Page 156 of Taken By the Fae

Once I get out of the shower and dress in the fresh scrubs Carter left for me, I open the door to find him leaning against the opposite wall.

“Feel better?” he asks.

I shoot him a look. “How long have I been here?”

He presses his lips together as if he’s not sure he should answer.

“I deserve to know,” I push.

After a moment of hesitation, he says, “Five days.”

My hand flies to my mouth before I can stop it, and dread washes over me. Everyone must know I’m gone—that something happened to me. I’ve been stuck in this literal hell for almost a week. They’ve been making me feel like death for the hours I’m conscious.

“They’ll kill you all,” I mumble.

“They won’t find us.”

My gaze hardens into a glare directed at him. “Theywill,” I insist.They have to.

“Why don’t we see what we can find in the kitchen?”

“What, you’re not going to tie me back to the bed?”

He gives me a look. “You should eat something.”

“I need more than food, Carter,” I say in a tight voice.

He shakes his head. “You’ll manage without human energy until you don’t need it anymore, especially considering you nearly sucked Marisa dry.”

The pit in my stomach grows, making me clench my jaw. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

* * *

Sitting across from Carter at a small table in a large, industrial-looking kitchen, I poke at a piece of potato on my plate. I haven’t touched the carrots or ham; my stomach clenches each time the smell wafts toward my face.

I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth, willing my stomach to settle. “How long have you been here?” I ask Carter, hoping to get out of eating.

“The Experiment found me about a week after that night you and I met. I’ve been here since. It took them a while to figure out the process, and you know I wasn’t the first they attempted it on.”

“How long has the Experiment been a thing?”

“I’m still learning the history of the organization, and Richelle knows it far better than I do. You should ask her.”

“I’d rather not,” I deadpan.

He exhales. “Fine. I guess it won’t matter, since you’ll be one of us soon.”

I want to shoot back a snarky response to assure him there’s no way in hell that’s going to happen, but I refrain. I want answers and if this is how I have to get them, fine.

“The Experiment was founded by two families. They kept it out of the media, made sure no one knew about what they were doing. The fae were meant to be kept secret, so they were simply keeping that secret.”

And one of their own, I want to add.

“One family, I think you already know, is Marisa’s.”

The muscles in my jaw throb as I clench my teeth.

“It started before you or I were born.” He scratches the back of his head. “Shortly after the fae were forced to make earth their home.”

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