Page 50 of Moth to Her Flame

Let them…

The containment field flares with new frequencies. Darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision. The last thing I hear isDr. Warner’s voice. “Remarkable resilience. Increase power to maximum. Let’s see what it takes to—”

Then there’s nothing but the bond’s empty ache and the hope that wherever Chelsea is, she’s safe.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chelsea

Every heartbeat feels wrong without Riven near. After weeks of watching him grow weaker, now this. Maps and blueprints blur before my burning eyes as the cryptids argue strategy around the great hall’s stone table.

“Their containment technology is beyond anything we’ve encountered. They’re selling the specs to private collectors too. The black market for capture tech is booming and cryptid hunters are coming out of the woodwork.” Dante’s spaded tail lashes as he reviews the data we stole. “Shit! Look at this. These energy suppression fields… they’re not just holding cells. They’re designed to actively drain power.”

“And Dr. Andrews?” Marina’s scales ripple with concern. “The lab where they’re keeping her…”

“Next to the containment cells,” Dante replies, studying the blueprints with unusual intensity. “We can do this. We divide into two teams. One for each rescue.”

“Which means time isn’t on our side.” Marina’s scales ripple with agitation. “Between the bond-sickness, their extraction attempts on Riven, and whatever they’re doing to that poor human woman…”

“Show me the building schematics again.” Cliff leans forward, totally focused as his massive, russet-furred form casts shadows in the crystal light. The Sasquatch’s usual calm demeanor has been replaced by focused intensity. “The lower levels have structural weaknesses here and here.”

“Brownies report six guard rotations.” Cypher materializes from the darkness, black fur bristling. “Plus those new drones. They’re moving something big into the facility. It sounds like more extraction equipment.”

Volt’s electricity crackles dangerously. “If they start full experiments on him…” He shakes his head ominously.

“They already have.” I have to force myself to say the words. “Look at these readings Dante pulled from their system. They’re actively trying to map his energy patterns. To understand how the bond works.”

In the back of my mind, I’m castigating myself for not forcing myself on him in bed last night. Oh my god, that sounded terrible! If he just wasn’t so damned decent.

“Can’t get much data from a dead subject.” Marina’s silver eyes find mine. “They’ll keep him alive. For now.”

The implied “keep him alive but not necessarily healthy or whole,” hangs heavy in the air.

“Three points of entry.” Dante’s claws tap the blueprint. “Main access, loading dock, and the drainage tunnel they’ve probably reinforced since our escape. Volt, if you can create a storm as cover—”

“Storm’s not enough.” My voice cuts through their planning. “We need to hit them where it hurts. Where they’re not looking.”

Cypher’s soft, black tail twitches with interest. “What do you have in mind?”

Standing, I trace a path through the facility’s layout. “They’re so focused on cryptid energy signatures, on their containment fields and suppression tech. But I’m human. Their sensors aren’t calibrated for normal human biology.”

“Too dangerous.” Cliff rumbles. “If they catch you…”

“The medical staff are probably busy with their new find, and security is looking for a cryptid assault. All I need are somescrubs, an ID badge, the right documentation… Every facility needs maintenance staff. People to clean up their messes. Maintenance staff are always invisible.”

“You’d never get close enough to the containment cells.” Marina coils tighter with concern.

“Not alone.” A plan crystalizes. “But while they’re watching for cryptid energy signatures at their main access points…”

“We could create one hell of a distraction.” Volt’s feathers spark with deadly promise.

“More than a distraction.” Dante’s devilish claws fly across his tablet. “Look at their power grid. Those containment fields require massive energy. If something were to, say, destabilize their entire electrical system…”

“Like a lightning strike in exactly the wrong place?” Volt’s laugh sounds like incoming thunder.

“Or exactly the right place,” Cliff adds.

“Or a few brownies in their generator room?” Cypher chuckles.

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