Iris

by Yolanda Sfetsos

  For the first time, Fox looked at the old man in a different light. Maybe Spalding had once enjoyed experimenting and trying to splice one species with another to help their cause, but working alongside Kingsley Wentworth for so long made him just another casualty. Another extended limb the bastard used for his own devices and then forced into a tight corner when it pleased him.

  Ed squeezed the aging professor’s shoulders as she stood behind him. “You’re making up for it now, okay? You’ve just told them the truth, and you’re going to help them get to the tree.” She looked at Fox. “I know his behavior can never be forgotten, but maybe you can forgive him someday.”

  He didn’t respond, and instead cleared his throat. He’d think about that another day. Now, he had to focus on Iris. “So, not only are you suggesting that Iris and I separate ourselves from society until the right time, but my father will never stop trying to get his hands on her. Oh, and we’ve got a rabid bounty hunter after us, too. So, how can we possibly do any of what you’re suggesting?”

  “Don’t worry about the hunter. That’s why I’m here.” Ed stood up, keeping a hand on Spalding. “Until you get inside the building, I’m going to be your protection. Once you’re both in there, I’m going to disable the circuitry. No one will ever get in…or out. Well, not until it’s time, right?”

  Spalding nodded. “We will find the other Nymphs someday.”

  The thought did nothing to relieve the tension coiled up inside him. As much as he wanted to be all alone with Iris, he hadn’t counted on the two of them being locked away forever. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m not immortal.

  “Let’s say you don’t?” he challenged.

  “Then you’ll both stay in there until I find a solution to the rage problem,” Spalding answered. “I’m not suggesting we put you in there and throw away the key, but you both know how easy it is for Iris to lose control. Besides, with your father around, we can’t afford to risk him getting his hands on her.”

  Fox hated to admit it, but Spalding was right.

  “Okay, I think you’ve explained enough,” Ed said with a clap of her hands. “We’ll go through the rest of the plan, now. I’ve got Lottery tickets for both of you, and they’ve been rigged to win. So all we need to do now is get you to Lottery Hall in two hours, and you’ll be on your way. So, let’s get a move on.”

  Fox released a breath, made his way toward Iris, and wrapped his fingers around hers. He couldn’t help but smile when instead of pulling away, she squeezed tighter.

  We’re headed into more trouble, but if she’s not angry with me, it’s a good start.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Top Floor, Wentworth Corporation Tower

  Kingsley Wentworth III’s Personal Floor

  The urge to step outside, and onto his personal balcony, tickled his skin but Kingsley couldn’t indulge while so many crowded his office.

  He spared another quick glance at Lex’s captive. The brute maneuvered her into one of the two visitor chairs on the other side of Kingsley’s massive desk. Lex held her shoulders down with thick fingers when she struggled to move.

  Kingsley couldn’t help but gloat about inadvertently getting his hands on her. She had to be enraged and grieving after witnessing the slaughter of her beloved Cat People, and then being forced back to the place where her life had been forcibly changed.

  He might have missed out on Iris and Spalding for the moment, but this would tide him over until tonight.

  Rue, still petite and thin, tried hard not to look at him, but he could see her shiny cat eyes beneath the cover of her long lashes.

  “What have you been doing with yourself, cat lady?” he asked, not expecting an answer. Kingsley walked around his desk, and when he had a better vantage point, leaned against it. He glared at Lex, and the tall monster stood firm. Innes stood by the door, looking a little edgier than usual.

  “Fine. You don’t need to talk to me, but it’s going to be interesting seeing your reaction when you witness history being made tonight.”

  “You can gloat all you like. I won’t be impressed with anything you’ve got to show. I’ve seen it all before, and there’s not much to brag about.” Her tone was short, curt, and definitely angry.

  He crossed his arms over his stomach. “You’re lucky you’re still alive after you aided Iris’s escape. Of course, that’ll change soon enough.”

  “I need to get back to my people.”

  He laughed. “There’s nothing left down there for you, now.”

  “How could you have given the order? They’re all human.” She looked away, probably trying to hide her tears.

  “No, they were freaks!”

  “Experiments you conducted without consent. Do you think I would’ve chosen to become this if I was given the choice?” She pointed at her face, anger burning bright in her eyes. Not the tears he’d expected, and maybe even wanted to see.

  “You made your choice years ago. I simply dished out the result.” He shrugged. “Besides, you always did like cats.”

  She glared at him with so much hate, he almost laughed. “How many more of these freaks have you abandoned below? How many more will continue to be made, because you refuse to fund nourishment and bearable living conditions?”

  Her accusatory tone and defiance angered him. He hadn’t expected her to still have such a sharp tongue, preferring to see her defeated. Kingsley slapped her so hard, his palm stung. Her head snapped to the side, hair falling over her eyes. The red marks of his four fingers were imprinted on her cheek. The force of Lex pressing down against her shoulders probably made the action hurt more.

  “Even after everything that’s happened, after so many years, you still think you can dictate how things should be?” He rose and headed back toward his chair. “I couldn’t care less about the people below. The gods know I’ve tried to exterminate them enough times already, but they keep on living—like cockroaches making it out from the ruins of a nuclear explosion. One day, I will clean up this city from top to bottom. Who knows? With the surprise I’m about to unleash, maybe it’ll happen sooner than later.”

  “You’re not even human anymore, Kingsley. Looks like every time you get into that machine of yours, you become a little less humane,” Rue hissed with disgust. Her head was upright again, dark hair mussed and over her eyes. The fur on the bottom of her cheeks and under her chin reminded him of just how much control he’d held over her when Spalding changed her. It made him cackle.

  “Survival of the fittest and whatever it takes.” He shrugged with a smile. “Anyway, I’m getting bored with this conversation. Lex, this time, I need you to deliver Iris to me ASAP. No more provisions, you got it?”

  Lex nodded before he stepped away from Rue and followed Innes to the door.

  “I want Spalding, too. Don’t fail me! I need Iris and Spalding in my office, and your payment will be transferred immediately.”

  “What about my wife?”

  “She’ll be all yours as well.” In a body bag.

  Innes and Lex left, and when the door closed behind them, he was alone with the woman he knew had once loved him for the man she’d mistakenly assumed he was.

  “I can’t believe you’re still carrying out these despicable acts in order to get people to do your bidding,” she spat.

  “If you take what someone desires the most, they’ll be sure to deliver.”

  “What do you want with the young girl?”

  “None of your business.” His gaze turned to the monitor on his desk, where Iris walked around the massive tree. She was naked and beautiful. A smile curved her pouty lips as she turned around to find Fox approaching her. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed or known about their interaction for so long. It was only after Spalding walked out that he’d found these secret surveillance disks in his quarters.

  Fox and Iris had known each other since they’d been kids. Of course, he’d realized there’d been something between them the night Fox tried to bust her out of the
building. Still, even then he’d assumed it was because his son had stumbled upon her, and his self-righteous illusions had urged him to save her, not because they’d had an ongoing friendship.

  He’s so much like his mother. It had driven Kingsley insane from day one. He’d always hoped his son would turn out ruthless and cold, but Fox was weak. He cared about those around him, whether he knew them or not.

  Bloody fool had paid with his life.

  “She’ll never bow down to you,” Rue continued.

  “How do you know she hasn’t already?”

  Rue smirked. A line of crimson spilled from the side of her mouth. “If she’d already bowed down to you, you wouldn’t be chasing her all over the city. She was smart enough to get away, and I doubt you’ll get her back.”

  “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

  “You’ll never find Spalding, either.”

  That made him pause. “Is that your way of telling me you know where he is?”

  She shook her head, a little too quickly. “I don’t know where he is, but I know he’s allied himself with some very powerful people who won’t let him down. Not like you did.”

  “I think it’s time we tried to extract a little information from your brain, Rue. It seems to me like you’re helping the two people I’m after the most.”

  “You won’t get anything. I’ll die before I allow you to read my thoughts.”

  “My dear Rue, you know with me that’s always a possibility.” He turned to face the balcony and clicked the glass door open. It slid to the side.

  “What are you doing?” Rue called, squirming in her chair.

  The fear of the outside world still gave him so much control over these people. It was genius. “I’m getting some fresh air.”

  “You can’t step outside. It’s toxic!”

  “Is it?” He looked over his shoulder and laughed at her shocked expression. “Don’t look so grave. Soon you won’t even remember who you are, let alone that you watched me do this.”

  With his face tilted toward the sky, he stepped outside, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the way each drop wet his skin a little more, until he was drenched in it from head to toe.

  He lowered his face and stared at the waterproof screens now displaying random advertisements. The Rave Floor was the current one. The stupid fools who frequented that place were so off their heads with chemicals, none realized he had them exactly where he wanted them. Subliminal messages in the upbeat music kept them in a constant loop of drugs and dance—prisoners by their own choice.

  Kingsley Wentworth wrapped his fingers around the railing in front of him and let out a bark of laughter.

  Nexus City and everyone in it belongs to me!

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Iris couldn’t believe the depth of the latest round of revelations. What started out as a quest for answers about her life, after waking up all alone and cold inside a dark basement, had evolved into a joint journey with Fox.

  Instead of accessing memories, she’d opened up an ancient can of worms.

  No matter how many calming breaths she took, her hands still shook. Even though Fox provided strength and constant support, she felt so alone. She’d gotten some scientific answers, but still didn’t know who she was. A hollow sensation had started inside her stomach and was slowly spreading.

  What if that’s all I am…some sort of experiment with no real emotions? No, that couldn’t be true, because she felt so much for Fox. She’d also wanted to help others. She couldn’t just be something a bunch of scientists had cooked up. I have to be a person.

  She couldn’t believe her visions of a young Fox had been confirmed by Spalding. Or that the man who was convinced she belonged to him was Fox’s father. When she’d first realized Fox had kept something so important from her, her anger overrode everything, but she wasn’t stupid. In his own way, Fox had wanted to protect her from the truth.

  “I’m so sorry I lied, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you. Not when he’s caused you so much pain.” Fox’s eyes glowed under the dim light overhead. “I’ve never been proud to call myself a Wentworth. Most of the time, I couldn’t understand why I was so different from him.”

  Her mind raced, unable to concentrate on his confusion or pain. “I still don’t remember how or when I left him.”

  “You left Kingsley only a handful of nights ago.”

  Iris looked over her shoulder and watched Spalding’s wobbly approach. He appeared to have aged since she’d attacked him upon waking from her horrid visit down memory lane. He leaned heavily on a walking stick he clutched tightly with his right hand.

  “How?” She had to know as much as she could. She couldn’t believe her life had started centuries ago inside a lab, with three other girls. There were probably three sisters out there, lost or taken over by some other madman who also wanted to use and manipulate them. Maybe it was why the outside world called out to her so strongly. Maybe one or more of them needed her help.

  “I arranged for someone to bust you out.” Spalding paused. “You were supposed to hide out in the basement for a day or two, and then meet me on this level, but you never showed. It wasn’t until I saw you down in the Weasel auction house that I realized it was you. I have no idea what happened in between.”

  “My memories…who took them?”

  “I don’t know.” He peered into her eyes.

  “Then how did they disappear?”

  “It could be post-traumatic stress. Maybe after your first violent act, you repressed everything.”

  It would explain why she’d blacked out at the first sign of anger. Being scared, alone, and capable of such carnage would be enough to push her over the edge.

  “Okay, are we ready to move?” Ed approached the old man. She was a little taller than Iris, a lot curvier and stronger, with radiant red curls bouncing off her shoulders every time she moved.

  “Yeah,” Fox said, taking Iris’s hand. “As ready as we’re going to be.”

  “Wait!” Honey ran toward them and stopped in front of Iris. “I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve both done for me and my child. White would have been very proud and grateful.”

  Fox handed the cans to her. “Here, you enjoy these with your child. I’m sure we’ll find food where we’re going.”

  “There’ll be more than enough for you there,” Spalding said with a nod. “Now, go with Ed, and she’ll get you over safely. She knows the way, but the green light will guide you, Iris. Trust your intuition.”

  “Thank you.” She bowed at the old man and hugged Honey. “I won’t forget you. Please thank Rue for me. We never did get a proper goodbye.”

  Honey nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “Take care. I hope we meet again, someday.”

  “You can both count on it,” Spalding said with a cough. “I’ve got enough of your blood here to test several theories. I’m positive I’ll find an inhibitor.”

  She wondered if he’d live long enough to do what he planned. His face was gaunt, with grayish tones around his cheeks. He looked sick. Had her attack jolted him so badly, or had his true age finally caught up with him?

  “Okay, you two follow me.” Ed gave her grandfather a quick hug and motioned for them to follow her into the narrow corridor, leaving Honey and Spalding behind. At the end, another metal door awaited them. This one was also guarded by a shirtless man. Ed winked at him, and he unlocked the door, allowing them to walk outside before locking it behind them.

  Murmurs and conversation erupted around them, and it took Iris a moment to realize they were standing on the perimeter of an open plan market, but the ceiling here was lower. She couldn’t see any children, and there weren’t any stalls. Instead, there were dirty sheets of fabric partitioning sections off from each other.

  “What is this place?” she whispered to Fox.

  Ed met her gaze. “This is a game room. It’s where people get together to talk, tell stories, or play a few games. It’s also where a
lot of people come in with their last hope of scoring a lottery ticket.” Her eyes glittered, and she lowered her voice. “You two have yours, right?”

  She nodded, feeling the front pocket of her pants just to ensure it was still there.

  “Yeah, we do. Now, get us to the Lottery Hall. We don’t have long,” Fox said with a curt nod.

  “No, you don’t. Now, don’t forget. I’ll be dropping you off and will then meet you on the Rave Level, okay?” Ed sighed. “As much as I hate having to lose ourselves amongst all those chemical heads, it’s the fastest way to get there, and also the hardest one to be detected in. Anyone tracking you will have a hell of a time. At the moment, crowds are good for us.”

  With that, Ed turned on her heel and continued past the many people seated or standing around in groups. None bothered to look their way, as they followed the redhead. Everyone was busy talking, listening, or trying to get the attention of someone. Iris noticed a few young, scantily dressed girls dragging much older men by the hand into the darkest corners of the room.

  The exchange sickened her.

  That she didn’t truly belong in this world seemed to become more apparent with every new step they took. The fact that Fox and her would be locked away inside a building for an indefinite amount of time made her nervous. She wanted to get outside, feel the rain, and connect to the lightning. So what if rage and anger eventually won out? As long as she was outside, she could open every one of her extraordinary senses and search for her sisters. Then, they could help heal the battered earth without the risk of hurting anyone. There weren’t other people outside, right?

  “Is everything okay?” Fox whispered near her ear. He had an arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders.

  Her long braid caught beneath his arm, and she had to readjust her head to nod. “This is just too much, that’s all.”

  “I understand how you’re feeling. I still can’t believe we’ve known each other for so long and couldn’t remember. I swear I’ll kill my father for all the bullshit he’s put us through.” Fox spoke through gritted teeth, eyes straight ahead.