“You look cold. Here.”
The feel of Renold’s white coat sliding over my bare shoulders sent a shiver through me, and not the good kind. I accepted the offer with a forced smile, stuffing my hands through the arm holes when I’d much rather stomp on the thing. His scent—biting, like a cold winter’s wind—wrapped around me. I stopped breathing.
“Do you sense them?”
I grimaced. Talking meant I had to breathe. “Sense what?”
“Their insane minds screaming to be liberated. Don’t worry, they can’t get out of those rooms. They’re escape-proof.”
Dread trickled down my spine. “Who can’t escape?”
“Berserkers, of course. The ones who lost all control of their abilities. Sadly, once madness grabs hold of the mind, instinct takes over the body, making them dangerous to others. It’s the mutation’s sole flaw, one that I’ve worked tirelessly to eradicate. The mind and body must be strong at all times, which is why weakness is not tolerated.”
So the citizens who went missing were Berserkers? But at least a dozen people disappeared every year. Surely not all of them were insane. “What are you doing with them?”
“I keep them from hurting anyone and they provide me with blood and DNA samples. Occasionally, I have to run a test, but an able mind and body are better for such things.”
They’re not science experiments! I desperately wanted to shout, but the twisted man beside me was beyond reasoning with. Instead, I said, “So you breed women who have a greater chance of producing babies with strong, mutated genes?”
He nodded as if proud of my deduction skills. “Precisely. And the children who hold promise are brought to Tatum City.”
“And the Elite Trials?”
“They’re necessary to test an individual’s worth, making the selection process easier. But the Trials you speak of are just a small part of the whole.”
He chose that moment to turn and dismiss Lars, who looked ready to protest but simply bowed, marching off at an agitated clip. I wanted to join him. I wanted to grab his set of keys and lock myself in one of these rooms. Because Renold was pressing his hand to a print scanner, ushering me inside a door. Beyond was another set of glass doors. A woman wearing a doctor’s coat was exiting those doors and approaching us.
And I knew, just knew that something awful was about to happen. My gut was a swooping mess of nerves warning me to run, demanding I save myself from the untold horrors within.
But I didn’t move a muscle when the woman stopped in front of us, throwing me a curious look before acknowledging Renold. “Supreme Elite.”
“Are the subjects under, Dr. Yale?” he said by way of greeting.
Her brown eyes flicked to me again, but quickly looked away. “Yes, sir. Subjects three-two-one and three-two-nine are ready for you. Do you require assistance?”
“No, I’ll handle this myself.”
She nodded and stepped aside. Everything after that was surreal. The glass doors swept open, revealing a brightly lit room sectioned off into square, glass cubicles. They were empty. Except for two. And inside those cubicles were two unconscious people.
The girl who looked like me and the man who carried my heart.
Iris was strapped to a bed, her dark red hair a smear of color against the white sheets.
And Bren was held upright by a harness across his bare chest. Chains from the ceiling were attached to the wrists above his head. Even his ankles were cuffed.
Iris. She had a collar around her neck. Like mine.
But it was the varying shades of bagged liquid flowing down tubes and into Bren’s body that drove blades of fear through my chest. I swallowed again and again until I was finally able to speak. “What is this?”
“The next to final phase in the Elite Trials.”
My hands began to shake. “And what’s the final phase?”
“Sharing my legacy with the rest of the world. There will be a careful selection process, of course. Only those who prove themselves worthy are fit to rule this world. Once order is restored as it should be, we can expand. Take back the lost cities. War won’t be necessary because everyone will clearly know their place.”
“And where’s my place?” My voice trembled, but Renold didn’t seem to notice. He was beaming. Beaming.
“I made you an Elite Guardian for a reason, Lune. Your job is to protect my legacy. You will stand by my side when we petition other cities to enter the selection. One thing people understand is power, and when they see what you can do, they’ll want to follow you. Be like you. But only the chosen can obtain great power.”
“Chosen?”
He turned to me, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. I felt the weight like a thousand bricks. “Those with the ability to carry superior DNA within themselves. You and I,” he said almost reverently, “are chosen ones. The world was meant to bow at our feet.”
Metal chains rattled as Bren suddenly tensed up. A tremor went through his body. Tendons stood out on his neck. With his eyes still closed, he arched his back and screamed.
The harrowing sound shook me to the core. “What’s happening?” I demanded, curling my fingers into fists. So help me, I was going to slug Renold in the face if he didn’t answer me in two seconds. “What’s happening!”
“Calm yourself,” he said, a slight edge to his tone. “It’s all part of the selection process. If he is worthy to receive the superior DNA, his body will adjust to the enhancement.”
Wait. He injected Bren with enhancement serum? The same stuff that Ryker said would help him defeat his father?
I jammed my fists into the pockets of the coat I wore so they wouldn’t do anything stupid, like break Renold’s nose. “And what if he isn’t worthy?”
Please don’t say it, please don’t say it, please don’t—
“Then he’ll become a Berserker or die.”
All the air in my lungs rushed out of me. I would have lunged for the glass cubicle and tore out as many of the tubes as I could before Renold could stop me, but something unexpected happened. My knuckles brushed against an object in my left coat pocket. It was thin and metal, about the size of a key.
A key, or perhaps a tool. A tool that could unlock a collar?
Still unconscious, Bren continued to convulse as serum that could kill him pumped through his veins. The sight was too much, and I had to look away.
And that’s when Renold moved, opening the glass door to Bren’s cubicle.
This was my chance. I didn’t give myself time to second-guess my decision. Deal or no deal, I couldn’t stand by and watch the love of my life being tortured. While Renold was preoccupied with checking Bren’s vitals, I palmed the tool. My other hand went to my neck, feeling along the collar’s smooth surface for any holes. When I found one, I quickly raised the tool.
My fingers trembled. My heart thundered.
The tool slid inside the hole.
Perfect fit.
I twisted the thin metal and waited to hear a click that would free me, allowing me to take control of Renold’s mind and—
Wild pain shot down my spine, freezing me in place. My knees gave out and I crumpled to the floor, writhing as agony tore at my brain. A face flashed before me. Eyes made of chipped ice. He wriggled the tool from my stiff fingers, shaking his head in disappointment. Then showed me a small, square device. His thumb was pressed over a button.
Hot tears welled up and I squeezed my eyes shut.
I failed.
The pain switched off before I could lose consciousness.
Aftershocks twitched through my muscles as Renold crouched, a heavy frown on his face. “Did you really think I’d be so careless? Maybe your only thought was to react, and that’s why you continue to fail.”
He sighed, shaking his head again. “If you won’t cooperate of your own free will, then I have no choice but to enact my backup plan.” He dragged me to my feet and over to the empty cubicle beside Bren’s. I weakly struggled against his grip, hooking my ankl
e around his. He lurched forward, letting me go as he stumbled into a metal cart. Shiny objects flew everywhere with a resounding clang.
I was scrambling for a scalpel when pain streaked down my spine again. I crashed to the floor once more, screaming in agony and frustration. Renold picked himself up and loomed over me. His raw expression bled with an emotion I’d never seen him expose before.
Rage.
Fear flooded my veins when he continued to ooze fury without releasing the button. I didn’t know how much longer my body could withstand the pain. Renold stared and stared and stared, his face a mask of loathing and hatred.
For years, I used to think that I’d die by his hand. That one day, I would push him too far and he’d tip over the edge. Maybe that day had arrived.
Darkness crowded my vision. My eyes drifted shut.
“You know how much I value loyalty,” he snapped, “and you betrayed me anyway.”
I cracked my eyes open, if only to see his frustration at not bending me to his will. Even in my final moments, I refused to beg.
You cannot break me.
With a hiss, he released the button and pocketed the device.
I was too numb, too weak, too exhausted to fight when he picked me up and entered the cubicle. His coat was stripped from me. A harness was fitted over my head and snuggly strapped beneath my breasts. Chains rattled. My arms were raised. He stepped back and I sagged, but didn’t fall. The restraints chafed my ribs and wrists, but held me aloft.
Eyes like twin pools of cold fire appeared before me. He was in control again, all emotion carefully tucked inside his intense gaze. “You haven’t come this far simply to be destroyed. You’re a chosen one, but you’ll always be under my rule.”
He smoothed a hand down his shirt, straightening his rumpled collar before adding, “All you had to do was cooperate. I would have given you everything, Lune. But, once again, you sacrificed it all for him. Now I have to punish you.”
“Game on,” I breathed.
His brow wrinkled in confusion. “Excuse me?”
My mouth slowly tipped up. Even that small effort was tiring, but it was worth seeing Renold’s growing bewilderment. “You heard me. Bring it on. Nothing you do will stop me from destroying you.”
There it was again. That spark of rage.
But I didn’t so much as flinch when he went nose-to-nose with me, saying coolly, “We’ll see about that.”
He stormed from the cubicle and sealed the door shut, pausing only to slam the tool that unlocked my collar onto a metal cart. “A simple wall separates you from your freedom. But can you get past it?”
A taunt. The start of my punishment. It was effective, reminding me of the very thing I’d fought, bled, and been willing to die for all these years.
But my smile remained.
Dr. Yale arrived shortly after. Her eyes widened when she spotted the mess on the floor. But when she saw my smile, her face drained of color, and she quickly ducked out of sight.
I continued to smile as my hands grew numb and sleep pulled at my eyelids.
Because Renold had revealed his cards.
Dominic had been right. I was the linchpin, the chink in his armor. His pride wouldn’t allow him to kill me.
I would be the Supreme Elite’s downfall because I was his ultimate weakness.
Every time Bren screamed, a tiny piece of me shriveled up and died.
I was running out of pieces.
Endless hours passed. Maybe days.
Neither Bren nor Iris had regained consciousness, not when Dr. Yale continued to sedate them. She sedated me too, but only to keep me calm as she attached wires and multiple tubes to my body. Forcing me to hear Bren’s screams was probably a part of Renold’s punishment.
At one point, I dozed off, awaking to a stiff neck and nausea. The sick feeling wasn’t from whatever they were putting in my body though. It was a warning. Ignoring my sore neck, I whipped my head to the right, seeing Bren’s dangling form first, then Iris’s bed.
She was no longer in it.
Just as panic squeezed my throat, the door to my cubicle opened and Renold stepped in.
“Good, you’re awake.” He fiddled with the bags feeding my tubes, replacing a few.
I licked my dry lips. “Where’s Iris?”
“Safe.”
“Where. Is. She.”
At my clipped tone, he calmly met my stare. There was no need for rage—he was in control. “She’s in the ability testing wing. I don’t usually run tests on children, but if you prove to be an unsuitable heir, then I must get her ready to fill your shoes. She may not be my first choice, but her abilities are just as strong as yours. They’re quite remarkable, actually.”
Fear for my sister shot through me. As I twisted my wrists in their padded cuffs, the chains from above jangled, drawing Renold’s gaze. With a faint smirk, he returned to his task.
Evil piece of charger dung.
“Test me instead,” I said, hating that the words were almost a plea. “I’ll cooperate. I’ll be your heir if you leave her alone.”
He chuckled lightly, wrapping a length of rubber around my bicep and cinching it tight. “The time for deals has passed, Lune. I will make use of you in other ways until you can be properly controlled.” He positioned a needle at my inner elbow. When it punctured my skin, I grimaced, inhaling deeply to dispel a wave of nausea.
“In what ways?” I asked when I could speak again.
“I need your blood for a new serum,” he murmured. Red liquid bubbled up a tube attached to the fresh needle. I tracked the blood, my blood being forced from my body and into a plastic bag.
Time slowly ticked by as I watched my blood drip, drip, drip into the bag. When the bag was plump and glossy, filled to bursting, chills trembled through me.
Renold returned to replace the full bag with another. Then he started to chat as if stealing people’s blood was an everyday occurrence. Crap, maybe it was. “This will leave you weak but not completely drained. All the vitamins and minerals pumping into your system will speed along the reproduction of more blood. I’ll need a lot if I’m to replicate your DNA exactly.”
I swallowed past a dry throat. “And what is the serum for?”
He studied me a moment before saying, “It will be the ultimate test of one’s inner strength. A careful selection of DNA strands from each of the known ability types will make up this new serum. It’ll grant immeasurable power or certain death to those who take it. Only fate can decide which.”
“I’m assuming you’ll be taking this serum?”
“Of course. I’m one of the chosen.”
I barked a short laugh. He frowned. “What if it kills you?”
“It won’t,” he said with a touch of annoyance. “Once I’ve taken the new serum, I’ll be indestructible.”
“You’re bluffing,” I goaded. “You’ll still be human. Humans aren’t indestructible.”
“Oh?” His lips twisted into a devilish grin. “Shall we test that theory on Mr. Bearon? I enhanced his Sensor genes. His strength, predator instincts, and the swiftness with which he heals—all given a powerful boost. He’ll make a formidable bodyguard once his memories are erased.”
My heart forgot how to beat.
“You . . . you mean blocked, right? His memories will be blocked, like mine were?” Panic pitched my voice higher. I couldn’t hide it. I couldn’t mask the emotions welling up within me. “Memories can’t be erased.”
Renold gave me a knowing look. “Oh, but they can. Dr. Stacey convinced The Ridge’s top scientist to perfect the memory serum I provided. He made an antidote, it’s true, but only for the original memory-blocker serum. The new and improved serum that you and Mr. Jones so kindly delivered to me has no cure.”
Stars above, no!
Before I could succumb to a full-blown panic attack, he strode from my cubicle, pausing to pick up a scalpel from the metal cart outside. His white coat swirled behind him as he entered Bren’s cubicle.
It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I struggled for air but found none. “Don’t hurt him.”
Ignoring me, he placed the sharp blade against Bren’s stomach. “What will you do to stop this?” he said, his voice still loud enough to hear through the glass.
My chin quivered. “Anything. Absolutely anything.”
Renold’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Then beg me to spare him.”
And with those words, he finally found a way to break me.
Because when he tightened his grip and dragged the scalpel across Bren’s stomach, I knew that at last—at long last—I would do it.
I would beg my adoptive father for mercy to save my soulmate’s life.
“Please stop! Please! I beg you not to hurt him!” I shouted, jerking against my harness. Tubes and bags filled with liquid swayed as I thrashed.
Renold stopped. He turned my way. But there was no victory in his eyes. Only cold fury. “What did you say?”
I searched for the wound he’d inflicted—Bren hadn’t even cried out. When I found nothing but smooth skin, my mouth formed a puzzled frown.
“What did you say?” Renold repeated with heat this time.
I forced myself to look at him. “I said please.”
His lips peeled back in a silent snarl. “After all this time, you submit because of him? I warned you. Caring has distracted you from what is most important, and it’s time I cut out that weakness.”
Without even a flicker of hesitation, he raised the scalpel and stabbed Bren in the chest.
“No!” I screamed. Bren jerked awake with a grunt. “Bren!”
Renold pulled the scalpel free. The blade glistened red. I cried out again, yelling Bren’s name, staring in horror at the puncture wound over his heart. Then it happened. I wouldn’t have believed it if the miracle wasn’t happening right in front of me.
The blood on Bren’s chest stopped trickling as the wound sealed shut.
Renold released a surprised laugh. “He survived.” He stabbed Bren again. I was too overcome with shock to even whimper.
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