Page 90 of Savage Mates

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the odor was stronger than it should be.

What the hell was it? Flicking on the light, I stood in the middle, turning slowly so I could see everything. Then I noticed it. Maybe someone else without my anal-retentive qualities wouldn’t have paid any attention.

My hairbrush. It was one of few luxuries I’d brought with me, my long hair hopelessly tangled without it. The brush had been moved. Only by a few centimeters, but it was enough that I noticed.

Very slowly, I walked toward it, touching the bristles. There were always one or two broken hairs left in them. Not tonight. Another shiver coursed through me and almost instantly, I mentally called to my lions.

My mates.

Was it true they could tell what I was thinking?

Get moving. Find out what’s behind that door.

I moved quickly outside, constantly checking behind me as I headed for the other building.

My skin tingled more than before.

My pulse raced.

And my heart was thudding in my chest.

Not only from the fear of being caught, but also from the need that continued to burn deep inside.

My skin was hot to the touch, my breath coming in short pants. Beads of perspiration trickled down both sides of my face.

I needed them.

All three of them.

It felt as if they were closer, as if they were coming for me.

Creeping down the hallway, the only light was the few LEDs overhead and they barely did anything but create additional terrifying shadows. My mind was playing tricks on me, making it seem as if there were beasts everywhere.

Or men with guns.

Much more likely.

My instinct was working overtime. The mercenaries weren’t simply rogue men. Of course they weren’t. It had been a story told to keep me from venturing out on my own.

A sudden bluish light caught my attention. Now it was green with a yellowish tint. I stopped in my tracks, staring at the wave of different colors streaming under the door. I could feel another thick wave of energy pulsing in every muscle and vein.

There was no doubt in my mind whatever was behind the door was very powerful.

After licking sweat from my upper lip, I closed the distance. The door was locked, but I could feel a powerful energy humming, enveloping me.

A wave of urgency hit me, the feeling so oppressive I almost turned around and left.

But everything was telling me not to leave. I needed to find out for myself what was behind the door.

With the sledgehammer in my hand, I took one look over my shoulder before carefully aiming. The clang echoed, but seemed muted, which surprised me. Yet the lock didn’t budge. I tried it again. Then again.

On the fourth swing, the lock snapped, pieces falling to the floor. A sense of relief rushed through me; I had expected to see Kyle running toward me with a weapon in his hand.

The silence in the corridor was unnerving as much as the humming and vibrations coming from inside the room. After placing the hammer on the floor, I tentatively placed my hand on the door handle.

Another deep breath and I felt courageous enough to discover what was inside.

There was no way of describing the incredible sight, colors from every spectrum of the rainbow shifting behind a three by four sheet of glass. Three sides were composed of a metal structure with a tube connecting a power source.