The shock and trauma was still too real, too raw, to try to explain. I finally managed to stand, no longer feeling so waterlogged even if my clothes were now heavy and dripping. I couldn't even consider them much cleaner than they had been seeing as how the river was pretty murky. "You should take it slow." He stood as well, hovering close to me like he wanted to help. "You'd better get back," I muttered, pointing toward the mansion. "Tell them you lost my scent or something. Maybe you can convince them you were chasing me, rather than leading me. Thanks for the rescue, but I gotta go." He scowled, reaching for me and scowling deeper when I pulled away. "Do you really think I would just leave you?" "I've got it under control." I didn't want him to get into any more trouble with h

