Page 78 of The Healer and the Wolf: Part One

“Wait, I think I see a control panel over here. Let me fuck around with it for a bit,” Ricky said, walking into the back corner opposite of the door I was standing in front of.

“How do you know how to do that?” Ven asked, and I didn’t blame her. Although her and Ricky had spent quite a bit of time together, it was mostly just concerning his healing. She had so much still to learn about the both of us. Maybe, once everything calmed down a bit more, we could spend a whole week getting to know each other properly, playing those cheesy ice-breaker games.

“I’m not exactly an expert, but scouting got me some experience with keypads and security cameras. Can’t guarantee anything, but I figure I may as well try.”

“Go ahead,” I said.

He undid the front of the control panel and stared at it. It took a while, but better than pressing buttons all willy-nilly.

“All right, I think I got it.”

Sure enough, he flipped a switch, and the keypad in front of me beeped before the little light in the corner turned green.

“Good job.”

I didn’t make a big deal of it, but I was more than a bit proud. Even after everything Chadwicke had put Ricky through, he’d made it to the other side and was starting to thrive. Maybe once we were all united again, he could do some online classes in security or tech. Ricky had always wanted to expand his education, but he never got the chance with our pack often being in a fraught position. It would be wonderful if that could finally change.

First, however, we actually had to reunite with the rest of pack. Taking a breath, I opened the door, half-expecting some alarm to go off or a trap to spring up.

But no. Nothing but silence.

I checked the labels. They weren’t written in English or anything remotely similar. I didn’t recognize any of the symbols. Once I was sure the area was clear, I’d get Ven to take pictures on her phone. That thing sure came in handy.

I was nearly done with my inspection when I heard the door behind me suddenly close with a more definitive thud. I had left it cracked, so I suppose the sheer weight of it had eventually forced it closed. I wasn’t too worried. At least I wasn’t until I heard it give an ominous beep.

Shit.

“Wait, what was that sound?” Ven asked, her voice dulled from being on the other side of the wall.

Both of us hurried to the door, and I wasn’t exactly shocked to see the little light had turned red.

“Hey, Ricky, some help here?”

“No problem. I got you!” He flipped the switch again, but nothing happened. Instead, another door on the opposite side of the room let out the same positive beep, and when I glanced over, its light was green. “Huh, okay. Let’s try something else.”

Ricky began to fiddle, and I tried to keep my patience, I really did, but after a couple of minutes and several button pushes and switch flips, it felt awkward to stand there staring at him.

“I’m going to check out the next room,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. I could tell by Ven’s face that she was incredibly worried, and I wished I could soothe her. But for the moment, I’d pretend everything was fine. Who knew? Maybe it was. “Don’t worry, I’ll put something in the door so it can’t close behind me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Just stay safe. Guard Ricky for me, will you?”

Her smile was tenuous, but it was there, so I headed over to the door. Before I opened it, I grabbed an empty tube tray from a lower shelf to wedge it between the door and the wall. I didn’t want to get locked in another room.

I opened the door, and at first there was just darkness, the only illumination coming from the room behind me. After setting up my little fail safe for the entrance, I felt along the wall for the light.

My fingers brushed a switch, and I flipped it on, wondering what sort of strange, scientific display I would see next. Half of me wondered if it would be cages of cute and pathetic-looking animals, and if maybe I could free them all, but that idea died pretty much mid-thought.

There were cages all right, but they weren’t filled with animals. Instead I saw dozens upon dozens of what had to be magical test subjects, all clearly being tortured and neglected. Some were unconscious, some seemed to be in a trance state, and others were so chained up and gagged they probably couldn’t do anything even if they wanted to. Their wide eyes all landed on me at once, their pupils dilating as they realized someone who didn’t belong had entered their prison.

Fuck. We had really crawled into the belly of the beast.

I had to free them, but I also needed a full assessment of the situation. Were there more? Were there others in even worse distress? Were the restraints enchanted, or could I break them like the doors on the loading dock?

“Ricky,” I called, trying not to let panic seep into my voice. “I need you to hurry up with that door. This shit’s bad.”

“Why? What’s happening?”

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