Page 22 of Revenant (Spirit Realm #2)
HICKS
W e each take turns standing guard outside of Rue’s dorm. Not trusting anyone to head off alone, we rotate showering in the room next door. Gunner and I washed first, then I sent Gunner off with Ellis when it became apparent what the twins were doing in the bathroom.
While I’m fucking jealous of the twins, I’m also happy for them. I try to allow them their privacy, but unfortunately, I can’t go far…which means I hear every fucking thing they do to her?—
her cries of pleasure, her whimpers and moans.
It’s impossible not to picture them pleasuring her in vivid detail. I inhale sharply, and fuck if I can’t smell her arousal, even through the doors. Whatever the fuck they did to me, my senses are heightened to the point of distraction.
Sounds are so sharp, I can hear air moving in and out of everyone’s lungs, the heavy thump of their heartbeats, the gurgle of their stomachs, the scratch of clothes when they shift, even the thud of footsteps when they move.
If I concentrate, I swear I can hear a rat fart from inside the walls.
The scents are almost worse, the stench of the asylum an assault on my poor nose. The only thing that keeps me from being overwhelmed is the reassuring beat of Rue’s heart. When I concentrate on the comforting sound, I’m able to ignore the rest of the world.
Which means I can hear the twins fucking her…and how much she’s enjoying it.
My cock throbs painfully, my pants so tight that they’re threatening to cut off my circulation. As much as I will it away, sheer determination isn’t going to work this time.
I smile wryly… That never seems to work when Rue is involved.
As much as I want to release my cock and rub one out, I refuse to allow my concentration to stray from my guard duties, which is why I sent Gunner off. While he would give his life to protect her, I’m not sure he could control himself if he had to listen to the twins give her orgasm after orgasm and not lose his shit.
A strangled scream comes from the direction of the bathroom, and I’m not even aware that I’m skulking closer until I’m standing in front of the shut door. My head drops to my chest, and I clench my hands into fists to keep from reaching for the knob, desperately trying to rebuild my fractured control.
Footsteps sound from the hallway, and I whirl to face the threat. My body hardens as I prepare for battle, my skin heating until I swear that steam coils up from my clothing. Cocking my head, I focus on the footsteps, easily able to differentiate the tread of more than one person. I inhale deeply, recognizing the scents of Gunner and Ellis.
I’m unsure if I could describe what they smell like if anyone asked me. My brain just supplies one word—family.
I relax slightly just as they enter the room…until I notice their hurried pace.
“They’re coming,” Ellis says, his gaze looking worriedly in the direction of the bathroom. Gunner closes the door to the dorm, then stands guard in front of it.
I don’t hesitate to turn and pound on the bathroom door. “Guards incoming.”
As they scramble to dress, I listen for the guards but don’t hear anything, even with my new enhancements. Not that I doubt Ellis. I glance at him, then still when I realize he’s changed as well. It’s not obvious, like with Gunner and me, but I can almost sense static hovering around him. It’s not quite crackling against his skin, and I realize that it’s not coming from him, but more like he’s drawing it toward himself.
Whatever that serum did to us isn’t natural, and I’m grateful to Rue for still being alive. The only reason I’m not freaking the fuck out is because Rue seems so accepting of the changes. Maybe I should be furious that they fucking experimented on us, but I’m oddly accepting of it.
If this is what’s needed for us to be able to protect Rue, then so be it. We just need to figure out how to control our new abilities and use them to our advantage to escape. Once the doctor figures out what we can do, he will guard against it.
“What are you doing?” I ask Ellis, curiosity getting the best of me.
Ellis blinks in surprise, then a dusting of red colors his cheeks. His eyes are calculating when they meet my own. He isn’t hiding information from me, more like the poor man is incapable of answering without analyzing every angle before he speaks. He’s been the same since we were kids, thanks to his controlling parents. I doubt he can answer spontaneously without blowing a circuit in his brain.
The doors behind us open just as he speaks. “It’s like I can see the electromagnetic waves in the air. When I touch them, it’s like a keyboard, and any information I want is at my fingertips. Different waves show different information. The longer I study the waves, the more patterns I see. It’s like being hooked up to a supercomputer without needing an interface.”
I can tell he’s excited by the prospect and would like nothing more than the opportunity to study this new development until he knows the extent of his abilities. Before I can demand more information, he continues, “One signal is what the soldiers use to communicate. The doctor ordered them to deliver us to him immediately.”
Rue’s face is stricken, but I don’t have a chance to reassure her before I hear the chime of the elevator arriving. We have five minutes, at most. I glance at the rest of the guys and quickly summarize what I know so far. “Whatever we were injected with has changed us. Gunner’s rage has increased, and so has Ellis’ knowledge. Jaceson…”
I look at him expectantly.
“Ghosts.” He answers without hesitation, fidgeting with the cords of his necklace hidden under the collar of his shirt. “They’re keeping their distance from Rue, but I’m able to see and hear them.”
I nod and turn toward Jameson.
“Healing,” he supplies without prompting. “I watched how Rue healed people, and I am able to mimic her to a certain extent. I can still hear the ghosts, but their voices are muffled. I have to concentrate if I want to understand them.”
Everyone turns expectantly toward me, but I’m staring at Rue with concern. She looks sick to her stomach at the revelations. Worried that she will run, I step in front of her, blocking out the rest of the room. I cup her face in both hands so she can’t hide, then take control. “Breathe.”
I inhale deeply, and pleasure fills my chest when she instinctively does as ordered.
“Again,” I demand, watching the anxiety in her eyes recede, and I nod in approval. “Good girl. We don’t have time to panic. The guards are heading down the hallway as we speak.”
She hesitantly places her hand on my chest, and I cover it with my own. Everything inside me stills at her touch, the wildness settling. In normal circumstances, I would do everything in my power to sever that connection, refusing to allow anyone else to have control over me.
Rue is different.
I don’t feel trapped like I would with anyone else.
Instead, I feel like I belong to her.
Strangely enough, I find that comforting.
A content rumble fills my chest, and if I didn’t know better, I would almost swear that I’m purring. Thankfully, the sound is so soft that no one else seems to hear it…then I notice the tension easing out of Rue, and she unconsciously shuffles closer.
My chest puffs up in pride at the side effect, and I quickly catalog her reaction for future reference. I don’t like how thin she is under my hands. While I love her sleek muscles, I miss her lush curves.
My grip tightens when I remember her stepping out of the bathroom with wobbly legs, her glowing face telling me the boys treated her right. James slipped his arm around her waist, his expression a mixture of sweetness and concern, but there is no mistaking his cocky swagger. Claiming her eased something inside him. For the first time, he looks completely content. Even when sleeping, he would twitch and fight the sheets, like he was battling his dreams.
Jace is also overtly attentive, lingering within touching distance, often brushing against her during the conversation. I’ve never seen him act that way with anyone, especially with a woman. Though odd, I like the change. He’s no longer stuck in his head, alone and overthinking everything.
And the fucking guards are just outside the door, threatening to ruin our newfound peace.
I tuck a strand of damp hair behind her ear, then clear my throat, my voice gruff when I speak. “They are coming for us. There isn’t anything we can do…yet. We are biding our time, waiting for the perfect time to escape. Together. Got it?”
Rue releases a shuddering breath, a grimace twisting her features, but she nods. Then she grips my shirt in her little fists and drags me closer, a snarl curling her lips. “As long as you understand the instant anyone thinks to harm you, I will end them.”
Fuck…my dick hardens so fast that it’s painful. It’s everything that I can do not to pick her up, slam her against the wall, and have my wicked way with her. I’ve been dreaming about her for months, fantasizing about all the things I want to do to her.
Before I have a chance to put my thoughts into action, a fist thuds against the door and the moment shatters. The guys shift into warrior mode, each of us whirling to face the threat, and I shuffle Rue behind me. I don’t even realize that I’m growling until Rue places her hand between my shoulder blades, and I reluctantly swallow the sound.
Gunner swells a little at the threat but remains relatively calm. After spending a lifetime containing his rage, he is an expert at it. Which either means he will be able to control his new abilities, or he will finally snap and unleash his anger on the world.
Ellis tilts his head, looking at nothing, then purses his lips. “Six guards at the door.”
“And we will allow them to take us. For now, we’ll play along.” The guys nod at the order, looking only a little disgruntled. I suspect they will obey so long as Rue isn’t put at risk, then all bets are off.
Jameson strides toward the door, throwing it open with a flourish. “Take me to your leader.”
The guards don’t even flinch at his shenanigans. They have probably seen worse things in this place. It’s the imprint of the fist in the door that they side-eye warily. We all shuffle into the hallway, everyone careful to keep Rue in the center and protected.
Anyone we pass in the halls takes one look at us, then either runs in the opposite direction or flattens themselves against the walls with their eyes averted. When we reach the underground tunnels, a group of patients pause when they see us.
Most of the inmates are solemn, acting like we are on a death march. A few watch us passively, probably accustomed to people coming and going and never being seen again. When Rue comes into view, a few snicker and grin maliciously.
One female stands in the lead, hatred burning in her eyes when her gaze lands on Rue. Her smug smile fades when her attention lands on us, then a hungry expression takes over her face, like we’re being fucking paraded around for her to select which model she likes best.
While I’m used to being assessed for threats, I’m not used to being eyed like a piece of meat for sale. If Rue glanced at me like that, I would preen. It’s not something I can control when her pretty teal eyes land on me. With this bitch, a shudder of revulsion shakes my frame, and my lips curl in disgust. It’s apparent that we’re with Rue, which only seems to aggravate the bitch more.
Each of us shuffles closer toward Rue, our scowls aggressive, daring anyone to fucking start anything. I’m not aware of growling under my breath until Rue slips her hand into mine. My shoulders instantly relax at her touch, and I curl myself protectively around her smaller form. It’s almost a relief when the guards guide us to the lab and away from prying eyes.
The room is as creepy as the doctor waiting for us. There is only one entrance and exit. Though it’s not guarded, the locks are electronic. Machines hum in the space, and we shrink our circle around Rue when the doctor comes into sight.
He appears surprised we all survived, almost giddy as he surveys each of us with an unholy gleam in his eyes. He rocks back and forth on his feet, rubbing his hands together like a cliché villain. It’s only then that I realize he is totally and completely insane.
Which means he isn’t going to let Rue go easily.
He’s obsessed with his quest to figure out how her abilities work and how he can duplicate them. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a nonissue, since I have every intention of killing the fucker. He can’t be allowed to live, or he will never stop hunting her.
“Aw, perfect! Perfect,” the doctor murmurs. “Everyone, take a seat so we can take samples.”
Rue pushes her way to the front and crosses her arms. The guards around the room tense, hands dropping to the weapons on their hips, but she doesn’t even flinch as she glares down at the doctor. “You lied. You promised that you wouldn’t touch them. How do you expect us to trust you now?”
His eyebrows hitch up almost to his hairline, then he tsks, never once losing his smile. “Ahhh, but I didn’t lie. They were injected before we even spoke.” He shrugs like the issue is solved, the slimy bastard.
It’s obvious that he regrets nothing, and I highly doubt he has any intention of abiding by the rules of their deal. Clearly thinking the matter settled, the doctor eagerly looks at each of us. “Who wants to go first?”
I step forward before Rue can foolishly volunteer, thinking that she is protecting us. Two guards step to either side of me, guiding me toward the opposite side of the room, as if they’re expecting a fight. One of the guards slams his hand on my shoulder, ready to shove me into the waiting seat, but the instant he touches me, he jerks back with a curse.
That’s when I smell it.
Burnt flesh.
The second guard draws a rod from his belt, electricity crackling as he takes a menacing step toward me. I brace myself for the pain when he jams the rod against my ribs, hard enough to crack bone.
Only I barely feel the impact, and the electricity crackles harmlessly against my skin. I’m not sure who is more surprised, me or the guards. Before a brawl can break out, the doctor interrupts with a sharp tone. “Please have a seat.”
He dismisses the guards with a glance, and they reluctantly stand down, the promise of retribution darkening their countenance. Only a certain type of people can work for such an organization and not be bothered by the atrocities committed—the same type of people that won’t hesitate to slip a blade between your ribs when your back is turned.
I glance at the hand that touched me, pleased to note the skin is lobster red and slightly blistered.
Just from a touch.
I run my hand along the ribs they viciously jabbed and startle when rough skin meets my fingertips. Before I can probe deeper, whatever I feel melts away to smooth skin. I’m unsure if I should be pleased at the new changes, or disturbed.
As the guards retreat, it’s a struggle not to follow and eliminate the threat now before it becomes a problem. My hand automatically drops to my thigh, where my blades should rest, and I curse when I come up empty.
Until I notice the sharp black claws at the edges of my nails that easily slice through my pants. Even as I watch, they shrink back into normal-looking hands. Huh…convenient. I decide that I can work with the changes if it means that I can protect Rue and the boys better.
Once the stooges are gone, I reluctantly take my seat and roll up my sleeve. The doctor eyes me like I’m his favorite new specimen, and I barely cover my grimace. The last thing I want is him curious.
When he shoves a needle into my arm, the tip snaps off before it can pierce my flesh. The doctor’s eyebrows shoot up, and he murmurs almost to himself, “How curious.”
“You’d think with as much money as this place costs, you could do better than faulty equipment,” I quip, keeping my expression bland, daring him to call me a liar.
“Of course.” The smug bastard doesn’t hesitate to grab another needle, a hint of excitement shining in his eyes. “Let’s try it again, shall we?”
Acting on a hunch, I grab the needle off the counter and stab it into my arm. It passes through the skin without a problem, and I barely resist grimacing at the sharp pinch as I watch my blood fill the small vial.
The doctor watches the blood with an avarice that has my insides curdling like sour milk. I yank out the needle when the vial is filled, tempted to smash it when the doctor speaks in a mild tone. “You and your boys will want to continue volunteering for my study, or I worry Miss Rue’s testing will become…difficult.”
“What do you want?” I ask harshly, grimacing when unexpected fangs nick the inside of my lip and blood fills my mouth as I struggle to hold back my rage.
“Something about your group is unique.” The doctor snatches the vial from me before I can give in to the urge to crush it. “I’ve never had such wild success with a serum. I need to do more tests, study the results, and see if it’s possible to duplicate the achievement.”
“Or?” I slowly stand to my full height until I’m towering over him, but the doctor doesn’t even flinch.
“If I can’t duplicate the results, Miss Rue will find her stay decidedly unpleasant.” The doctor tucks the vial into his pocket, never once looking away from me as he utters his threat. “If the answers are in her blood, the best way to get what I want is to breed her.”
I freeze, sure that I must have misunderstood. Before I can gather my wits, the doctor scurries away. It’s only when a sharp crack fills the room that I shake away my paralysis. When I look down, it’s to see the granite countertop had cracked, snapping off in my grip.
My eyes immediately sweep toward Rue, needing to confirm for myself that she is safe. The doctor has moved on to the other guys, taking their blood, and it’s all I can do not to shred him into itty-bitty pieces right now.
I suspect that’s something I can do now with the new changes.
Ellis and Jace are tense, sensing something wrong. Gunner is like a shadow to Rue, hovering at her back, never allowing her to stray too far out of reach. James is watching the guards, cracking his neck side to side, like he’s deciding which one he wants to take apart first.
The guys would follow my lead without hesitation…including getting themselves killed in the process. No, we need to be careful and plan our escape. Tonight. I won’t risk anything else happening to Rue. The lab doesn’t have any cryogenics equipment, which means if they want her pregnant, they will have to do it the old-fashioned way.
The thought of anyone touching Rue has steam rising from my skin. The image of her pregnant with our child, only to have the doctor take that child for some experiment…
Over my fucking dead body.