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“It’s more than that.” Mathew leans forward eagerly. “Some humans carry dormant shifter genes. Recessive, inactive—but present nonetheless. Evidence of interbreeding generations ago.”

I go completely still. “That’s impossible.”

“Is it?” Mathew’s smile widens. “We’ve identified several genetic markers. Tested them extensively.”

“What does this have to do with me?” I ask, though a cold suspicion is already forming.

“You, Dr. Sorin,” Cassian interjects, “have the most promising genetic profile we’ve ever seen. With the right stimulus, the right catalyst, and just the right amount of sacrifice—”

“You could become something extraordinary,” Mathew finishes, eyes alight with scientific zeal. “We’ve been developing a serum to activate those dormant genes. We want to elevate you. To make you the bridge between the two species. Imagine the possibilities!”

“You’re insane,” I whisper. “Both of you.”

“Insanity is a matter of perspective,” Cassian says coolly. “Where are the others?”

Others? What others?

I can feel my body becoming heavy. I have to get out of here. If they’ve called in reinforcements…

I stand abruptly, knocking my chair over backward.

Mathew sighs, reaching for me, but I’m already moving. I grab the heavy wine bottle from the table and swing it hard, catching him across the temple. He staggers back, blood instantly welling from the gash.

Cassian moves with supernatural speed, but I’m running on pure adrenaline. I hurl the bottle at him and then overturn the table, sending the glassware crashing to the floor between us.

However, I lose my balance.

Before I can hit the floor, Mathew catches me. He doesn’t seem angry, just smug. Guiding me to a chair as my legs finally give out, he asks, “Do you remember when Cassian brought you to the facility? You were supposed to meet me.”

I stare at him, horror dawning even through the growing fog in my mind. “You’re the crazy scientist I was supposed to work with?”

“I prefer the term ‘visionary.’” Mathew grins, crouching to my eye level. “But yes. I was devastated when you escaped with the wolf king. Your mind, Maya—it’s extraordinary. The work we could have done together…”

My brain is getting confused now. Fear is thick on my tongue.

The door opens, but my vision swims too much to make out who enters. Voices murmur around me, distorted as if I’m underwater. I try to focus, to fight through the haze, but whatever they gave me is holding my mind in a thick fog.

“Time to go,” someone says, their voice unnervingly gentle.

Hands grip my arms, lifting me to my feet. I try to resist, but my limbs won’t cooperate, moving like they belong to someone else. I’m guided out of the restaurant. Nobody helps. Nobody questions why a barely conscious woman is being escorted out.

“Just had too much to drink,” Mathew explains to someone, his voice carrying that convincing concern that now strikes me as utterly false.

Warm air hits my face as we emerge from the building. A car idles nearby. I’m folded into the backseat, my head lolling against the window. Through half-lidded eyes, I watch the restaurant shrink behind us, its golden lights blurring into streaks as we speed away.

Time fractures, skipping forward in disjointed chunks. Highway lights. Dark forest roads. The crunch of gravel under tires. My consciousness fades in and out, never quite reaching clarity.

When the car finally stops, I’m vaguely aware of being carried. A door opens, closes. The air smells musty and unused.

“Sit her here.” Cassian’s voice, sharp with authority.

I’m placed in a hard, wooden chair. Rough rope scrapes my wrists as they are bound behind me, tight enough to bite into my skin. My ankles are secured to the chair legs, immobilizing me completely.

“She’s coming around,” Mathew observes. “The dose is wearing off.”

Cold water splashes my face, shocking me into greater awareness. I gasp, blinking rapidly as the room swims into focus. A small cabin, sparsely furnished. Medical equipment lines one wall, familiar and terrifying.

Cassian stands before me, smiling that pleasant smile that now turns my stomach. “Welcome back, Dr. Sorin.”