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“Rapunzel?” Glinda’s sickly-sweet voice calls out from below, cutting off whatever she was going to say next. “Let down your hair, my dear. I forgot something.”

Cold dread slams into me, hard and fast. “Rapunzel,” I whisper urgently. “Don’t let her back up here. You cannot trust her. She—”

“Stop,” Rapunzel cuts me off. “I don’t know why you’re saying these things, but you’re not even supposed to be here.” She glances back at the window. “If she catches you here—”

“Rapunzel?” Glinda calls out again. “Let down your hair,” she demands. “Right now.”

“Go.” My fated one gestures animatedly to the wardrobe. “Hurry.”

I don’t like this, but I do as she says, tucking myself back into the wardrobe as she drapes her long braid over the hook near the window before tossing the rest of it over the side for Glinda to ascend.

Rapunzel is not a Fox Shifter. She doesn’t feel the fated bond like I do. I’m still a relative stranger to her. One who has yet to fully gain her trust. And until I do, I must be careful how I speak to her about Glinda.

Rapunzel obviously doesn’t realize what’s being done to her. Seven hells,I’mnot even sure what the witch is doing to my fated one. I only know that whatever it is, it cannot be good if Glinda is using her magic to lull Rapunzel into sleep as she weaves spells while combing her hair.

As Glinda climbs in through the window, I struggle to remain still as my Fox paces back and forth beneath the surface, like a caged animal.

Glinda’s shoes click against the stone floor as she walks to Rapunzel and takes both her hands. “Rapunzel. Are you certain no one has been here?

Rapunzel’s gaze flicks toward the wardrobe before she shakes her head.

I grit my fangs. It’s a small glance, but it’s enough to alert her captor.

“Liar,” Glinda snaps, her words cutting through the air like a blade.

Lightning fast, I shove the doors open and leap out, my Fox ready to burst forth and defend my mate as I position myself between her and Glinda.

“What have we here?” Glinda narrows her eyes. “Tell me, Fox. Just how did you manage to find this place?”

A faint shimmer of light ripples across her hands, revealing short, black claws, that vanish in a flash, returning to blunt, human nails. It happens so quickly, I doubt Rapunzel even saw it.

“Goblin,” I murmur under my breath, and her eyes widen as I straighten to my full height, baring my fangs. “Drop the disguise, witch.”

“What… what is he talking about?” Rapunzel blinks at Glinda in confusion.

Glinda’s lips pull back in a snarl, revealing two rows of white fangs as her entire form ripples. Her golden hair changes to lavender as her pale skin turns violet. Silver reptilian eyes replace human ones, narrowing as she glares at me, extending her dagger-sharp black claws.

Rapunzel staggers back. “Glinda?”

My Fox bristles with rage as my protective instincts flare brightly. “Stay behind me, Rapunzel.”

The Goblin witch smiles, her sharp teeth gleaming like a predator savoring its prey. “So, you’ve found a protector, my little bird. How sweet,” she says, tone mockingly affectionate. “I certainly hope you’ve not become too attached to him.”

Glinda cocks her head, her unnerving silver-rimmed eyes flicking over me, assessing, calculating.

My claws lengthen as I glare at her in return.

Her gaze flicks to Rapunzel. “How could you allow a stranger into your tower?” She tuts, shaking her head. “I thought I raised you better than that.”

“I don’t understand,” Rapunzel’s voice quavers. “Who are you really? And why have you been lying to me?”

“Oh, my dear, please forgive me. I couldn’t tell you the whole truth.” She gives Rapunzel a sad look. “But I promise you that everything I did was for your protection.”

My jaw tightens. This Goblin is trying to manipulate her. “Protect her from what?” I challenge. “From some supposedly evil witch that wants to capture her?” Glinda levels a dark glare at me as I continue. “You’re the one keeping her captive here.”

Anger blisters through me as I recall Rapunzel’s story of how she came here under Glinda’s protection, and everything falls into place. “You’re Drusilla, aren’t you?”

The Goblin’s eyes widen in shock before her lips curl in a feral snarl. “Don’t listen to him, Rapunzel. He’s a fox.A trickster. Do you truly believe he stumbled upon you by accident?”