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come here. She knew I needed to hide and I had nothing to lose, so she sent me through.”
    “But why am I here?” Riley waited for an answer.
    He paced the room, his face unreadable. “I think that’s partly my fault.”
    “Your fault! How could it be your fault?”
    “Sometimes, if Aunt Bethany happens to be monitoring from that end, and I’m down by the drop point, she must be able to hear me, because equipment, food, that sort of thing will be waiting,” he paused, drawing a breath. “It’s lonely here, no one to talk to. You’ve seen the others, they’re the only other humanoids in the area. They don’t like me and I don’t like them. We keep away from each other as much as possible. I had to teach them a lesson a time or two, but they respect me. They leave me alone and I return the favor.”
    “Okay, so we’ve established why you’re here. Now, what about me?” Riley waited, fearful of his response.
    He fidgeted, seemingly uneasy about answering. “I think Aunt Bethany sent you here for me. I think she sent you here to be my mate.”
    Stunned, Riley stared blankly at him for what seemed like hours, her mind refusing to accept what he had said. She was here in this God-forsaken wilderness because he needed a girlfriend ? What kind of crap was that?
    Finally, he broke the silence. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
    “What do you expect me to say? Thank you? If even a small part of what you say is true, then I’m stuck here for eternity with a guy I don’t even know, in a place I hate and with no future. Yeah, I guess that comes under ‘thank you!’” She rubbed her hands across her face. This was a nightmare! And not for a minute did she believe what he told her, at least not most of it. The guy was probably crazy, but if he was crazy, she must be too, because she had seen that bunch of strange looking humans and they didn’t look like any people existing in her world.
    “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know Bethany would go this far. I made the mistake of saying at the drop point that I didn’t think I would be able to last here alone much longer. She must have heard it.” His face was a mask of regret.
    “And that’s supposed to make it all better?”
    “I don’t know what else to say. I’m sorry. I wish I could change the outcome, but there’s nothing I can do. Maybe, if nothing else, they’ll be able to figure out a way to bend time back so we can go home.”
    “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but one of the things I noticed while I was at the facility was that it was really understaffed and it looked like it was being closed down. At the time, Dr. Collins said they keep a small staff until a new research team came on board, but now I’m beginning to believe that’s not the case. I think they are shutting down.” Suddenly remembering, “Wait a minute, I have something for you.” Rummaging around in her pack, she found the envelope Dr. Collins had instructed she give to the research team. Nathan took the envelope and opened it, his eyes scanning the contents.
    “You’re right! They are closing down the facility.” His eyes found hers, something flickered in the depths. “We’re both stuck here, there’s no going back now and no hope of that changing.”
    Riley dropped down, her stomach knotting in anger. “This is just great! I really appreciate being put in this situation. Thanks a whole heck of a lot! Right now, I hate Dr. Collins and I wish I’d never met you!”
    Demon rose up growling ominously, displeased at her tone of voice.
    “Oh shut up, you dumb dog!” She growled back. “I don’t need your attitude right now.”
    The dog sat down on his haunches, his tongue lolling out, head tilted to the side considering her, but not showing any aggression. At least she had accomplished something in this nightmare. She turned away, refusing to look at Nathan or talk any further. Right now she had nothing to say and even though he was pretty good to look at,