Page 11 of Wicked Dove (Institute Thirteen #1)

EIGHT

ELODIE

“You can get the hell off me now,” I grind out through clenched teeth, but Kael continues to ignore me as usual, tightening his fingers around my upper arm as he drags me along with him. Every step he takes brings us closer to the looming Institute building ahead.

When they mentioned Institute Thirteen earlier, I thought it was a bit of an exaggeration, but nothing good comes from a building like this. Now more than ever, ‘Institute’ feels like the most fitting word.

I try to dig my heels in, to yank back against his grip, but I’m clearly outmatched in both strength and determination. That realization does nothing to ease the rising stress inside me.

“Will you let me go?” I fume, insisting louder this time, but still receive nothing in response.

Looking up at his face, I find myself even more irritated by the tightness of his jaw as a slight flicker pulses in his cheek. He doesn’t care at all.

My chest tightens as we approach the black double door with wrought iron details on top. I briefly hope they’re somehow locked, but when Kael grabs the handle and it opens easily, my last shred of optimism goes up in flames.

Inside the dark entryway, I see nothing but dark wooden walls, but there's barely time to notice anything as Kael drags me down the dimly lit hallway, rushing toward the first door on the left.

The moment it swings open, he shoves me inside and his grip finally loosens.

Yet, the relief I feel is short-lived, as a second later, he shoves me an extra step inside and slams the door shut behind him, the click of the lock resonating through my bones just moments after, with me on one side of the door, and him on the other.

If I thought my heart had plummeted to my stomach before, it now rests at my feet.

Darkness seeps into my soul as fear tries to take over. I clench my fist and pound on the door forcefully, shouting his name at the top of my lungs. “Kael! Kael! Fuck Kael!”

Desperate, I stop banging to run my hand along the walls in search of a light switch.

It takes a few moments, but the familiar click leaves me choking on blissful relief.

The dull light does little to illuminate the room, but it’s enough to ease a tiny part of my panic.

Although I don’t know whether knowing my surroundings calms me or frustrates me more.

He's locked me in a fucking broom closet.

It’s so small I wouldn’t even be able to lie down on the floor. Not that I would want to, but this is another damn cage and I need out of it.

Turning toward the door again, I pound my fist against the wood with all of my strength. “Kael, open the door right now!” I scream, my force unrelenting as desperation ricochets through me.

Cold sweat tingles at my temples, leaving me hollow as I realize it doesn't matter how much I don’t like it here; no one’s coming.

I collapse to the floor, my head in my hands, my heart pounding in my chest. I let my eyelids fall closed, but it doesn’t bring me any reprieve. If anything, it only drenches me in more pain.

All I see is a vision of Kael’s face. When I touched his chest, forcing him to kneel, I… damn.

I didn't do anything, but something tells me I clearly did whatever it was that happened. I don't think I like it. I lift my head and look at my open palms, trying to find any difference about them. Not even the poor lighting reveals anything; they look just the same as they always do.

Self-doubt churns inside me as I worry over what it is I’ve done and am now apparently capable of. On top of all of that, what even is this entire world that I find myself in? It's too much, and I think I'm a little bit scared.

The second that word flickers through my mind, my thoughts immediately go to Walker. He's been my safety net for years. Every time I’d find myself drowning, I made my way back to him. Until now.

It’s a hard pill to swallow. He’s the reason I get myself out of situations every time, like the last time I found myself locked in a closet like this. The memory threatens to play out on the back of my eyelids, holding me captive as I mentally torment myself.

It was in high school. Not because any other kids dared come near me, but because a teacher chose to explore his intrigue with me. When I didn't like his advances, I promised to slander his name and he locked me in a supply closet just like this.

This feels different than that, but dark spaces, however big or small, have never been my thing—another layer of my trauma, thanks to my father.

I shake my head, trying to forget the memory, but it’s impossible.

The door was locked when Mr. Preston did it too.

Only, I had a best friend on the other side, hell-bent on finding me when they realized I was nowhere to be found.

My chest tightens when I recall the next day. Free from my makeshift prison, I was ready to wreak havoc on Mr. Preston, but it pretty much ended in me dropping out of school, because who believes a nobody from the trailer park?

Defeated, all I want in the whole entire world is for my friend, my lifeline, to come through that door and save me once again. The reality of that feels slimmer than ever, but it's Walker, and I have to hope. If he doesn't come to me, I'll find my way to him.

With my mind made up, I take a deep breath, fueling myself with my newfound determination.

From my seat on the floor, I knock against the door once more. I don’t bother calling Kael’s name. He’s probably on the other side, enjoying himself at my expense. I huff at the thought as I shake my hand, trying to ease the ache building in my knuckles.

The moment it becomes bearable again, I lift my hand, ready to go, when the door opens. My breath rushes out of my lungs, catching in my throat and leaving me breathless.

In the dim light, my vision is weakened, but I know that height and the broad set of those shoulders. I tremble to my feet. “Walker?” I breathe, delusional and wrecked with hope, but as I come face to face with my rescuer, raking my eyes over him from head to toe, I realize my mistake.

My eyes dart to the man's neck first, where claw marks slash across his flesh, leaving it raised and puckered. His brown hair is longer than Walker’s, messy and scattered, but it’s his hazel eyes that capture mine, a vortex into another world. As I gape at him, he assesses me.

“You know this is a broom closet, right?” he says, and I roll my eyes, folding my arms across my chest as I give him a pointed look.

“I didn't choose to be in here,” I clarify, trying to see a way past him while also painfully aware of the fact that he fills the entire frame. Taking a step toward him, I nod. “Can I get past?”

It's as if he doesn't recognize the words leaving my mouth or acknowledge the question in them at all as he cocks his head and furrows his brows.

“Why don't I recognize you?”

I sigh. “Because I'm not supposed to be here.”

He huffs a slight snicker as he muses at me. “Everyone is at Thirteen for a reason. What's your name?” he asks, and I shake my head.

The tightness in my chest grows worse the longer I stand here feeling like a captive. Steeling my spine, I take a deep breath. “Let me through,” I demand, and he purses his lips.

“Tell me your name,” he repeats, the challenge clear in his eyes.

It’s overwhelming, and I know I need to concede if I plan on getting out of here anytime soon.

“Elodie,” I grunt, refusing to ask for his because that would insinuate that I care or even need it.

“Elodie, what?” he pushes as he steps toward me.

Another sigh falls from my lips. “Blackwood. Elodie Blackwood. Now, can I get past?” I snap, but again, my question goes unheard.

“What brought you here?”

“You asked for my name, that’s all. Now, let. Me. Through.” The panic is noticeable in my tone as I aim a finger in his direction, considering whether to give him a piece of my mind or shove him out of the way, when another figure looms over his shoulder.

“I wouldn't let her touch you with those,” Kael grunts, pointing at my hands, reminding me of what I'm capable of.

Rage ripples through my limbs, and before I can think twice about it, I slam my hands against the new guy's chest, desperate enough to force him to his knees so I can run past him. But to my dismay, he doesn't even stumble back a step. All he does is frown.

Frozen in place, I glance at Kael, who looks as confused as I feel, and I slowly retract my hands. Clenching my hands into fists at my sides, I glare at the vampire in question. “Let me out or we’re going to find out if it's just you my magic works on,” I warn.

Kael taps the new guy on the shoulder, encouraging him out of the way to clear a path for me, but I don't get to take more than two steps before he stands in my way.

“Yes,” he says, and I rear back.

“What?” I blurt in confusion, and he nods.

“Let me see how unpredictable you are.” His eyes are all dark and menacing.

“You're an ass,” I grind out, shoving at him. I’m more than happy to see him on his knees with that awful look in his eyes right now after locking me away in there.

Fueled by my exponential growing rage, I snarl at him, slamming my palms against his solid, perfect, stupid chest, but yet again, nothing happens, not even a backward step.

I stumble back in disbelief as the two men before me fist bump, making it clear they’re acquainted.

“How do you two know each other?” the new guy asks, and Kael grunts.

“She's the reason I'm here.” Kael turns his attention back to me and his friend snickers.

“You got our man into trouble,” he states, and I frown.

“I did no such thing.”

“That's disappointing,” he says with a sigh.

Shaking my head, I turn away from them, eyeing the exit. I’m already sinking in my messed-up reality, I don’t need another asshole like Kael causing me any more stress. I’m busy considering my options to escape when the sound of someone clearing their throat drags my attention to the left.