Page 31 of Mercy & Her Devils

Lark’s breathing becomes fast and panicked. “Lie back down, close your eyes, and pretend to be unconscious.”

Adrenaline surges through me. “What?”

I don’t want to leave Lark alone with this.

I can hardly sit up by myself but surely, I can be moral support.

The drive for me to protect Lark and Millie is just as strong as his is to protect me.

I don’t think that he understands that.

The look must show on my face because Lark’s expression becomes stern.

He grabs me by the shoulders and maneuvers me to lie down.

“Lark,” I hiss, “I care what happens to you. I won’t let anyone—"

“Close your eyes and keep them shut,” Lark commands. His hands are shaking. “Not another word. I’ve kept you protected so long because they think that you’re still ill. Keep it that way. Please.”

It’s the way that he begs please that does it.

I close my eyes, willing myself to stop trembling.

I hear Lark’s footsteps, as he crosses the small cell.

“Honey,” his voice is tight, “quiet now.”

There’s a clang, which must be the cell door banging open.

“Step away from your daughter,” a cold, sneering female voice orders.

The scent is faint like sharp lemons: A Beta.

“Why?” Lark demands. “Are you here to take me to the Discipline Rooms again?”

“Do it,” the guard snaps. “Or I’ll use the Discipline Strap. Perhaps, you’d prefer that I try it on the kid this time?”

“Don’t you dare,” Lark growls. I’ve never heard an Omega talk with that tone to a Beta before. “Millie, I’m putting you down now. Don’t look like that. Let go of my sleeve. Daddy’s fine. I’ll be back soon.”

“No,” Millie wails. “Mean woman. Hurt Daddy. Make owie.”

“Daddy won’t be hurt,” Lark replies.

Another lie.

My eyes fill with tears, and I will myself not to let them fall.

Yet it’s so fucking hard not to give myself away, when all I want is to leap up and protect Lark like he has me.

Yet my body is too weak to even pull myself to sit up.

Yet.

But I’ll find a way.

I failed once in my mission to shut down this Institute but I can’t let myself believe that I’ve failed for good, not now that I’m experiencing it myself.

What’s going on here isn’t reported on the news or social media.

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