Wheeling Gull Isle paperback dreams in their deep dose,

After a small eternity, Ava began to breathe somewhat normally. Caracal’s touch became soothing now, his paw gently rubbing up and down her back. Ignoring the tears joining the rest of the saltwater on his own face, he bent down to clean hers. Sometime during these gentle ministrations, she reached out and clung to him. Caracal folded over her, cradling her close to his chest and slanting his face away to avoid dripping tears on top of her small head.

You’re gonna be okay, little girl, he crooned. We’re gonna be okay.

He had been so caught up trying to get her out of the water before she drowned and then clearing her lungs of water, he hadn’t really thought about the whale’s strike. When it hit him—sort of like the orca’s fluke had hit her—Caracal’s jaw clenched while the rest of his body loosened. He continued holding Ava, though not so tightly, knowing she must be in pain.

I won’t leave you. But I want to find you something to help with the pain. Do you think you can walk, Ava? If I support you?