AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Riddick interjects, “If these secret groups were so secret, how would the suspect even know them?” He doesn’t try to mask the incensed skepticism in his expression as he narrows his gaze on Kallum.
Rana’s eyebrows draw together as she studies the detective’s apparent animosity toward the expert consultant.
Kallum doesn’t waver. “Perhaps this person is a descendant of one of those renegade members. Families pass down all kinds of creepy histories. Or they’re just lazy and impatient and copied right out of one of the books in the mansion library.” He matches Riddick’s defiant stance. “But I assure you, they’re no proficient.”
The accusation in Kallum’s words is unmistakable, his remark delivered as a direct insult to the alchemist suspect.
The shrill flapping comes louder, the unnerving sound raising the hairs along my body, and anxiety prickles my chest as I watch the wild flutter of the moth’s gray wings, the way the insect savagely rams its frail body into the bulb.
Shadows bounce along the ground, the rocking motion assaulting my head with another wave of dizziness. The moth probably hitched a ride on someone’s clothes. Now it’s stuck, attracted to the one source of light, unable to find its way out.
Out of habit, I seek the comfort of the verse inked in my forearm. Only my fingers are met with the course stitches rather than my scar, and my anxiety mounts.
Through the ringing in my ears, I hear Hernandez mention motive, then a flurry of voices rise around me and pulse in time with the pounding at my temples.
I’m having an anxiety attack.
Hernandez breaks through the haze as he says, “He wants something pretty fucking bad, whatever the motive.”
“Obsession,” I blurt.
A number of gazes fall on me. “What was that, Dr. St. James?” Rana asks.
I watch the moth spiral down into the cage, where it flaps, helpless, unable to take flight.
“This room is full of dark obsession,” I say, my throat dry. “From a person who would go to any length, even hurt the ones he’s trying to protect in order to obtain that obsession.”
The bulb stops swaying, and I blink to clear my vision. When I look over, I’m met with the intensity of Kallum’s gaze. What’s not being said between us as polluting as the stagnant air of this chamber.
“I’ll take that into consideration,” Rana says absently, her attention aimed on a point past my shoulder. She then offers a curt “thank you” to the team before heading in that direction.
I yank off a glove before touching my forehead, the floor feeling unstable. A tingling cold sensation touches my lips as black borders my vision.
I feel the press of Kallum’s hands on my body as I’m held upright.
“You’re bleeding.” The deep baritone of his voice grounds me.
Shock has me covertly checking my legs before he brings my forearm up, a bloom of bright red staining the material with fresh blood.
“Shit,” I say, feeling how inflamed the skin is. “Okay. I’ll tend to it later.”
“We’ll tend to it now,” Kallum says, adamant.
“Jesus.” Riddick inserts himself into our space. He takes my wrist in hand, his touch firm but gentle. “Who the hell sutured your arm, Frankenstein?”
“I did, actually,” I say, releasing a forced laugh. “My skills are lacking.”
“I have a medical kit in my truck.” Riddick’s thumb glides over my irritated skin. “Why don’t you let me mend you up right?”
Kallum’s nostrils flare, his fury simmering beneath the stifling air. I lock onto the dark flare of his eyes and issue a warning with mine.
As I lower my sleeve, I try to remove Riddick’s grasp on my arm. “I appreciate the offer, but I really don’t like needles. It’ll be fine. My equilibrium is just off down here.”
Kallum secures my wrist, forcing Riddick to release me. “What she needs is water. I’ll get you a bottle.”
“I don’t want anything from this house.” My eyes fall on the jars of blood. “I just… I exerted a lot of energy before.” At my coy smile, the tension I sense coiled within him eases a fraction, but only just.
Riddick doesn’t take the hint. “You need proper treatment, Halen.”
