Page 117 of King of the Cage

“Hmmm, quite the fun little party drug, isn’t it? The members like it. Some of this city’s rich and powerful joined for access to it.” Regina studied her nails, arrogance painted across her features. “Of course, they want the drugs and the fun times it gives them, but I get their money, connections, and power in return. That makes me a queen in this city… or a king, actually,” she giggled.

The sound was truly terrifying.

My mouth felt oddly numb, and I was shocked to find a dribble of saliva dripping down my chin. I wiped it off, and Regina watched with interest. Then, the weakness set in. My knees literally gave out. I sank onto the couch behind me. Alarm bells rang in my head, but they felt muted and far away.

“I have big plans, and my chemistry talent will continue to come in handy. Now, Z Juice is all well and good; Alice here can tell you how many times it’s made her job easier.” Regina glanced up at Alice, who stood rigidly beside us.

“But some members, the most rich and influential… they don’t want a doll. They want a fighter.” Regina crouched beside me. “What you’ve downed in your tea is the newest drug in my collection. No zombie effects… you give it to the girl after she’s beaten, when the fight has gone out of her, and you’re done with her… and she just forgets. She forgets all of it, and it never comes back. I call it Reset Juice. What do you think? I always had a flair for marketing.”

I felt so tired, I could barely keep my eyes open.

“I’m interested to see how you’ll get on with this. Like I said, you’re test subject number one.”

Whatever sedative was in the tea had to be fast-acting, because before I could do anything at all, I was powerless on the couch. Regina reached into a slim box on the table and pulled out a long syringe. Fear like nothing I’d ever known before hit me.

“Don’t do this. If I go missing, my husband and brother will find you and punish you for this,” I managed to get out, even as fear clawed at my throat. What was she going to give me?

“Sure, they would… but you won’t be missing, Giada.”

The needle pierced my arm, and I cried out. Cold rushed through me. The fight went out of my limbs.

“You just won’t remember any of this.”

Regina crouched before me, her red, patent-leather heels looking like congealed blood against the white carpet. She reached out and stroked my hair, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop her.

“I liked you, Giada. I think we need a do-over. Let’s get off on a better foot when we meet again for the first time.”

33

BRAN

Isat in The Selkie’s Rest with Quinn when the call came. She frowned at her vibrating cell.

“Answer it,” I told her.

“It’s an unknown number,” she pointed out.

I grabbed her cell and answered.

“What?” I growled down the line. My wife was out hanging with her friends, and I wasn’t invited. It didn’t put me in a particularly friendly mood.

“Er — hello, I’m calling about from St. Joseph’s emergency room. I’m afraid there’s been an incident, and the man involved had this number saved to this phone. A Declan?—”

“Is he all right?” I demanded.

The voice hesitated. “I can’t disclose a patient’s private information over the phone.”

There was a scuffling sound and an exclamation of female fright.

“Sir! You can’t come in here?—”

“Bran?” Dec’s voice came over the line.

Relief filled me.

“Jesus, what the hell is happening over there?” I asked, standing, my seriousness drawing eyes.

“I have no fucking idea, but someone took Giada,” Declan said, anguish in every word.

---