Page 82 of Savage Mates

He didn’t look away, just continued with what he was doing. “There’s a hallway on the other side of the building. It leads to a single room. There’s a metal door. Through there. It’s near the power station, which is on the other side of the wall.”

“How in God’s name did you find that out without them knowing?”

“We had to sleep last night. I had a penlight and did a little snooping. The scientists were acting weird all day. Plus, we were terribly worried about you.” Peter shook his head.

I bet the scientists were acting weird.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I quickly glanced at the door. “Did you check the door?”

“Locked. But the heat radiating through was incredible.”

Sighing, I was trying to piece together everything I’d read and absorbed from the discoveries on the project I’d done years before. If they’d brought a portal unit, even a small one, the power needed could potentially destroy a grid.

I’d need to get inside that room. That would happen in the middle of the night.

What I’d found interesting was that other than hearing about my explanation regarding what happened and not seeing Rory again, they hadn’t bothered asking any other questions. It was suspicious as fuck.

After four cups of terrible coffee, I’d even managed to act excited about my findings.

With Peter’s help, I was all ready to provide false readings.

It would take a bit of a slight of hand, but between Carrie, Peter, and me, we’d get the job done.

Boom.

The loud sound jerked my attention away from the Petri dishes. “What the hell was that?”

A gunshot. What the hell?

There was some commotion, the co-pilot blocking my full view, but I could see enough to know the other soldier had returned to camp.

And he wasn’t alone.

Whatever he’d brought with him he was dragging behind.

Horror razed my mind, my entire body shaking. “Stay right here, Peter. Do not allow anyone near the equipment. The results should be in any time.”

“You got it, boss.”

I rolled my eyes, thanking God I’d had the forethought of bringing the two of them with me. Yes, their safety remained a burden, but I needed the support. And the clandestine help.

I rushed outside and the horror only deepened.

Kyle was dragging a half-conscious lion behind him in a net. Not a makeshift one, but one he’d obviously brought with him. The fucking bastard.

A female. While she was slightly larger, from where I stood, I couldn’t tell if her body was deformed. How he’d managed to drag her any distance was beyond me. The fact he was poking her with a stick every time she lashed out with her bloodied paw didn’t just outrage me; I had murder on my mind.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I rushed toward him, pushing him hard without thinking.

The lioness roared, her pain evident from the glassiness of her eyes.

“Whoa, Dr. Radcliff. This is a wild animal. She needs to be controlled.” The way he looked at me kept me on edge. As if I also needed to be controlled.

“You fucking shot off a gun. Don’t you know there are people here, animals everywhere?” I could sense his agitation growing. Too fucking bad.

He grinned, but his eyes were hazed over by pure evil. “A warning shot and nothing more.”

“Jesus Christ. You fucking dragged that poor creature here. How dare you. She’s injured.” I pushed my way around him to get to her. Of course he was right on my tail and in my face.