When I left her in the room with Kate, that same foreign part ofme wanted to stay. But I fought against it.
Leaving Kate to her own devices, I left to go give my commander a debrief of what was happening in the cells. Remembering the look of the other girl is depressing.She’sdepressing. The mere sight of me makes bile rise in her throat. The distinct smell of rotting souls is potent from the moment I walk in.
Pieces of my memory are missing. I don’t know where the time went, but before I knew it, I was walking back to the room to retrieve Kallie. The condition she was left in was brutal. The vile laying on the tray beside her indicated that she was given a healing serum, but those scars won’t fade.
Walking back to her cell, she is draped in my arms, and she looks peaceful. I get a weird sense of déjà vu that can’t be placed.
Leaving her in the cage, I make sure the door is locked before going back to my room. I need a shower to wash the events of the day away.
The hot water cascades over me as I face the showerhead. Hands wrap around me from behind, and I lean into the touch. A memory threatens to resurface, and when I look down, I don’t recognize the hands. Jerking out of the embrace, I feel the stiffness in the person behind me.
“I can’t believe her today,” Kate starts. Her voice is annoying, and she’s always trying to touch me. Her hands wander over my back, my shoulders, and down my arms. I turn to face her, the desire to kiss her overwhelming me. But doubt creeps in, and I freeze, unsure. Do I really want this?
No, I don’t.
Yes, I do.
I lean in, and it feels like I’ve done it a thousand times. But when our lips meet, I jerk back like I’ve been electrocuted.
“What’s wrong?” She sounds genuinely concerned, but panic is present in her eyes.
“Nothing. It’s just been a weird day,” I admit. Shaking my head, I try to get my thoughts straight and finish washing up.
We both slide into bed, and even though the events of the day should have left me exhausted, I’m wide awake.
For an unknown reason, my thoughts wander to the girl—Kallie. There’s a nagging in the back of my head, thinking about what was done to her today, and it bothers me.
No, it doesn’t.
Yes, it does.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Kate rolls over and throws her arm over my stomach, nestling her head under the arm I have propping up my head.
“Nothing.”
“Whatever you say,” she sings. She rolls over, and I think it’s to sleep, but I hear the distinct sound of the drawer of the nightstand opening. It piques my interest. But before I can say anything,doanything, something pierces my arm, and instantly, I begin falling into a blissful sleep.
With my mate at my side.
FIVE
Kallie
The last three days have been hell. I’ve been desperate enough to contemplate drinking the bucket. But the second I felt that indescribable tingle spark in the pit of my stomach, I knew I would do anything to keep that feeling.
Weak and disoriented, I don’t fully comprehend what’s going on until I’m halfway down the hall.
“Where are we going?” I muster the faintest sound, but nobody responds. Lolling my head to the side, I keep my eyes closed, letting the scent of eucalyptus calm me and the sway of whoever is carrying me rock me back to sleep.
A flutter starts deep within me, and when I open my eyes, they’re assaulted by the bright white light above. I try to shield them, but my arms are held captive, bound to the table by leather straps.
“Finally,” a feminine voice breathes. It takes me a few seconds to get used to the brightness and gain my bearings. Just as Kate’sface comes into view, white-hot pain laces down my arm, and I let out a gravelly cry.
The skin threatens to stitch itself back together, but I hold it off, letting the blood pour out of the wound. “What’s so special about you?” she spits, disdain coating her words.
“Wish I had an answer for you,” I push through clenched teeth. She rolls her eyes then punctures my side with the blade, pushing it all the way to the hilt. Gasping for air, I can feel my body begging to repair itself, but it’s not time.
Blood bubbles out the corner of my mouth, and I feel it pool at the base of my neck.
