Page 8 of Insidious Monsters
“We’re here,” Quentin said.
A prickle ran over my skin—the Order wards testing me, checking out my identity before admitting me. The car came to a halt and Quentin cut the engine.
“You can take it off now.”
I yanked the blindfold off and took a deep breath as I surveyed the gloomy underground parking lot through the windshield.
Quentin chuckled. “You weren’t starving for oxygen under that strip of fabric that covered youreyes,were you?”
I fixed an indignant look his way. “It surefeltlike it.” I opened the door. “Let’s get this over with, I have a roast dinner to cook.”
* * *
What I’d seenof the Order building was clinical and devoid of any markers that could help anyone pinpoint its location. This meant no windows.
I was certain this wasn’t the case for the whole building, just for the part they took me to.
White and gray décor were used throughout, and the distinct smell of antiseptic detergent permeated the air.
At least I could be confident the place was clean. The lab where I was taken certainly was, with its wiped-down surfaces and neatly lined vials in glass cabinets all held at very specific temperatures.
I sat in a cream leather seat that looked like a dentist’s chair and allowed myself to be prodded and poked while Lila, the Order science person, took blood and checked my vitals.
This was a deeper check than the one the coffin-like machine back in Quentin’s room gave me. Something Genevieve decided was essential. This was my third visit, and I was becoming a pro at it.
“You’re almost done,” Lila said with a smile.
Young, pretty, and perky, Lila was responsible for my care. I liked her—she made the time go fast with her chatter, and she even gave me a lollipop afterward.
She handed me a green one this time.
I plucked it from her fingers, tore off the wrapper, and popped it into my mouth. Mmm, green tasted good.
The door opened and I expected to see Quentin, but instead I was faced with the slender, regal figure of Genevieve.
I pulled the lolly from my mouth. “Ah, just the woman I wanted to speak to.”
“Good morning, Miss Vera.” She glanced at Lila. “Are we done with the samples?”
“Yes, Miss Pandora.”
“Good, then we can administer the buffer.”
The door opened again, and this time Quentin entered.
Genevieve frowned at him. “Quentin, I asked you to remain in the waiting room.”
“I want to be here for this,” Quentin said.
A shiver skittered up my spine. “Is everything okay?”
Genevieve smiled reassuringly. “Of course it is. In fact, we have some excellent news. I suppose your handler simply wants to share in your reaction.”
Now I was intrigued. “I’m always up for good news.”
“We’ve hit a few roadblocks in our synthesis of a cure to your predicament.”
“Wait, that doesn’t sound like good news.”
