Page 50 of Hell Storm

Percival.

When questioned, he swore all trials had been conducted in the name of science, but not everyone was so easily convinced. Rumors of pregnant roamers being Percival’s test subjects of choice proved to be enough for his team to usher him into retirement while he still had a thread of dignity intact.

And now, the place that had earned its nickname as the‘House of Horrors’—before itssecondclosing roughly two decades ago—was our temporary residence. A massive building set on a small island, barely large enough to contain it. Escaping would be a logistical nightmare, but it had to be done.

First chance we got.

The high-pitched, metallic screech of the door brought my full attention there, staring as Corina was escorted inside by her arm. The guard who’d given us such a warm greeting the night before was the one tasked to accompany her. He shot me a warning look before shoving Corina into my chest. I held her there, thinking she’d need to be comforted after having been away, but there was no discernable fear in her.

What sort of human isn’t terrified of the likes of Jax?

Every time a new layer of this incredible girl revealed itself, I became even more intrigued.

“Kid. The water,” Jax called out, prompting his young counterpart to enter with a larger bucket to replace the one I’d kicked over in anger.

My eyes didn’t leave him as he scanned the cell before, eventually, leaving Corina and I alone.

She should have been trembling after having been handled so roughly by the roamer, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, her calm demeanor made me wonder what sort of life she’d lived, what things she’d seen that being a part of the grittier side of my world didn’t even make her flinch.

“Did they hurt you?” I couldn’t help but to ask.

Dark waves quivered on her shoulders as she shook her head without meeting my gaze.

“No,” she sighed.

I was relieved to hear it, but was already dreading the next time they’d come for her.

The soft flooring dipped beneath her feet as she crossed to the cot. My eyes were glued to her every step of the way, fixed on the tight curvature of her waist leading into the soft swell of her hips. The mannish side of me, the part that’s hard to quiet at times, beat at the door of my psyche to be set free.

But I wouldn’t allow it.

Once I let him out, once I caved and let him have his way, I couldn’t promise I’d be able to bridle him again.

Especially with how tempting I found the new object of my obsession.

Lost in thought, she hardly looked at me. Actually, she hadn’t done that much since her seizure. This quiet moment between us was an opportunity, one where I hoped to break down this barrier she put up shortly after she regained consciousness.

As I sat beside her, a cautious gaze passed my way. The cause of the look was clear—I hadn’t been mindful of leaving more than a sliver of space between her thigh and mine.

“So, are we going to talk about it?” I managed to find it in me to smile despite our circumstances.

“Talk about what?”

I wasn’t buying it. She had to have felt the same tension I did.

“Seriously?” I scoffed, which somehow drew a laugh from her. “You can’t even look at me now. Not since your—”

“It’s not … that.”

I was immediately given the impression she regretted interjecting. Maybe because, now, I knew embarrassment might not be the reason for being given the cold shoulder. Granted, she was always somewhat cautious around me, but it seemed like we’d taken two steps back this morning.

She had to have felt more than what she allowed herself to show, I suspected. I knew this becauseIfelt so much—starting with the raw emotion this room was barely big enough to contain. The Claiming hadn’t made me any more vulnerable than it made her.

She just seemed to be more skilled at hiding it.

I’d never been shy about expressing myself. Hence the reason I was prepared to charge full-steam ahead into this conversation, even if it made her uncomfortable.

“Then what is it? If you’re not embarrassed about the episode, which you shouldn’t be, then what? Is this about what happened after?”

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