“I’m sorry, Megan. I wish things were different. I’m trying to help.”
Megan let out a bitter laugh. “Help? By poking and prodding us like lab rats? By locking us up and stealing our freedom? If that’s your idea of help, I don’t want it.”
Emily felt the sting of her words, even though she understood the anger behind them. “I can’t explain everything right now, but please believe me when I say I’m doing the best that I can.”
Megan’s eyes, once soft, now glinted with a mix of anger and despair. “Save your words for someone who cares. As far as I’m concerned, everyone who works in this place is the same.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emily nodded slightly, understanding Megan’s position even if it hurt to hear. “I hopeone day you’ll see things differently. I truly do.”
Megan turned away, retreating farther into the shadows of her cell. Emily took a deep breath and continued on her way, her heart heavier than before.
Taking a deep breath, Emily went back to her desk. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Megan, and the difference a day had made to her mental wellbeing. Carter had to get her out of here. Soon. When his face flashed through her mind’s eye, she remembered the feel of his hand against hers, the warmth of it, the undeniable spark that seemed to pass between them. She didn’t understand it, but she couldn’t deny it, either. And she didn’t want to. He was her one glimmer of hope in the bleak place she found herself. One positive thing to cling to. But she was asking him to risk so much.
Her internal debate was interrupted by the chime of the clock on the wall. Five o’clock. Without a second thought, she rose abruptly, so suddenly that her chair teetered backward, almost toppling over. She hurried out, relief flooding her when she finally exited the facility.
As usual, Rory and Jude were waiting outside to escort her back to her condo. Emily tried to keep her nervousness at bay, knowing any sign of it could be perceived as suspicious. She didn’t want to give anyone a reason to question her or delve deeper into her activities.
Once home, she began pacing. Each minute felt like an hour as she awaited Carter’s arrival. She knew that with him, she was on the brink of something profound, and she was sure it was about more than just the facility.
The evening had settled into a quiet stillness by the time there was a knock on her door. As she moved to open it, the knotof anticipation in her stomach tightened.
Carter stood on the other side, his strong features illuminated by the dim hallway lighting. His presence caused a flutter in her chest that she couldn’t quite control. Without a word, he leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. The warmth of his lips lingered and for a fleeting moment, she thought he might close the gap between them further and kiss her lips. But he stepped back, and a tinge of disappointment washed over her.
“Good evening,” Carter greeted her, a hint of teasing in his eyes.
“Hi,” she replied softly, smoothing out a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. “It’s good to see you again.”
She stood aside to allow him to come in and they shared a comfortable silence for a moment before he asked, “How was your day at the facility?”
Emily sighed, feeling the weight of the day crash down on her again. “It was…tough. There was a shifter today, young, maybe in his twenties. He almost didn’t make it after one of the experiments. It was touch and go for a few hours. I was able to sneak into his cell and give him an antidote I’ve made in secret and he pulled through.”
“You made an antidote?”
She nodded. “It was the least I could do.”
“You saved his life,” Carter said.
Emily shrugged. “I’m just lucky they didn’t catch me.”
Carter’s jaw tensed, his eyes growing cold with rage. “Every moment we wait, the greater the risk to you. And the more they suffer. I have to get them out. I can’t leave my sister in there formuch longer.”
“I know, and you will get them out,” Emily whispered, reaching out and placing a gentle hand on his arm. The electric connection was instantaneous, but she tried to focus. “I talked to Megan today.”
His eyes shot to hers, a storm of emotions playing out. “How is she?”
Emily hesitated, not wanting to add to his burden but knowing he deserved the truth. “She’s...angry, resentful. She’s beginning to hate everyone at the facility, and I can’t blame her. We had an...uncomfortable exchange.”
Carter’s eyes clouded with pain. “I hate that she’s going through this. I have to move fast. I’m working on a plan, Emily. I won’t let them hurt her—or any of the others for much longer.”
Carter had accepted Emily’s offer of staying for dinner, and the gentle hum of the stove, and the aroma of freshly chopped vegetables set a cozy atmosphere in her kitchen. She moved from countertop to stove, expertly dicing and stirring while Carter sat on a stool, watching her intently.
“You’re quite good at that,” he remarked, motioning to her knife skills.
Emily laughed lightly, “Cooking is a way for me to relax, you know? It’s like therapy after all the stress of work.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the countertop, his gaze piercing. “Speaking of work, how long have you worked at that facility?”
“Three months,” Emily admitted, her smile faltering a little. “I’ve been working closely with the shifters every day.”
