Erica smiled slightly at that. “Not technically, no. Thought it does feel like it sometimes. Do you know why they have you here, Summer? Are you something supernatural?” She tried to ease her by continuing to smile softly, hoping that it would help.
The question struck too close to what the men had asked her, over and over. “I’m not what you think I am,” she said, hopelessly. “I’m not.” She couldn’t stop herself flinching backwards, against the bars of the cage. “You have to believe me.”
“Hey. It’s ok, I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.” She looked up into the girl’s eyes and listened to her heartbeat. It was beating fast because she was scared but it didn’t raise when she spoke. She wasn’t lying. Surely Derek and Peter had heard that. Why were they still keeping her here? “I believe you. I don’t know why Derek and Peter have you here..I’m sorry.”
Gulping hard, Summer got a grip on her fear and inched back toward the other girl — Erica. “Derek and Peter? Those are the men who have me?” She put her fingers through the bars of the cage. “I don’t understand why I’m here. I didn’t do anything. They keep demanding I give up the nogitsune — I’m not a fox spirit!”