Page 51 of Secret Gifts
His eyes burn against me, but he starts backing away as my uncle starts pushing back the worried onlookers.
My hands feel the wires, and my mind views the black wires to be the colors they would be if this were a standard hatch, and then I reverse the order. Someone who went through this much trouble wouldn’t use a standard setup, but they wouldn't want to make it too complicated because they might forget their own pattern.
Pulling out the small set of cutters I always carry, I use the silly, embarrassing song I made up years ago to guide my hands against the wires that all look the same, only I move in reverse. And of course, I sing it only in my head.
If you like turning right, cut under white, show some light. If you like the dark instead, don’t yet cut red, it’s not advised. If you move to the blue, don’t cut into the green just beside. Black means watch your back, don’t lose track, you’ll go blind. Maybe the yellow’s scared, but I don’t care, I’ll cut through it fine. Move back to the green, don’t be mean, just cut it right. Finally red is last, make it fast, just move in time.
I'm proven to be a pro when the wires fall from their cut positions, and the disarmed click sounds out for everyone to hear as the hatch swings open. Gasps of relief spread across the field, and I see Jase double over to put his hands on his knees as he struggles for a breath.
I smirk as I step across the field, and the dead landmines don’t explode under my feet. Rex glares at me while shaking his head, his teeth grinding furiously.
“Just wait until I tell Mom,” he whispers threateningly.
“If she can keep secrets and do as she wishes, then so can I,” I snark, and his eyes soften to a pout.
I walk off, and Uncle Grayson rips me up to hug me too tightly. I actually have to strain for air. I'm a highly evolved hybrid, so oxygen is optional. Though I don't actually need to breathe, it's not comfortable to go without air, and right now, Unc is making me very uncomfortable.
Jase seems to be struggling with what to do, his eyes still trembling, but he walks toward the front to join the others in the newfound passage.
“All of these darn wires are black,” Aunt Angelica gasps. “How did you know which ones to cut in what order?”
I shrug indifferently, and then I join them at the entrance as several men begin descending.
“Years as Daddy’s tech girl and understudy to the most brilliant minds to ever grace the United taught me a thing or two. I just applied what I learned from my teachers and Dad’s philosophy for tracking to the people who designed this.”
“It was still fucking stupid if you ask me,” Jase murmurs under his breath as he drops to the ground instead of using the ladder.
I follow behind Rex, who is now ignoring me. The tunnel wreaks of days-old sweat, dried blood, and rotting flesh. Everyone covers their nose reflexively as they cringe in disgust.
No one speaks; all ears are perked up and listening. Guns are drawn, and everyone is on alert, ready to fight whatever army we might stumble upon.
The smell only worsens as we make our way down the long, winding tunnel. I’m almost worried that my overly sensitive sense of smell won’t be able to handle it. My incredibly skilled taste is forcing the terrible concoction to settle in my mouth as well, and I can't shut them down... not now. I have to be on alert.
I’m on the verge of throwing up everything in my stomach.
“Here,” Jase whispers when he suddenly appears at my side.
I look down to see the mask in his hand that he's offering to me, and I jerk it up to put it on, my senses thanking him before my lips can.
“Thanks,” I murmur barely in an audible hum, my eyes becoming trapped in his.
He just nods, and then he shuffles back toward the front. I would rather just be in his arms smelling sex and candy right now. Oh that would be so, so good.
A fisted hand emerges from the front of the pack, halting our stride, and then I see my uncle disappearing into a room off to the side. My stomach tenses, my body burns with anticipation and anxiety, and I feel something inside me warning me something is wrong.
He’s been gone too long. He should be back by now.
I start moving toward the front, my body bumping and sliding against the sardine-canned others, and then I feel cool hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me into their body.
I turn to meet Jase’s eyes, his head shaking to tell me not to go in.
I start to disobey his meager authority, but his grip tightens. He’s stronger than he should be for a full blood, considering I’m struggling. I’m faster and stronger than hybrids and full bloods both, but he's able to restrain me without a problem.
Our silent scuffle ends when I see Unc walk back out, his eyes wide, his face ashen, and his body stiff. Jase tilts his head, and I feel someone else gripping me as Jase walks over to investigate the room for himself.
He covers his mouth and nose, and his eyes tear away from whatever horrors lay hidden there as his back turns on it all together.
Rex is the one holding me back now, but I’m too strong for him. I break free to go investigate for myself, and I gasp when I see what has struck fear in the heart of my uncle.
