A small, young girl lay in a hospital bed. She was so thin the bed dwarfed her tiny frame. A ventilator tube thrust into each nostril pushed air in and out of her lungs continuously.
The girl shifted her head, her dark eyes finding mine. My chest clenched and my feet went rigid on the floor. Oh…no…no.
She was not a little girl.
It was Sera.
I stood at the door, not able to move.
Sera turned her face to the ceiling, the bones in her cheeks so thin and sharp they cast shadows on her pallid complexion. Her body stirred under the blankets, and she closed her eyes as though that minuscule movement was exhausting.
“How are you feeling today, Sera?” Rapava moved around me, walking to her bedside. He never once looked at her but kept his focus on the monitors around her.
She didn’t respond or reopen her eyes.
Rapava glanced over his shoulder at me then returned to his charts. “When we first tested you, it wasn’t long before we realized you were cured of the blemish in your DNA. We tried to inject her with your blood. It did not take.” He lifted her wrist, taking her vitals. “Another thing I need to understand. Why you are changed, but the same blood did not alter Sera.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but quickly slammed it shut. It was not blood which altered me but a fae-induced storm. Electricity so powerful and intense it dragged Ryker’s powers from his body into mine.
For a long time I was merely a carrier of them, a duffel bag, until they started to adapt to their new home. Now they were fully mine, and the only way Ryker could get them back was to kill me. If I died by another hand or in an accident, they would forever stay locked inside me.
The doctor was not aware of this knowledge. If I told him the truth, what would happen? Would he be able to save Sera’s life? Or would having that information only destroy thousands of others? Whatever decision I made, lives were on the line. And no answer was right.
I took a step into the room, my gaze tethered to Sera. We had never gotten along. Actually we couldn’t stand each other, but now all I saw was the connection between us. She was the only one still alive like me. The link went beyond sisters or family.
My boots dragged me to the side of her bed, like a magnet. I wanted to flee, to walk away from the dying girl, but I couldn’t. My hand reached down and touched the blanket over her legs. Sera tilted her head to look at me.
Sadness and fear formed a block in my throat. I could not speak. Selfish or not, I didn’t want her to die and leave me all alone. Without her it would only be me, the only experiment left, the last living freak who had been designed and concocted in the lab.
“Does she know?” My question came out before I could think.
“As much as she needs to.” A frown creased the doctor’s forehead. “I guess you put some questions in her head the night they tried to capture you on the roof.”
I saw Sera’s lids narrow, her black eyes spark with anger.
“She knows she was an experiment and that she’s dying.” Rapava patted her shoulder. “I will be sad to lose this one. She would have made a great fighter if the blood had worked.”
My stomach rolled at his blunt, cold demeanor.
“You think I’m callous about her demise?” He turned his head, watching me.
“Yes.” I swallowed, knowing the truth was probably written on my face. “Sera was one of us. A seer. You created her.”
“And you don’t think I care if she lives or dies?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I do. Very much. But death is something I had to grow accustomed to at an incredibly young age. I’ve experienced loss you could not even fathom.” He looked back on Sera’s form. “I grew up near the Soviet Union in the slums. Death, disease, and starvation was a daily struggle. Detachment was the only way we could survive. I lost my mother and an infant sister in a bombing. My mother used her body to cover us. But the baby didn’t live. I survived under my mother’s corpse for three days before they could dig me out of the wreckage. My brother was born disfigured and was killed because of it. Another brother died of disease.”
He paused, sliding his hands in his coat pockets. “Even then, my father was a true believer in Stalin and moved us north, to the heart of the Soviet Union. Stalin was dead, but my father was devoted to his beliefs and got a job as a janitor for the government. I was put to work at eight. My father’s position allowed me to attend school. But it was there I acquired the most knowledge. I learned about the existence of fae. The government was aware of them. I uncovered dozens of files containing truths most would never know, but I did. They started wars to feed off our suffering, greed, and violence. They caused the war which killed my mother and sister.” Rapava’s brow furrowed, his words sharp and angry.
I stood stock-still, taking in every word. I was not sure why he was telling me this, but it was more than I ever knew about him. He was an exceedingly private person. Showing emotion was rare for him, and it captured my attention like I was under a spell.
“My father’s iron fist pushed me to achieve greatness. To be the next Stalin. I ran away when I could from his grasp, but I vowed I would do something with my studies and awareness of the fae. Use them, like they use us. Help people like my brothers.” His neck whipped back to me, his eyes narrowing in like an eagle sighting its prey. “And I have. I have achieved more than my father’s small brain could ever dream of. I will keep going till I have accomplished my goals. Sera’s death will be merely another causality in this war. But the research means everything to me and the human race. Leaders have to look at the bigger picture. Not one life, but thousands.”
Oh. Wow.
Frightening as his speech was Rapava made more sense to me now with his past and how and why he became the man he was today. The harsh world he lived in, all the death and sadness, pushed so far down, he no longer felt it.
Someone cleared their throat at the door, and I spun around to see Liam filling the doorway.
Rapava straightened, shaking off his past, and returning to the composed doctor. “Come in, Liam. Spend some time with her.” He indicated the empty seat next to Sera.
Liam nodded, heading for her bedside. “Thank you, sir.”
“Come, Zoey. There is something else I would like you to see.” Rapava grabbed my bicep, clapping down with ownership. Fury burned through my limbs at his touch. And I wiggled free of his grip. No matter his past, he still had become rotten to the soul. He could convince himself he was doing good things, but he was no longer doing what he set out to do. He had lost his way a long time ago.
He turned for the door, his distinct steps ramming in my ears. I swallowed, about to turn and follow him, when Sera’s fingers wrapped around mine. Startled, I jerked my head to look back at her. She was frail, but her gaze drilled into me. Her eyes were filled with desperation and unspoken words.
I didn’t know what she was trying to tell me, but it seemed important. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. Somehow I would get back here. Alone.
I squeezed her hand.
Relief fluttered her lashes. Her fingers slid from mine, her eyes drifting closed.
“Zoey?” The doctor said my name from the doorway.
I circled around the bed and moved to the exit. As the door drew closed, I saw Liam sit, taking Sera’s hand in his. Pain and adoration filtered over his features, an expression I had never seen on him before. Emotion twitched the muscles at his jaw.
I never knew for sure if anything happened between them, but the bond between hunter and seer was enough. It broke my heart to see his pain, no matter how much of a jackass he was. Sera was his partner. When you trusted someone with your life and could understand them without a word, the relationship went beyond love or friendship. I had it with Daniel. I didn’t want to tell Liam the loss he was going to feel when Sera passed would be unbearable.
The door clicked and Rapava moved down the hall.
“How long does she have?” I asked, keeping in step with him.
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“Not long. Days. Maybe a week.”
I took in a deep breath, rolling my shoulders back. Guilt congealed in my gut. No matter what kinship I felt for her now, I kept silent.
I followed him to the next level. There were at least two more below. The last one was restricted, needing a different card and a thumbprint to get access. I needed entry to that floor, where Dr. Boris Rapava kept all the things which would bring this place down.
I will do it, Daniel. I promise.
The doctor’s long legs strode along the hallway, veering down the same passage where they had locked me up. I clenched my jaw.
“You are not the only thing that came back to us that night.” He cut down another corridor. A rush of air escaped through my teeth. The use of the word thing to describe me was like a thousand needles. At one time, he treated me with respect. Maybe even liked me.
“What do you mean?” I kept my voice even and unemotional.
Rapava stopped in front of a windowed room, nodding his head toward what was inside. I took a step to the glass, my eyes latching onto the little figure on the hospital bed, fast asleep.
Sprig!
My heart cried out. It took everything I had to hold the reaction under an indifferent facade. My lids flickered, hiding the emotion at seeing my best friend. I didn’t know if I was more relieved to see him alive or upset he was back in DMG’s hands, subject to their torture and experiments.
“Was he part of the trade?”
“Yes. He is our first successful animal-fae case study. This specimen is ground zero in our work here at the lab. The two of you are especially important to our continued research here, Zoey, and I hope you understand the good you are doing for mankind.”
What a bunch of bullshit. I used to believe his notions and think we really were doing something valuable. Now who was to say one life was worth more than another? Did all those fae who had families, people who loved them, deserve to be kidnapped, dissected, and tested for the benefit of humans? Once upon a time I would have said yes.
Looking at Sprig now, his little body coiled in a ball, defenseless and powerless to what the researchers would do to him, all I wanted was to wrap him in my arms, burrow him close to my chest, and protect him with everything I had.
Sprig’s arm twitched, and he stirred in his sleep, coiling himself into a smaller ball. He looked scared. The entire time I’d known him, he slept sprawled on his back or curled around either Ryker’s or my head or Pam. Now his pose was defensive.
“What are you planning to do to him?” I kept my gaze locked on my buddy. Everything in me wanted to tear through the door and snatch him up into my arms.
Rapava cleared his throat, taking a step next to me. “Like with you, I need to understand why he worked when many didn’t. As I told you, he is the base of our research. It should not only be humans who can be used in our battle against fae.”
My head snapped to look at the doctor. “So this is only about your army? You’re going to torture thousands of animals and fae to breed smarter animals?”
“Not all animals. Mostly primates. They are quite similar to humans and exceptionally smart.”
If he wanted an army of intelligent animals able to understand orders and be able to communicate and fight, primates were the leading animals to try the theory on.
“Babies and animals. You like when they don’t have a voice and can’t stand up and fight against what you are doing to them.” Anger tossed the words from my mouth before I could stop them. I knew I went too far.
Rapava’s back stiffened, his eyes stared at me, lids narrowing. “I don’t think you understand the true severity of the situation. This is for our survival. The human race is in jeopardy, Zoey. Our world is being stolen from us. Whatever it takes, we need to learn how to survive and fight against them.” His critical blue eyes roamed over me. “I thought you of all people would understand the most. You were held captive by them for almost four months and saw what they are capable of doing.”
I held his gaze, my nails digging into my palms as opposing words came out of my mouth. “No. You’re right. We need to do whatever it takes.”
He watched me, trying to decipher the truth in my words. I forced myself not to swallow back the knot in my esophagus. Sweat beaded at the base of my neck. Finally he nodded. “I hoped you felt that way. You are strong, Zoey, and will be a skillful warrior. Even though the fae took your body, I hoped it hadn’t taken your soul.”
I forced liquid to brim at my lids. “He tried, sir. But no matter what he did or said, I knew the truth deep down.”
Pride curved his mouth up. “Your dedication and knowledge to our cause is crucial to us. You are fundamental to our survival.” I used to strive for his praise, to crave it. To get any recognition out of him was a feat. Now I was finally bestowed with his approval, and I felt sick to my stomach. All I saw was a demented man, high on his own self-importance and superiority.
Time only enhanced his narcissism, paranoia, and god complex, narrowing his mind to see only what he wanted. He no longer saw fae as anything more than meat or subjects to be used. Even humans were not important to him compared to his vision. He would sacrifice us all if he felt it would fulfill his theories. It was hard to imagine him a small boy, weeping over his mother’s dead body or crying when his father struck him. It was almost impossible to feel he was human anymore.
“Thank you.” I turned away, no longer able to look at him. “I will do what I can for you.”
“Yes, you will.”
My nails dug deeper into my palms. We stayed silent for a few moments before I spoke. I needed to be careful. This was a high-wire act from which I could easily fall.
“Sir.” I cleared my throat and nodded to the sleeping figure on the bed. “Would you consider leaving this specimen in my care?”
Rapava turned; his frame always so stiff it appeared to move as one unit.
“He knows me, sir.” I rushed to continue before he stopped me. “He grew an attachment to me. He listens to me, follows me. At first it bothered me, but now I see it could be useful.” I shifted my gaze to the doctor and kept my voice in a questioning tone.
Rapava inspected me, his mouth clamped in a solid line. I felt heat swirl up my spine, and my heart thumped a little faster.
A slow, cruel smile arched his mouth.
I went too far. He sees through me.
“I had not thought of that.”
“Of what, sir?” I gulped.
“Both animal and sub fae seek a master, someone to command them…” He drifted off, lost in his own thoughts.
Hell. That wasn’t where I was going with this, and by Dr. Rapava’s expression, his mind was going nowhere good. But right then all I could worry about was getting Sprig.
“I will allow you to supervise him. It will be an interesting case study.”
Whatever idea existed in his mind frightened me, but it allowed access to Sprig. It was the only important thing right now.
CHAPTER SIX
Rigid and terrified I walked toward Sprig’s prison. Muscles along my shoulders and back constricted under Rapava’s gaze. He was egotistical but incredibly smart and extremely manipulative. Every moment was a test. And failure probably meant death.
Please don’t wake up, I chanted in my head. If Sprig woke and saw me, I knew he would give away our true relationship in a matter of seconds. The sprite didn’t have a filter in his body. Food, feelings, thoughts—he held nothing back.
I walked to the bed where he slept. The metal box they kept him last time sat on the table next to the bed, as if it were threatening him to behave.
He stirred, smacking his lips, his hands tugging his tail in tighter. Tears pricked at my eyes, and I bit down to keep them back. My best friend was here in this hell, but he was all right. My muscles strained against the need to grab for him.
My fingers brushed his soft brown fur as I scooted my hands gently underneath him, picking him up. Highly aware of Dr. Rapava on the o
ther side of the window, his watchful eyes felt like they were drilling holes through the glass.
“Deal, chipmunk,” Sprig mumbled, wiggling restlessly in my palms. I froze.
Shit.
“No. No. The troll has to strip…that’s the rules,” Sprig yelled, his lids fluttering open. He glanced around, then twisted his head to peer at me and blinked. I could see recognition setting in. My stomach sank, breath catching in my throat. I dropped him back on the bed.
“Bhean?” His eyes widened into saucers, filling with joy.
What I had to do now was going to destroy me, but with Rapava watching my every nuance, it was the only thing I could. Even if Sprig didn’t know it, I was keeping him safe.
“Bhe—”
“Shut up, sprite,” I snapped. “I told you not to call me that.”
Sprig’s mouth opened then shut.
“For so long I had to pretend I was sympathetic to you. I’m finally back where I can be myself again.”
“What?” He sat up, frowning at me.
“You heard me. I don’t have to suffer any more crap from you, fae. I only pretended to care, so I could get away.” The lies crossing my lips felt like battery acid.
Hurt filled Sprig’s gaze, stabbing my heart.
“Now if you want those banana chips I know you like so much, you will do what I say.”
“Banana chips?” Sprig frowned. “You know—”
“Yes, banana chips.” I cut him off. Please understand. Sprig hated bananas. I was hoping he’d get I was acting.
“What the hell, Bhean? Are you drunk?”
I grabbed him and thrust him into the cage, slamming the lid closed. The bang of the metal was like putting my heart in a panini presser.
He will understand, I told myself. He will forgive you.
Sprig, for everything he had been put through, had the biggest, most sincere heart. He didn’t love in halves. He wasn’t capable of cruelty or manipulation. He was himself. A genuine, pure, open heart. And mouth. The verbal diarrhea off Sprig’s tongue was what I was deathly afraid of at the moment.
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