Page 17

My heart is hammering as I’m dragged through a tunnel.

‘You’re hurting me,’ I hiss, attempting to yank my wrist from Jace’s vice-like grip.

‘What the hell were you doing in there?’ he barks at me, not loosening his hold or slowing down his pace until we’re climbing a steep makeshift staircase that looks as though it might fall over with a strong gust of wind.

‘Totally by accident,’ I answer, gesturing to the dirt all over my clothes. ‘I didn’t just walk in there without a care in the world.’

Finally slowing down, his eyes assess me closely. ‘What did it say to you?’

‘Huh?’ I ask, frowning up at the ridiculous mask he has on his face. As if reading my expression, he removes it, his hand dropping to his side. My fingers reach for my arm and I rub the skin where he held me. His eyes drop to the movement and they soften slightly.

‘The vampire,’ he says. ‘They play mind tricks. I hope he didn’t get inside your head.’

‘I’m not naive. I can handle a vampire.’

He tilts his head. At first, I think he’s going to disagree with me, but he nods. ‘I saw that. You killed one of them.’

My lips snap together. I don’t want to admit that I needed help from the prisoner to end that vampire, but I also don’t care to claim the kill for myself. Do I want to deal with the lecture of not being able to hold my own, though, if I admit this?

Exhaling, I lift my chin.

‘I didn’t—’

The sound of loud laughter has us both turning as some of the boys wander toward us, chatting and laughing among each other. They freeze when they see me, all looking at Jace.

‘What’s going on?’ Tristan asks, eyes darting from Jace, to me, and then back to Jace. ‘What is she doing down here?’

I jerk back slightly at the way he speaks, as if I am not standing right here. Jace shrugs, looking over at me. His expression is hard to read. I can’t tell if he’s confused, angry, or upset. Perhaps all three. I can say I’m feeling much the same.

‘What is this place?’ I ask, folding my arms across my chest, attempting to stand taller than I am, since they all tower over me. ‘What the hell is happening down here? How come I don’t know anything about it?’

Tristan assesses me for a moment before he turns to Jace. ‘Get her out of here.’

My stomach clenches at his dismissal, and Jace’s fingers dig into my arm as he drags me further through the tunnel, guiding me to another set of stairs. We hurry up them, and the explosion of fresh air on my face makes the pressure in my chest lift.

‘Jace …’ I whisper, brows dipped together. ‘Talk to me.’

‘Family business,’ he says gruffly.

I blink at him, incredulous. ‘That’s all I get?’

‘I’m not at liberty to discuss anything.’

‘You have those creatures locked up in cells down there, and you expect me not to ask questions?’

Jace lets out a huff of exasperation. Twisting on his heel, he runs a hand through his hair, looking agitated. I touch his arm, attempting a different approach. His eyes flick to mine, and I stare into his deeply, like I have so many times before.

‘Jace, it’s me. Please tell me what’s going on.’

‘All I know is that we’re holding them for the higher ups. They’re conducting some sort of experiment on them that is important. Some of us guys have been asked to rotate in shift work to monitor the cells and distribute medicine … drugs, rather … to the prisoners to help keep them submissive.’

A shiver inches down my spine. ‘Experiments?’ I murmur, mulling that word over in my mind, not liking the sound of it at all. ‘That sounds inhumane.’

‘They are ruthless creatures, you said so yourself. If anyone was deserving of experimentation, it would be them.’

‘Doesn’t that make us just as bad?’ I question with a frown.

‘You don’t get it,’ he snaps, his cheeks reddening. ‘This is why they don’t tell you things.’