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Once on the ground, we assemble into our groups--five in ours, four in theirs, only because Kenny will need to come with us to access the main computer in the hospital. Otherwise, I suspect he’d opt to stay with Rhys.
“Keep in contact. And remember, should you become compromised …” With a frown, Rhys lowers his gaze as if the thought of leaving anyone behind is troubling. “Don’t hesitate to give the signal.”
“That goes for you, as well.” There isn’t a bone in Cadmus’s body that seems willing to play along with the other Alpha, as they stand before each other like two foes.
I step between them, eyes on Rhys, who’s just as intimidating as the two Alphas that stand at my back. “We’ll all convene in the main hospital at the entrance.”
And hopefully, all of us, along with Valdys, will walk out of here.
Assuming Kenny can get the computers going again, he should be able to open the sealed doors.
Sparing us no more than a glance, Rhys twists away from me, taking the lead in the opposite direction, down darkened tunnels that lead toward the research lab. His three companions follow after him, and I spin around to the four behind me.
“C’mon. Valdys is waiting.”
Chapter 20
Wren
I have to remember to breathe while I watch from Six’s point of view, as he strides through the dark tunnels. The incessant clomp of their boots against the gravelly floor is the only sound I can make out over his breathing inside the mask, and the thumping of their packs and equipment.
“They can hear us, right?” I ask Gregor, who sits beside me at his desk.
“Yes, I can hear you.” Amusement colors Six’s voice when he answers.
“Good. Then, you’ll hear me loud and clear, when I tell you to ditch this popstand and get out of there, if things go south.”
“Yes. I’ll hear it. Doesn’t mean I’ll follow orders.”
“Six.” My voice holds futile warning against the man’s determination. “Remember your promise.”
“I remember.”
Through the camera, I see Jed’s back and the long stretch of tunnel ahead of them. To my side, Gregor bites his nails, perhaps equally as stressed as I am right now. Only the halo of light from their flashlights provides a small bit of illumination against the surrounding darkness that I can’t see past.
The lack of conversation is unnerving, heightening my anxiety, and I sit bouncing my knee, unwittingly hitting it against the desk in front of me. I know they’re trying to remain quiet, to keep from stirring any sudden attack, but the uncertainty in all of this has me rising to my feet and pacing beside the desk, only stealing the occasional peek.
“How long does it take to reach the entrance?” My whispered voice seems to interrupt Gregor’s trance, and he startles, clearing his throat.
“About ten minutes.”
“It hasn’t been ten minutes yet? It feels like an eternity.”
“You might want to step out of the room a bit, Wren. I have a feeling this will be upsetting for you.”
Upsetting? He’s already anticipating death before they’ve breached the facility.
Ignoring him, I plop down in my chair and rest my elbows on the desk, taking a moment to calm the nervous thrumming in my veins. “Jed, can you hear me?”
“I can, Wren.” He doesn’t bother to turn around as he keeps on down the tunnels. Thankfully, the camera is connected to the comm system they’re linked to, which means, unless they turned the volume up, the sound is muted outside of the suit.
“These … early Ragers with the R-One protein. Do they respond the same as the current Ragers? Would they fear Six?”
“It’s hard to say. They’ve not been exposed to Alphas in quite some time. If at all. As their strain of the disease tends to be far more virulent, I suspect not. But then, I’d welcome the error of my predictions. Particularly now.”
Ahead of Jed, I can make out a silver wall, doors that seal off the entrance of what I presume is the laboratory. Coming to a halt before it, the men run their flashlights up and down its surface. There doesn’t appear to be any way of opening it. A seamless wall of steel with no hope of getting inside.
“You tried. That’s what matters, Six.” The humor in my voice is buried beneath real relief.
