Page 45 of Heart’s Prisoner

"Dr. Kingsley is inside just checking on the thing, alright," he called out to her.

"I want to know what he is saying to him." Lana turned on her computer and logged in. As she went to pull up the unit's feed she heard Torrence curse. As the video popped up, she saw Cole close to the glass but she couldn't hear his words. Xerus stood before him and he looked–

The feed froze and she was kicked out of the program with a popup saying she didn't have permission to access the feed. Lana's hands curled into fists.

"You don't have the right to keep me from seeing," she snapped at Torrence who was at his desk editing permissions. She got up from her desk and was about to stalk over and do–she wasn't sure what–when Cole's voice picked up on the intercom at Torrence's desk telling him to open the doors. Torrence put in the code and the door began to slide up. Lana took the moment to pick up her trays and go for the door, hearing Torrence's belligerent protests behind her. As she marched down the hall, the sliding door at the end opened. She froze as she saw Cole step out.

"Lana." He smiled at her. But the smile seemed different. Colder. "Sorry, did I keep you from your task? I just needed a moment with the asset."

His voice was off too but she couldn't place what it was.

"I was just bringing his meals," she said quietly.

"Well...don't let me keep you." He walked past her and Lana caught a whiff of something that smelled like copper. Frowning she looked back at him and, as if noticing her stare, he turned to look at her.

"Asset X isn't feeling well though. Might be one of his moods again. I would be careful," he said.

'Why would he be in a mood? What did you say?' she wanted to yell at him. Instead, she kept her lips tightly shut and only nodded, turning from him. She waited for Cole to pass the door and let it shut behind him. Then she bolted into the room.

"Xerus?"

There was no response. Lana placed the trays on the table and went for the controls. As she was about to turn off the screen she heard a low, sharp growl.

"Don't."

Lana paused. She lowered her hand and peeled her eyes over to the film of the window where she could see Xerus' silhouette.

"Xerus, what happened? What did he say to you?"

More silence then, "I need you to go."

"But I–"

He hissed. "Dammit, do as I say."

That sharp needle of pain hit her chest. Not wanting to anger him further, she did as told, quickly placing the trays in the transfer box and forcing herself back to the door. She looked back and opened her mouth to say something but thought against it. Without another word she left. As she walked the hall back to the lab she felt pressure in her head and in her chest, her body hot and shaking.

As the door opened, she walked out but saw Cole was already gone.

"Where is he?" she asked.

Torrence leaned back in his seat and shrugged indifferently. "He left. Probably for the night. It's not your business what–"

"I want to see the recording." Lana stepped closer to his desk. "I want to see it."

"Afraid not, Ms. Hart."

"Why?" she nearly yelled.

Torrence put up his hands. "Classified. And you need to calm down. Or does someone need to escort you to your rooms again?"

Lana made a frustrated noise. "No thanks." She stalked past his desk and left the lab. As she went to the elevators and thought to go up to Cole's room and demand he tell her what he said, she stopped herself and a wave of cold hit her.

If she harassed him he could boot her instantly. And she feared she was already on thin ice. As she pressed the button for her floor instead and headed back to her room, she knew whatever had happened was beyond her to fix now.

Chapter Fourteen

Lana barely slept the night before the test. As the lights in her room brightened and the soft ding of the alarm went off, she groggily rose from her bed and made for the shower. Anxiety already began to claw its way up her chest and into her throat as she washed quickly and put on her uniform. Nicole still hadn't gotten back to her about Cole as she ate breakfast while checking her messages.

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