Page 58 of Kai's Hunger

I stared at the cell door. “And if Patterson comes back before Kai gets here?” I didn’t want to admit it to Lucian, a man who’d endured two years of torture, but I didn’t think I was strong enough for another session with the sadistic man.

“He won’t,” he swore, his voice firm. “He’ll let you recover before he starts on you again. Patterson likes to wait until you’re fully healed before he goes for round two.”

“Okay,” I replied. “Thank you. For ... for helping me.”

“I would’ve killed them if I could’ve,” he admitted. “I’m sorry for what they did to you.”

“We’re both getting out of here,” I promised. “That’s all that matters.”

“You’re strong,” he praised me. “Kai chose well.”

“There are a lot of things about your family that I don’t know. For instance, how can I speak to Kai in my mind? That shouldn’t even be possible.”

“Kai will explain everything,” he said, after a beat of silence. “Have patience with him. He’s going to be ... agitated when he sees what they did to you.”

“Why is Patterson so interested in your family?”

“He believes our DNA holds the key to many of the answers he seeks.”

“That’s crazy. He talked about reproduction and the lifespan of animals. Their ability to heal. How can your family help with that type of research? You’re human, for crying out loud.”

“Lily, no one deserves to know the truth more than you, but it cannot come from me. Speak to my son.”

“Believe me, I intend to.”

He chuckled. “I think I feel sorry for Kai.”

A small smile played at the corners of my mouth, but it was painful. I winced, touching my lips with a fingertip. Blood. The horror swept over me in waves and this time I let the tears fall.

****

Kai

I stood outside of Wyatt’s SUV, staring at the building. “She’s here. I can feel it.”

Miggs cleared his throat. “He bought the place a month ago. That’s why we never knew about it.”

“An old prison?” Wyatt asked. “I don’t remember it.”

“It was barely used,” Miggs explained. “Not enough funding, the website said.”

Wyatt caught up to me, then said, “Kai and Fostine, go around back. Trakker and Creeg, scout the area. I don’t want any surprises.” He pointed at Miggs. “You’re with me.”

Creeg ran a hand through his hair, then shot a concerned look toward me. “I may be needed inside.”

A muscle in my jaw flexed at the implication. “Trakker, you good on your own out here?”

“Yeah. Just go. Bring them home.”

I nodded, then took off in a sprint, Fostine keeping pace beside me. We stopped near the tree line and I waited while she undressed and shifted. Within seconds we reached the back of the building. I saw the guard, but not before Fostine.

Tonight, my sister was on a mission, and I was here to make sure nothing went wrong.

She was a sleek, powerful figure moving stealthily. Her snowy white fur glinted in the moonlight, and I felt a surge of pride and concern. Fostine was relentless, but she was also reckless. I needed to be ready to step in if things went south.

The guard on patrol was oblivious to the predator stalking him. He moved casually, his flashlight sweeping lazily over the area. I watched as he paused to light a cigarette, the flicker of the flame momentarily illuminating his face. Fostine’s eyes narrowed, her claws extending as she prepared to strike.

In a blur of white, she lunged from the shadows, her powerful legs propelling her forward with astonishing speed. The guard barely had time to react. His eyes widened in horror as he fumbled for his gun, but it was too late.

---