Giselle and Ellis exchange a look.
“What is it?” I snap without meaning to. “If you’re holding something back from me, things won’t end well for you.” I can feel my adrenaline kicking in.
Ellis moans, “Michelle and Liam got into it. Apparently, Lex put the moves on Liam, or at least Michelle thinks so. Dude, I do not want to know what’s going on. As long as I’m with my girl, that’s all I care about.”
It warms me to hear Ellis talking about Giselle that way.
“And that’s exactly why I’m going to keep you out of harm’s way.” I give his facial scruff a quick scratch and dart into the crowd before he can protest. I nearly run right into Gage and Chloe lumbering awkwardly on the dance floor before I make a hard left and head straight for my intended targets, Ezrina and Nev.
“How’s it going?” I can’t help but note Ezrina has not only tamed her mane, but she’s donned a sparkling black gown for the evening. Heathcliff looks dashing per usual. “I hear testing on the Spectators is a no-go.”
Nev scowls. “It’s a gray area, my love. I’m afraid we should err on the side of caution. But we’ve managed to find other subjects.”
Ezrina nods. “Tests are encouraging.”
“What other subjects?” My heart makes a hard leap right into my throat.
Ezrina’s dead eyes look to mine. “Rabbits, squirrel, two raccoons, and five pigs.”
“What? I thought we discussed this already. No animal testing. Absolutely not.”
“Not to worry.” Ezrina bleeds a slow smile that never quite takes off. “All done with animal testing.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“Moving on to humans.”
“No, no, no!” My body enlivens with horror. “We’re not ready. I can’t have this. There will be no human sacrifices until you’re sure it won’t be fatal.”
“Skyla,” Nev pleads with his tone. “I’m afraid we’re at that stage. But not to worry, we already have three.”
“Who?” Logan runs through my mind, and if he’s done this I’ll forbid it.
“Cooper.” Ezrina’s stony features remain unchanged. “Brody and Ellis.”
Nev lifts a finger. “The three musketeers.”
“They’re far too kind, but I’ll have to decline. We’ll find another way. The three of them have far too much to live for, and they are far too young and valuable to the organization for us to lose them.” My words sink down like a bitter pill. “Look, everyone is far too valuable. I’m not putting one life above another simply because of their ages and stages in life. Ezrina, this is one trigger I’m going to be very slow to pull. Only when you are certain that death will not be a consequence can we proceed.”
I try to take off, but Ezrina steps in my path. “Others will perish the longer we wait.”
“Ezrina.” I close my eyes, exasperated with the idea. “I’m paralyzed with fear. I don’t want to see any unnecessary casualties.”
She reaches for my hand, a move that defies everything I know about Ezrina, considering she’s the one that removed the hand that was originally on my left to begin with.
“Skyla”—she gravels out my name—“some might argue these casualties might be necessary.”
“I won’t be one of them.” It comes out softly as if I were acquiescing. “Please, don’t make a move without me.”
“As for now there is no need. The pigs are doing well, and Alice has taken a liking to them. I’ll be moving them to Sector Marshall’s estate if you care to bring the boys over.”
“That sounds nice.” I glance over to Ellis and Giselle and spot Gage and Chloe with them as well. Ellis looks as if he’s on the defense, while Chloe and Giselle prattle on about something. You really need to screw up royally to have Ellis pissed at you. The only people still talking to Gage are Logan and Coop. Speaking of which. “Have either of you seen Logan?”
“Yes.” Nev straightens as he cranes his neck into the crowd. “Last I saw, he was with his brother, Liam. It appeared to be a rather heated conversation.”
“It’s nice to know his night is as colorful as mine.” Siblings. “I’d better go look for him. And by the way, Marshall was looking for the two of you.”
“Indeed he found us.” Ezrina’s eyes sharpen over mine. “He gave me orders to defy you in the event you decided to stand in the way of human trials.” She gives an impish grin and I choke in response to it.
