'Yes! I can hear you!' I replied, excitement bubbling up. Despite my amazement and happiness, the warmth of the fire calmed me down again moments later.

Thoysal smiled. 'Good. I was worried that these enchantments would also block telepathy, but thankfully, they don't. I'm going to ask you some questions. Is that alright?'

I nodded, and he continued. 'Very well. Let's start easy. What's your name?'

'Zanixa. It means 'my little flame'.' I gave him a fox-smile. It didn't work the way it did with humans, but it got the message across.

'It's nice to meet you, Zanixa. You know this already, but I am Thoysal, the vampire that lives with the Sharion pack. Are you aware that the people here are werewolves?'

I shook my head. 'No? Is that why all their eyes are amber, like a wolf's?'

'Yes. Only the Alpha, Oscen, has blue eyes in wolf form. His family is interesting that way. The Alpha and the Ira are the leaders of the pack,' he said before changing the topic. 'Anyhow. Do you know what year it is?'

'I have no idea. When I was captured, it was mid-Racran, 13.978 after the creation of the Second Generation.'

The vampire watched me silently for a moment, and I felt surprise and shock trickle through our telepathic connection. I whined in confusion and worry. Had I said something wrong? Did my mind make a mistake after spending so long alone in a bottle?

'It's Mafrelan, 14.251 years after the Second Generation of gods was created,' he stated quietly after some time. 'You have been in that bottle for over two and a half centuries.'

I simply stared at him. Two and a half centuries? That would've given momma plenty of time to find me...

She hadn't found me. All that time, she wasn't there. Had she stopped looking? Had she given up on me? Was she glad I was gone, after trying to run from her as often as I had?

I dug my claws into my tail, but the pain in my body was nothing like the pain in my heart. My momma had given up on me. She didn't want me. Otherwise, she would have come.

The warmth from the fire attempted to calm me again, but it didn't work. I buried my head in my now bleeding tail, trying to shut the world out. Soft, hurt whimpers came from my throat.

"Is she okay...?" the young man asked. He must've heard my whimpering. Probably because they were werewolves, with their enhanced senses.

"She will be. She needs time," Thoysal replied. I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to look up. Warm, coppery liquid dripped down the side of my snout before vanishing into the glass of the bottle without a trace.

I whimpered once more before the warmth could seep into my body and make me feel safe again. Still, my heart ached.

'Zanixa?' the vampire tentatively inquired.

After a moment to steady my mental voice, I replied, 'Yes?'

'Do you know how you can be released from the bottle?'

My ears perked up at that. I did know, but no one had ever been there to do it for me. 'Yes! You have to pull to cork off. They made it very simple, but us inside the bottles couldn't reach the cork. There always was a barrier in front of it to keep us from pushing it open.' I huffed in annoyment at that.

'If we open the bottle, do you know what will happen?' he asked.

'Once the bottle is opened, the spell is broken and the creature inside of it is released. The creature will then return to its true size, and its magic is unlocked once more. Be careful about the magic when it comes to certain species, as they will be more than ready to use it against you,' I recited. 'On top of that, once released, they will come back to life. This means that from then on, they once more require food and drink, depending on the species. Be prepared, and have cages, spells, and enchanted whips at hand.'

'Those aren't your words, are they?' He watched me with curiosity.

'No, but we have all heard the Collector boast about the bottles before. It's a Tamer's secret of some sort.' I shrugged and winced slightly as the wound on my tail moved.

Thoysal nodded thoughtfully. 'What is your true size? We wouldn't want to release you down here, only to find out you're the size of a boulder.'

'I would reach your hips. I could probably put my paws on your chest if I stood up,' I replied proudly. I was nowhere near as tall as my momma, but I was still tall.

'Then it's most likely best if we do this outside,' he said before looking at the two werewolves in the back. "We can let her out, but she's larger than a normal fox. We'll have to do it outside, which means the pack will notice. You haven't told Oscen or Sila of your findings yet, correct?"

"We haven't. We first wanted to make sure that we actually know what's going on," the male replied. I still couldn't see him, but I could hear him.

"I know you Omega's aren't fond of dominance. I could tell the Alpha and Ira, if you wish."

"That would be greatly appreciated, though we'd have to ask Esna first."

I heard the scraping of chairs on the floor before the two werewolves walked over to watch me. The blonde said, "She's quite something... Who will take care of her once she's out?"

"You found her, so I would say you'd have to do it, but Oscen probably thinks otherwise. He will most likely still include you, as Zanixa knows you most," Thoysal replied, glancing back at me.

All of them looked up, towards the door. The werewolf that had decided the others' roles earlier walked in moments later. "You've managed to communicate?"

"Yes, and my findings were quite interesting. I think we should take it to the Alpha and Ira -- or rather, get them down here. There may be a way to get her out."