I’m not sure how much time passes—maybe I dozed, maybe I’m just in shock. But I realise with a jolt I haven’t asked Luke how he got to be here.
How do I know I can trust him?
I stiffen, and he must feel it or sense it, because he sits up.
“What’s wrong?”
Go with the truth or lie?
I figure at this point I’ve got nothing to lose. Will I be able to tell ifhelies? Come to think of it, shouldn’t I be able to hear more than the rumble of the engine if I’ve got enhanced senses now? I’ve got so many fucking questions, but I bite my tongue.
First things first.
“Where did you come from?” I ask him. “I woke up and you were here.”
Soft laughter and a gentle shoulder nudge. “I wondered when you’d start to question things. To be fair, going through the change messes with everything.” He nudges me again. “I would’ve said something, but I figured you were dealing with enough without wondering if you had to worry about me too.”
Fair enough.
“You’ve still not answered me.”
“I tried to escape, but I got caught.”
“Escape from where?”
“Fight rings move all over the country. But they keep the fighters somewhere else until they’re needed.”
“Where?”
I feel him shrug. “I don’t know for sure. We get put in vans like these, where the front is soundproofed so you can’t hear them talking. We get out the other end and get put in cages until it’s our turn to fight. Then we get transported back.”
“Why?” I whisper, horrified. “Why do they do it?”
“Money. Although in Fox’s case, I think he gets off on pitting shifters against each other. Since the hunter council introduced all their laws, he couldn’t mess with us like he used to. So he had to find a new way.”
And thatusnow includes me because, thanks to Birch, I’m no longer human.
Christ. I’m no longer human.
What the fuck will I tell Ash? Or my dad?
I’m still stuck on that when we suddenly pull to a stop. “You think we’re at the place where you escaped from?”
The doors are yanked open before he can answer and my heart drops to my feet, because that’s a fucking cage. Standing outside with his hand on the door is Fox, with four others I don’t recognise.
“Shit.” Luke reaches for my hand. I squeeze it tight, fucking terrified.
“Get them in the cage and locked in. We’ll collar them before the fight,” Fox orders, then turns to me. “Bet you’re wishing you’d gone with your dad, right?” He grins, and I’m moving before I’ve registered it, a snarl ripping from me, but I’m grabbed and shoved to the floor before I get close to him. My jawthrobs and my fingers ache, but I can’t see claws and my teeth feel normal when I run my tongue over them.
Fox leans down and grips my jaw, squeezing hard.
Fuck, that hurts.
“Tsk, tsk.” He grins in my face. “What do you think those cuffs are for?” He lets me go with a sneer and steps back so they can shove me headfirst into the cage. I stumble and fall forwards, unable to catch myself before hitting the floor. They toss Luke in next, and the sound of the lock sliding into place is the worst thing I’ve ever heard.
Fox taps the bars. “Get some rest. You’re gonna need all your strength for tonight.”
He turns and leaves, and it’s then that sounds seem to rush in and hit me from all sides.
