I grab hold of Rogue’s boot as Jason drags me past, one last-ditch attempt.
“Wake up,” I beg, a keen in my throat and tears streaming down my face. “Wake up, Rogue.Please.”
Jason rips me away and throws me into the back of their truck. I grab for the handle but there’s a guard there, waiting, with a cloth in his hand.
I try to hold my breath, scratching at him with my nails until he swears, forcing my head back. Grubby fingers press over my nose until I have no choice but to open my mouth. My head swims as the chemicals filter into my bloodstream.
Please. Please let them wake up, is my last thought, before I succumb to unconsciousness.
ChapterForty-Three
Devlin
There’s a foul metallic taste in my mouth.
Groaning, I try to roll over, the light burning my eyes. Sharp rocks dig into my arm.
Someone is shaking me, shouting. My eyes feel blurry and gritty as I stare up at them.
A pungent scent waves under my nose, and my mind sharpens.Fuck. Fucking hell.
Princess.
I sit up, head pounding, and Ezra’s face swims into view, filled with horror. He takes a step back, tucking a bottle into his pocket.
Pushing him aside, I stumble to my feet.
“Princess!” I bellow. I remember her turning to run as my legs collapsed under me.
Please tell me she got away.
I shout her name again, desperate for her to appear. “Harper!”
Nothing. My knees threaten to buckle underneath me.
“Devlin,” Ezra snaps, shaking my shoulder. I run my hands over my face and nod.
“I’m okay,” I tell him hoarsely. “Need to find Harper.”
He studies my face and heads over to Gabe. Ace and Rogue are both up, pale-faced and unsteady on their feet.
“What the fuck,” Ace mutters, cheeks tinged with green as he battles not to vomit, “was that?” He drops to his knees next to Ezra as Gabe stirs.
I’m as stunned as they are. When the guard told us to move outside, something told me that things weren’t right. I thought I’d been prepared, but I hadn’t seen the tranquilizer coming.
What the fuck is the compound playing at? And where have they taken Harper?
If they’ve touched a hair on her fucking head, I’ll torch the compound and dance on their ashes.
Rogue has his phone up to his ear.
“Dad,” he says roughly.Christian’s voice echoes through the phone, and Rogue explains. I motion and he hits the speaker button so we can all hear.
“I haven’t authorized any extraction,” Christian says urgently. “Whoever this was, it wasn’t us.”
Ice steels up my spine as Gabe moans in distress. Ace’s jaw clenches and Rogue stares at the screen.
“Are you sure?” he asks urgently. “Can they do it without you?”
