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Something snapped inside me and I walked over to the window, ignoring the way the collar tugged against my throat. I slammed my hand against the glass, not surprised it barely even rattled. I thumped again, and one of the guards paused, looking behind him.
So theycanhear me.
I tucked that information away for later and pounded again, trying to distract them. I had no idea what my next plan of action was if they came over, but maybe I could see Cyn a little longer. Maybe an idea would come.
For better or worse, the guard lost interest quickly and resumed whatever his task was, leading Cyn away and out of sight. I realized I could see into the cell directly across from me, and while I couldn’t see the person’s face, I could see the glint of silver collar and chain. They looked no better than Cyn, sitting on the floor, facing the far wall. Their hair looked flat and had no luster. There were dried blood streaks on their outfit, too.
How long have these shifters been kept here?
I stepped away from the window, retreating back into my cell. I didn’t want to attract any more attention than I had to. It was only a matter of time before someone remembered I was here.
I awoke with a start,jerking forward on the floor. The pain flooded back almost immediately and I gasped, hands flying up to touch my skin. If I had any hope left that this was just a terrible dream, it was crushed. I was still lying on white tile floor, staring at a white room while silver burned against my neck.
My wolf was awake, fidgeting and pacing like a caged animal. I still had no idea what time it was; no one had come in to so much as offer us water, much less something to eat. It could have been two hours since I’d regained consciousness in this facility, or it could have been twenty — or more. I had no idea what they’d doped me with in the first place, or how long it had knocked me out. It had even taken my wolf out, though that wasn’t saying much.
A shift and a run in the park was enough to tire her out.
I shoved the thought back, trying to focus on what I knew.Eli’s probably awake by now…but you didn’t leave him a damn note. Seriously, Iris, that was such a rookie move.
I had needed some space, just a little time to breathe and reflect. But had I really needed to disappear like that? Eli might be a rich boy alpha, but he probably would have given me the morning to process if I’d justasked. And even if I hadn’t, why couldn’t I have told him that I wanted muffins or something? He might have gone looking for me when I never showed back up.
Not in the right place, admittedly, but at least he’d have been looking.
At least you left your things at his place, right? That shows some sort of intention to return. Eventually, he’ll have to realize you haven’t come back for your things.
He’d seen the state of my car. Those bags literally contained my entire life, and I certainly didn’t have the funds to cut and run. I couldn’t continue supporting myself without a computer, and how long could I really do my job with a single set of clothing?
My hope was short-lived with my next thought.
Hell, even if he does realize I’m missing, how is he going to find this place?Idon’t even know where I am, and I’m the one sitting here. I don’t even know if I’m still in Austin! Or even Texas! Austin’s…I don’t know, four or five hours away from any state borders, right? I could have been asleep that long, depending on what they dosed me with.
Given how little I knew about what sedatives worked on wolves, it was possible. The longer I thought about it, the wilder my theories got. I could feel my anxiety spiraling upwards, and Iknewit would keep going if I didn’t stop thinking these things, but—
The door opened and I jolted out of my thoughts, staring blankly as two guards stepped into my cell. I scrambled backward at once, trying to get to my feet.
“Subject 296,” the first one barked, staring straight at me. “That is an electric collar you are wearing. If you try anything perceived as threatening, we will use it.”
My hand flew back to the collar. I touched it as if I could sense the current running through it. The door edged a little further open, and a third guard stepped in. One stood by the door while the other two approached, unhooking me from the chain on the floor. I waited to hear the clink against the tile before I lunged…but I didn’t get a single punch in before the electricity arced through my body.
I opened my mouth to shriek, but every muscle seemed to seize up. I couldn’t breathe, much less make a noise. I hit the floor with a dull thud, my wolf screaming and writhing for me as I lay paralyzed, still unable to make myself move once the electricity stopped.
The world swam around me, and I was certain I was going to faint. When I finally gathered enough of my wits to look around, I realized they’d dragged me to a new room, strapping me down in something that reminded me of a dentist’s chair. I tried to struggle against the leather, but my arms and legs felt like overcooked pasta, weak and flaccid.
“What…” I hated how breathless I sounded. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to be a little louder. “Where the hell am I?” I demanded, looking from the guards to the other people in the room. “Who are you? What do you want?”
No one answered me. My heart pounded against my chest.How long can I go without my blood thinners? Fuck. What if my pacemaker was messed up by that shock?
Would they even care? Would anyone try to resuscitate me?
Fuck. I wanted out of my cell, but at this point, I would give a lot to get back in it.
I tried to focus on my anger, trying to hold onto it before it gave way to anxiety or panic. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my breathing.
Eli, I sure hope you learned a thing or two about finding missing people in the short time we worked together.
ELI
Crime Scene
