Page 61 of Bound to the Guard

The Doctor laughs, a harsh, grating sound that sets my teeth on edge. “See? Even now, 07825 will protect me.”

Damien’s jaw clenches as he restrains the desire to lash out again.

I reach out to uncurl his fingers and twine mine through his. “Ignore him.”

Caleb steps forward, his posture relaxed as he regards the Doctor. “It’s time for you to start talking.”

The Doctor leans back in his chair as if he’s the one in control. “Why would I do that? What’s in it for me?”

When Caleb’s lips curve, it has nothing to do with amusement. “You’ll find I can be very persuasive. Let’s start with your benefactors. Who’s been funding your little operation?”

The Doctor shakes his head. “You have no idea who you’re messing with. But you will.”

“Wonderful. I was hoping you’d refuse. You see, I’ve been a little stressed since yesterday, and I needed a way to work off some of this tension.” Caleb reaches into his pocket, pulling out a sleek, black device.

My breath catches in my throat as I recognize the taser they used on us at the lab.

“I found this little pretty while we were taking down your guards.” Caleb twirls the device between his fingers, the motion almost hypnotic. “Last chance, Doctor. Who are your benefactors?”

A flicker of fear passes through the Doctor before he covers it with bravado. “Go to hell.”

“Wrong answer.” The taser crackles to life, the sound sending shivers down my spine.

I bury my face against Damien’s bicep, bracing for the screams to come.

Instead, only silence follows.

I turn back to find the Doctor slumped forward in his chair, unconscious.

Caleb stands over him, a displeased frown on his lips and the taser quiet.

“What did you do?” I ask.

Caleb shrugs, pocketing the taser. “Pressure points. He’ll wake up in a few minutes, and then we’ll start again.”

“Got it.” I try to ignore the twisting in my gut. This is necessary. We need all the information the Doctor holds. But the thought of what Caleb might have to do to get it…

Damien squeezes my fingers in reassurance. “We already have the information we gathered from his lab. This won’t take long.”

The Doctor stirs, a groan escaping his lips as he regains consciousness. Disoriented, his eyes dart around the room.

Then, his focus settles on Caleb, and he lifts his chin. “You think a little shock will have me spilling all my secrets?”

“Actually, I do.” Caleb leans down to his level. “I think you enjoy inflicting pain, but you’re afraid of being on the receiving end. People like you always break the fastest. No resilience. It’s so disappointing. Not my favorite at all.”

The Doctor scoffs, but uncertainty flickers across his face. “I’m not telling you anything. My work will change the future for all designations, it is too important to be jeopardized by the likes of you. I’m a visionary.”

My stomach churns at his words, the memories of the pain and fear I endured in his lab threatening to overwhelm me. How can he sit there and act like what he did was justified? How can he call himself a visionary when all he did was destroy lives?

“Important?” Caleb echoes incredulously. “You call kidnapping and experimenting on innocent people important?”

“Sacrifices must be made for the greater good.” The Doctor’s chin lifts. “Omegas are on the decline. My research will change the world. Those who can’t see that are too narrow-minded to understand.”

Unable to listen to this crap, I step forward. “Greater good? What about the people you hurt? What about the lives you ruined? Was that all just collateral damage to you?”

Full of twisted arrogance, the Doctor fixes on me. “You should be grateful, Seven. Because of your help, my next subject improved so much faster. In a year or two, I’ll have cracked the code on Omega pheromones and be able to fix weak specimens like you.”

I recoil as if he slapped me, my breath catching in my throat. Grateful? How dare he suggest I be thankful for the hell he put me through?

---