Page 97 of Outcast Fae

The giant bear fell over, his blood painting the tile red.

I’d killed him. I’d killed Silver Bear. The thought made my knees weak and my stomach clench, but I had no time for that weakness. I had no time to consider what I’d done or why. Trembling and shaking, I stepped back and wiped the blood off my hands as best I could. Then I turned toward the last door in the hallway and pushed it open.

Dazed, I stared at the small space. It was only one of their awful experimentation rooms with metal tables, trays of instruments, and computer screens. Inwardly cursing, I was about to leave when I noticed another door in the back.

Eyes scanning back and forth, I walked farther into the room and opened the door.

Vaughn. He was there, secured to a table.

My heart lurched as I took in the scene. Huge straps cut across his chest, arms, and legs, pinning him to the metal gurney. A tube ran from a bag of liquid into a needle in the crook of his arm. His face was pale and twitched in his sleep as if he dreamed of horrors.

What were they doing to him?

I tore forward, digging at the straps. “Vaughn. Vaughn!”

He didn’t stir. One strap came loose and then another. How much time did I have before guards found me? And, even if I could get him free, how could I get him back to the warehouse and off the island? He was too large to carry.

The last strap fell away. I drew the needle out of his arm, then slapped his face. “Vaughn. You have to wake up. Vaughn!”

Nothing.

Seeing no other alternative, I started to wheel him out of the room.

His eyes fluttered and opened. He moaned. I stopped pushing the gurney.

“We have to get out of here. Can you stand?” I asked.

It took a moment before he focused on my face.

“Tally?”

“I’m here,” I said cupping his cheek. “We can get out of here. Meadow Song can transport us out.”

He shook his head as if confused. “Meadow Song?”

“Yes. I know it’s crazy, but she’s helping. I’ll explain later. Can you walk?”

He sat up, swaying a little and looking disoriented. Gods, what had they given him? I glanced at the door, my worry mounting. It had already been too long. Had Meadow Song left without us?

“We need to hurry,” I said. “Lean on me.” I grabbed his arm and threw it over my shoulder.

Just as we were about to leave, a shape ran up out of the dark. I thought it might be a guard who’d found Silver Bear and was catching us in the act, but the figure was too small.

Arryn’s tiny eyes blinked up at me out of the darkness. “Tally? What’s going on?”

“Arryn?! You need to go back with the others.” My eyes pleaded with her to turn around, but she came even closer.

“Who is this?” She stared up at Vaughn.

“No time to explain,” I said, as I helped Vaughn off the gurney.

Vaughn stood and took a few steps, seeming stronger than I’d thought. Maybe we could make it out. That would only leave Sinasre in their clutches, but if he wasn’t here, I had no idea where to look and no more time to search.

“We’ll get you out of here,” I murmured as I took another step forward.

“No, we can’t leave.” Vaughn’s hand squeezed around my shoulder. For a moment, I thought he was giving me a hug. That was until he picked me up, spun me around, and placed me down on the metal bed.

“Vaughn, what are you doing?” I pushed on his arm as he held me down, but he was too strong for me. With his free hand, he reached for a strap and cinched it over my chest.