cases, eaten people. Stand back. I’ll show you my charm at work.”
Kane stood away. The lions charged him and roared, most likely not pleased about his presence. His wolf growled back. The large male snarled and struck at the glass barrier.
Gaby turned toward the enclosure and closed her eyes. The lions silenced. They backed away and returned to their dens.
Kane’s fangs receded. “What did you tell them?”
“I told them you are my companion and to go back to napping.”
“I like that.” I bet they thought she meant mate.
She approached the tiger’s enclosure. “Sahira.”
The tigress slowly stepped out of her den and approached Gaby. She rubbed her head against the glass and chuffed, a sound he recognized as a friendly greeting. Odd, he remembered. “Seems friendly enough. How many people has she killed?”
“She’s eaten nine people that we know of.”
“So it will come natural to her when you ask her to kill.”
“Actually, I can ask any animal to attack, but our policy is to use dangerous ones experienced in killing.” She slumped. “I hope to get out of here before Giles or his second in command Tomlin makes me use them again.”
“Don’t worry. No one will ever ask you again to use animals as weapons.” Unless, she counts me.
Gaby glanced at a food slit. “At least she ate all her beef.” She entered information into her tablet.