Again, I wrestle with the urge to go back down to the omegas, but I cannot bring myself to do it. The image is etched into my brain. The cages. The naked bodies. The brutality. The stench of filthy skin, sweat, blood. The faces, feral, terrified.
Finally, two cars pull up in front of the building.
I recognize one as Storm’s. The other one is unfamiliar. I wait for them in the doorway.
Storm approaches first. Jordan walks beside him, dragging one leg only slightly. He’s obviously much better than the last time, though he hasn’t fully healed yet. His expression is strange, his face pale, and his mouth drawn tight. He doesn’t look at me. His entire posture radiates tension.
Behind them comes a tall man who looks strikingly similar to Jordan, only even more solidly built. An alpha in his early forties, with dark hair and dark eyes. I can guess it’s Detective Arnold.
Two more police officers follow him. He clearly did not arrive with a full police unit yet, but in the distance I already hear sirens and an ambulance. More units are already on the way.
"Eliano Ferro," I introduce myself as he approaches. "Daniel Tanner is in the studio," I explain calmly. "He is handcuffed and unconscious. He was given a dose of a sedative."
"My brother told me you are… the brother-in-law of one of the victims?"
"Yes," I say, realizing this is exactly the right way to put it. "I came here to find the location of Senu’s remains, but ended up discovering so much more."
Then I gesture toward the door.
"Come with me. The entrance to the basement is in the kitchen, hidden behind the refrigerator. But Tanner is there." I point the way.
Arnold signals to his two officers to go to the studio and secure Tanner, while he proceeds downstairs with me, Storm, and Jordan.
The sight that greets us below clearly makes a strong impression on all of them.
That is hardly surprising, though the detective seems the least visibly shaken, probably because he has seen his share of fucked-up things in his career, but even he gives a small shake of his head in obvious disapproval.
I glance at Jordan. He has been standing rigidly next to Storm the entire time, his hands clenched into fists. I can almost physically feel the stress running through his system.
What is going through his head, how he is processing this, I have no idea. He does not look relieved. He looks deeply distressed.
"He’s in…" I start, but Storm stops me.
"No. Don’t tell him. He’ll know if Senu is his fated mate. He’ll pick the right cage."
Jordan’s dark eyes lock onto Storm. He curses under his breath, then turns toward the cages.
"Do you really think this is a good idea right now, this kind of test?" I mutter to Storm, so quietly that a beta’s hearing couldn’t possibly catch it.
Storm nods firmly.
Jordan scans the omegas in the cages. Detective Arnold, positioned beside us, watches him closely as well, clearly intrigued.
Finally, Jordan stops at the last cage, where Senu is curled up.
He stares for a second, his eyes meeting Senu’s. Then he turns his head toward us and gives a small nod.
Storm and I nod back, smiling in a way that feels almost inappropriate in a place like this. But come on! He picked Senu out of seven people, and that means something. And he didn’t hesitate.
Even Detective Arnold raises his eyebrows and lets out a soft whistle.
A slow breath loosens in my chest. I can hope now that Senu’s fate will finally begin to change for the better, and hopefully fast.
We step closer. Jordan is still staring. I’ve rarely seen a human face turn so pale. Chalk white.
"Senu," Storm says unexpectedly, his voice gentle. "I am a purple alpha with a certain special gift. I can see people’s True Mates, either in person or from a photograph." He clears histhroat and gestures lightly toward Jordan. "This man here is your True Mate. By an unbelievable twist of Fate, I happen to know him. I thought bringing him here might help you."
Senu’s eyes shift to Jordan’s face.
