Chapter 6
The Price
Imove like lightning, coaxing my genetic and physical enhancements to their limits. Twisting my wrists so that I can flip upside down, I push my feet against the ceiling to gain leverage against the surface. Gravity pulls my hair downward as I hang upside down in the air.
Now with solid resistance under my body, I dredge every ounce of strength from my metal skeleton and enhanced muscles and pull on the chain.
“Get down,” Silarrian thunders, a hint of alarm in his tone.
Cracks form in the ceiling, spreading out from the metal loop embedded in the cement and outward like cracks in ice.
Just a little more pressure.
Dust floats in the air, its smell dry with the faint chemical scent of limestone.
“If you don’t stop right now, I’ll—”
The metal hook breaks free, sending me crashing toward the floor.
Reflexively, I use the momentum of the fall and twist, landing on the balls of my feet, arms bound in front of me but not for long.
Silarrian’s eyes meet mine and a flash of fear clouds their depths.
“Your first mistake was capturing a cyborg.” I smile, then yank my wrists in opposite directions, breaking the thick chain as easily as if it were made of putty. “But the fatal error was touching my wife.”
I stalk to the bars and reach out my fingers, determined to short out the shielding by grounding it with my touch.
“Lorna,” Silarrian says as he takes two steps backwards. “Cut the girl if he moves any closer.”
I freeze—my fingertips two centimeters from the shielding—and power down the electric charge I’d planned on unleashing.
Lorna, apparently the name of the guard, bends forward and jerks Tilly back to her feet.
An area of purple begins to form on Tilly’s cheekbone. The area under her eye is puffy and swollen.
These bastards must’ve knocked her out when they captured her.
That dark anger I’ve kept at bay for the past few weeks rises. Without my careful control, nothing will sate it except violence and carnage.
And right now? I’ve no desire to contain the beast.Yet I must if I want to protect Red.
“Impressive trick, Jareth.” Silarrian’s lips curl into an arrogant smirk. “But worthless all the same.” He taps a finger against his chin, then turns and strolls to where Tilly stands with the guard.
As he approaches, she spits into his face. “You fucking asshole. I’ll—”
He backhands her so hard her head whips to the side. She stumbles, flinging her arms out as if trying to keep her balance.
“I willkillyou.” My voice is low, like a growling wild animal.
“Yes, yes. I’m terrified.” Digging into a pocket, Silarrian pulls out a blade, the sharp edge glinting under the artificial light. He turns to Lorna. “Hold her still.”
While Tilly seems to still reel from the force of the blow, the woman grabs Tilly’s wrists, twists her around, and slaps on a pair of cuffs.
My seething fury blots out all internal processes and computations, and for a moment, the only thing I can concentrate on is how much I hate these two Baltins.
“Better. Now lift up her shirt.”
Lorna does as commanded and ice slides into my heart. My brave, beautiful spitfire sags against the woman. Her emerald green eyes roam the room and a deep line creases between her eyebrows.
