Page 63 of Twisted Gift

I continue to watch him, how he handles the machines attached to me with care. Considering this is the same guy who slammed me into the side of Tristan’s car, I’m confused by his actions. Maybe The Experiment screwed with him—made him nicer? Either way, he doesn’t seem to mind.

Shifting my gaze, I watch the rest of the lab coats leave the room. When the door clicks shut, I turn my head to look at the ceiling.

Carter sits on the edge of the bed as if he’s comfortable with me—as if we’re friends. “Aurora,” he says.

My eyes snap to his, and I hope the sharp look on my face tells him I’m not impressed with his proximity.

“The more you fight them the worse it’s going to be for you.” He frowns. “If you work with them, let them—”

“Stop,” I mutter in a low voice. “What you’re asking... I won’t let them do to me what they did to you.” The thought of allowing these people to mess with my body in an attempt to make me human again—it makes me want to hurl, and cry, and scream loud enough for the whole of Rockdale to hear me. That’s if we’re even in Rockdale. There’s a good chance we’re in the middle of nowhere, locked in a bunker underground a thousand miles away from my friends—from Tristan. My chest tightens. I’ve been gone a long time. Tristan must know I’m gone. I was supposed to go back to the hotel that night—however many nights ago that was. Hot tears burn my eyes, and I blink before Carter can see. The last thing I need is to give any of them more ammunition against me.

He glances away. “I can’t help you if you won’t cooperate.”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want your help before you fucking hear me?” I shake my head. “I don’t know what your angle is. We aren’t kindred spirits or some shit because they’re trying to screw with me like they did you, so it’s time for you to leave.”

He grips my chin, making me look at him. “You’d be wise to allow me to show you kindness. What I’m doing is far more than what you’ll see from anyone else here.”

I growl at him. “Back off.”

He ignores me, leaning so close I can feel his breath on my face. “I was alone in here.” He lowers his voice. “When they put me through countless tests and experiments until the reversal worked.” He swallows hard. “It was torture. Every single day, I wished it would end—that they would make some fatal mistake and kill me just so I wouldn’t have to endure it any longer.”

The tears are back, but now they’re brought on by the suffocating fear clamping down on my chest. “Then why are you making me do this?” I whisper.

He lets go of my face, his expression smoothing. “Because after it was over, it worked. They fixed me.”

I shake my head. “You were fae, Carter. An asshole one, but from what I’ve seen today, that didn’t have anything to do with your inhuman DNA. You didn’t need to befixed. You weren’t a monster.”

His lips twitch. “I appreciate your candor, Aurora.” He reaches over and releases the bindings around my wrists.

My pulse jumps. “What are you doing?”

“No offense, but you need a shower.”

I laugh before I can clamp my mouth shut. “Gee, thanks,” I remark dryly, rubbing my wrists.

“Are you going to behave?” he checks, watching me carefully.

I arch a brow at him. He’s already proved he can detain me. That’s not to say I won’t try to get away the first chance I get, because I will, but he’s right. I need a shower.

He walks around the bed and stands at the door. “Are you ready?”

I nod once and stand, giving myself a minute to catch my balance. I pull the IV out of my hand, dropping it on the bed, and step toward him.

When my knees bang together, too weak to move, Carter comes to my side and slips his arm around my waist. Now would be the perfect time to feed on him. It’s crossed my mind every time he’s around, but if I try it this time, I may not get another chance to get out of this room. I have to think smart about this, come up with a plan before I act again.

“Lean on me,” he says, and I do because I have no choice.

You should get used to that, Carter’s words from before echo in my ear, and the reality of them makes me want to sob. I have no control here, and they’re going to use me until they get the results they want or it kills me.

Carter helps me out of the room and down the hall to a bathroom. It has a sink, toilet, and shower. No windows or mirrors—nothing I could use to escape.

“I’ll stand outside,” he says.

I manage a nod and grip the counter by the sink for support.

“Are you okay?”

My knuckles whiten. Of course I’m not okay. “Get out,” I mumble.

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