Page 9 of Eden and her Mercenary
"Properly? About three days ago."
"Take the loft," I offered. "I'll keep watch down here."
She shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not leaving these dogs."
"Then at least lie down," I insisted, placing the blanket beside her. "I'll wake you if anything happens."
After a moment's hesitation, she stretched out on the couch, Stella immediately settling on the floor beside her. Within minutes, her breathing had deepened, exhaustion finally claiming her.
I moved quietly to the kitchen, making a fresh pot of coffee. The night stretched ahead, and I had a feeling those men weren't done searching.
My phone buzzed with a text from Ryker: "Three hours out. Found something else. Prophecies had a break-in six weeks ago. Several 'test subjects' were reported missing."
I looked over at Stella, her scarred body rising and falling with each breath, one paw protectively touching Eden's hand that dangled off the couch.
What secrets are you carrying, girl?
Dawn crept through the cabin windows, painting the room in soft gold. I hadn't meant to doze off, but the night's events had caught up with me. Ijerked awake at the sound of tires on gravel, hand automatically reaching for the gun I'd set on the coffee table.
"Easy," came a familiar voice. "It's just me."
Ryker stood in the doorway, his broad frame blocking the morning light.
"You made good time," I said, voice rough with sleep.
His eyes swept over the cabin, taking in the collection of dogs and settling on Eden's sleeping form on the couch. "So this is why you missed check-in last night."
I nodded toward the kitchen, and we moved there to talk without waking Eden. Stella lifted her head, watching us with intelligent eyes.
"That the one?" Ryker asked, nodding toward the pit bull.
"Yeah. Stella." I poured us both coffees. "What else did you find out?"
Ryker pulled out his phone, showing me a series of images. "Prophecies Biomedical. Officially researching neurological enhancements for military applications. Unofficially..." He swiped to a document marked 'Classified'. "Project Cerberus. Using canines as test subjects for experimental tech."
"Jesus," I muttered, scanning the technical jargon. "What kind of tech?"
"Neural implants. Enhanced sensory capabilities, improved strength and endurance, and—get this—remote command functionality."
"Remote command?" The coffee suddenly tasted bitter. "Like controlling the dog's actions?"
Ryker nodded grimly. "According to my source, they can trigger specific behaviors through the implant. It's why military dogs are perfect test subjects—already trained to follow commands, already conditioned for combat situations."
"But Stella's no military dog," I pointed out.
"No, but pit bulls have the physical capabilities they need—strength, speed, determination. And they're easier to obtain without questions."
A soft gasp made us both turn. Eden stood in the kitchen doorway, Stella at her side. Her face had gone pale.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked.
"Long enough." Her voice was steady despite the horror in her eyes. "They put something in her brain? To control her?"
Ryker looked at me, then at Eden. "Potentially. If she was part of Project Cerberus, then yes."
Eden knelt beside Stella, gently examining the scar behind her ear again. "We need to get to your vet friend. Today."
Chapter 4
