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Confusion and fear warred within my chest as Holden took the lead, the other guard taking the back of our grim procession.

Was this why he'd volunteered the information yesterday? Had he known they were going to take him?

But that made no sense. He was friendly with the guards, wasn't he? It had been irritating to see him refuse to talk to any of us and be his normal happy self with them. But I'd been relieved to think at least it meant he'd be safe from being chosen as a "volunteer"…

Our footsteps echoed against the steel floors as we moved to the nextcell block.

Unless … my stomach lurched. Had they figured out the plan?

No.They'd have taken the Harlsteds or worse.

The plan was safe.But that means nothing for Liam's safety.My chest ached at the thought.

Soon, he would disappear like all the others — lost to those damn red doors.

His moodiness might piss me off more often than not, but that didn't mean I wanted himgone.

Despair twisted my stomach.

I needed to find some way to abort the session and buy us some time.

My mind flew as I considered options.

Perhaps I could attack Holden at the red doors? He was always so focused on whatever was on the other side. Maybe I could use that …

Holden looked back over his shoulder, eyes narrowed as though he knew exactly what I was thinking.

I dropped my gaze. I had to be realistic. He was huge. And I could barely stand, let alone fight. Besides, I'd tried all those things when Mirrim and Gram had been chosen, but he'd just swatted me away like a flutterwing. And I was even weaker now …

Fuck!

My thoughts were a sluggish web of impossibilities and fear as we reached the tall red doors … looming over me like giants.

Holden turned the key to release the deadbolt, hands shaking, and my skin buzzed with anxiety.

We were out of time.

Steam leaked from the edges of the doors as I frantically searched for an escape.

There has to be some way to save Liam!

Maybe I could steal Holden's club?

But his fingers were clenched tightly around the handle — as though he might need it for whatever was behind the door. And the other guard was doing the same.

A whoosh of air hit me as the doors slowly slid open.

Fear thrummed through my chest as I took in the room beyond.

Shadows danced across the large, dim laboratory. Boxy machines lined the walls, and in the unlit center of it all loomed an enormous cage …

It was too dark to make out any details, but a familiar tingle of panic spread down my spine as I strained to see the massive creature inside.

We're fucked …

"What isthat?" Liam gasped, lurching forward to my side.

I tried to respond, but my throat was tight with fear.