Page 15

"Horrifying, isn't it?" Holden growled, eyes alight with a nervous but excited glee. "I told them letting you keep your memories would make you fight less." His eyes slid to the enormous cage. "But the Reaper thinks this daily terror is better."

So, whatever was in that cage was at the center of my daily torture, and the memory loss was intentional…

Holden grabbed my arm and tugged me towards the machines on the left side of the room. I stumbled after him, but my eyes never left the monster hiding in that dim cage.

It sat unmoving, but I could almost swear I could feel it tracking me as I moved across the room.

Was it like this every time? Did I struggle and fail … every single day?

Liam's guard pushed him towards a thick metal chair bolted to the ground in front of the caged creature.

Gods! I have to get him out before —

My stomach twisted, and I cut off the dark thoughts.

Today is a new day, and I WILL find a way to save Liam.

Holden stopped me before a similar chair, and a slender man in a long white coat and a clear face shield approached us.

He studied me as he walked, brown-eyed gaze methodical and intense.

I glanced back to see Liam's guard locking a pair of heavy metal manacles around his wrists and ankles.

Why isn't he resisting?!

Panic throbbed in my veins. Perhaps if I could overwhelm Holden, I could get to Liam and unlock —

"Nuh-uh. I know that look,Savior," Holden sneered, shoving me into the metal chair facing Liam and the creature. "I know all your tricks. A hundred times we've done this — and a hundred times you've fought. But you haven't won a single one of them."

"Fuck. That." I gritted out as I fought him, body shaking with exhaustion.

He immediately overpowered me.

And within seconds, my arms and legs were restrained, the same as Liam.

I gritted my teeth.This isn't the end — I'd find some way. I had to.

"You may wait by the door," the man in a lab coat said, nodding to Holden, who strode away without a backwards glance.

"Please!" I yelled, voice cracking. "Don't do this —"

"Kaiya, look at me." Liam's voice was warm, soothing … almost like the old Eli. "It's going to be okay."

A sob built in my throat as I turned to look at him — those green eyes somehow clear and steady.

"No, it's not," I snapped. "We need to get out of here."

"It's not like I did anyone any good while I was out there." He smiled sadly. "And it's better me than someone else, right? Just — find some way to remember and keep my aunt and uncle —"

"STOP," I yelled, eyes burning. "No one is dying today!"

I'm not losing another person.

"She's right, boy," the man said, tilting his head as he studied the two of us. "Although your fate won't be much better."

My heart stopped. We'd all wondered what happened to those who were taken … but actually knowing?!

And what fate was not much better than death?