Page 45 of Sergi
She hesitated as she considered his request. Was it because she didn’t want to tell him or because she didn’t know? Then it all came out.
“You’re on level three. If you go left out of this hallway, make the first two rights to take you to the stairs. Level two is where most of the prisoners are held. On this level, wooden bars are used to lock the doors, but on the upper levels, they use keycards. I think the same one opens all of them.
“There are guards’ quarters on each level. The labs are on the first floor, along with the cafeteria and the living quarters for the lab staff. I only go where the guards take me, which is either to this level or the labs.” She paused and tapped a finger on her chin. “There are signs on the walls, and if I remember correctly, security and the command center are in the opposite direction from the labs.”
He nodded. “Do you know where Gheata sleeps?”
When she looked confused, he added, “He’s the one who’s been interrogating me.”
“You know him?”
“In a way.”
“But he doesn’t know you?”
He shook his head. “He’s never seen me before. I thought he would have checked the House rosters, but he hasn’t shown any indication that he knows who I am.”
Boots echoed in the hall, and her eyes widened. This time, they reflected fear.
“Tell them I made a mess, and you had to clean it up. They won’t check.”
“I’ll try to bring more blood tomorrow.” As the boots got closer, she asked, “Do you think Rafael got away?”
He wasn’t surprised by her question. If she’d spoken with Carlos, he’d be wondering the same thing. He wouldn’t lie to her. “He’s capable, but I’d say it’s a fifty-fifty chance. We can’t wait.”
She nodded and turned as the guard entered, and she lowered her head, her tone turning submissive. “I’m sorry I’mlate. I hadn’t been expecting the new shifters, and then this prisoner had made a horrible mess. It won’t happen again.”
The guard glanced at Sergi and then at her. “Just get moving. You’ll be late for the labs. The experiments start in an hour.”
She gave Sergi a terrified glance then scurried from the room.
Once the door was closed and bolted, he closed his eyes but didn’t sleep. He reviewed the information she’d shared. And though he couldn’t be sure, he thought a tingle had gone through his system after drinking the Blood Poppy. It tasted good. Better than human blood.
Unsure how much it would help, and while he still had his faculties, he went over the facility’s layout again and formulated a plan.
Chapter Seventeen
I was alloweda quick lunch before the experiments started, but I picked at it, preferring an empty stomach in case I threw up. The guard led me down familiar hallways, but this time, I paid attention to the hallway signs.
I’d been right. There were signs conveniently placed for the staff to find their way through the maze of hallways. They probably didn’t think most shifters could read. It was more likely they considered the guards and their threats of severe punishment enough. They had been until now.
My skin prickled when I walked past other shifters. I’d sensed it in the cafeteria. It might have been my imagination, but this was the first inkling I’d had since arriving that rescue was possible. And if not rescue, then the ability to fight back.
Under the noses of our guards, small whispers between shifters had begun. The word of a vampire chained on level three was no longer a secret. Perhaps they’d heard it from the guards, but the shifters had found a way to communicate—a necessary first step for any rebellion.
I snorted. Rebellion. The idea seemed daunting. But Sergi hadn’t thought so.
The first signage we came across were arrows pointing to the medical treatment office, an area for the staff’s medical emergencies, various conference rooms, and the staff quarters. When we reached the end of the hallway, the sign indicated the labs to the right and, to the left, the security offices and command center.
I’d never paid attention to the signs but must have subconsciously stored the information since what I’d given Sergi regarding the facility’s layout had been correct. The signs changed as we moved deeper into the building, providing directions for the various labs. This was the area I’d become familiar with.
When I entered the main lab, I immediately caught S-272’s eyes. It was the easiest way to assess the mood of the staff. He gave no head nod or facial expression, but I caught a glimpse of a red glow that left as quickly as it came. His wolf was near the surface. Something had provoked him.
Two lab technicians worked on the metal cage that held shifters in place for their injections, stringing monitoring cables through the openings. Across the lab, three others were busy at their stations, their eyes glued to their screens as they typed, pausing only long enough to jot down information.
S-272 stocked the cleaning supply closet, and though he kept his head down, I caught his side glances directed at the lab staff. The guard pushed me to a counter with boxes of medical supplies that included first aid items, bottles with names I’d never heard of, and other items I’d seen in my pack’s medical unit, like tranquilizers, pain medications, syringes, and needles.
I finished the task of storing the supplies as the lead scientist strode in with her entourage. They scurried like rats to their stations, whispering among themselves with excitement. I glanced at S-272, who’d also noticed the unusual behavior. Itwasn’t that they hadn’t whispered before, but never with such emotion.
