Page 61 of Sergi
While there was distrust in the shifter’s gaze, the fact he was being released softened his expression. When the shifter managed to stand, Sergi handed him the second set of keys.
The first shifter looked at him. “You might need them if you’re going to the second level.”
Sergi shook his head. “If I do, I’ll find another guard.” Sergi considered whether he should continue with the plan to find Alex and the evidence Devon needed or stay to search the cells for Carlos. “I was captured with a shifter by the name of Carlos. I was told he was in one of the cells on this level. When you find him, ask him to assist with organizing your group. Do you understand?”
Both shifters, who hadn’t appeared strong enough to battle a guard, even in their wolf form, stood straighter, their chins lifted high. A red glow appeared in their eyes. Nothing but a glimmerat first, but as they considered what was at stake, the glow brightened into a look Sergi knew well—a beast full of rage and seeking vengeance.
Any doubt of their ability fled. “Get everyone out of the cells, clear the floor, and set up perimeters. I’ll start releasing the shifters on the next level.”
He shook their hands, but before he took two steps, alarms blared through the hallways.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I stared at S-272.The recognition in my gaze would be enough to tell him I felt his Alpha power. How had they managed to capture an Alpha? There were only two ways I knew of—someone betrayed him, or he gave himself up to save others. But now that I’d seen the number of shifters brought through the facility, they might have ambushed him, not knowing he was Alpha. He’d been able to keep his secret, waiting for an opportune time to fight back.
His touch told me it was time.
“Why don’t we wait for Sergi to mount a rescue?” I glanced at the lab assistants, but they were lost in their individual tasks, ignoring us and each other as they prepared for the next test subject.
“The guards are short-staffed. I’ve discovered they’ve sent a third of the garrison to retrieve more shifters.”
Garrison. I hadn’t heard that term in a long time. It was a word my uncle used in sharing stories of battles so old they grew larger and more fantastical in the retelling. This Alpha had been around for some time. This was no place for him to be.
S-272 must have thought I was ignoring him because he bent low and whispered in my ear. The soft rumble of hiscommanding voice made my wolf whine. “How many more shifters have to die before you remember who you are?”
His words reverberated. My wolf was eager, scratching to be let loose, and as much as I’d been prepared to fight, I pushed back. “The only way an attack would work is if we release the shifters. It would take too much time to go door to door, or someone would have to take over the command center. That’s a suicide mission. They must have more than one guard working in there.” But that had been exactly what Sergi had been planning when he’d asked where the command center was located.
“We only need to let out a few shifters, and they can get the others out. The keycards can be easily taken from the staff.”
I shook my head as I moved to another set of cabinets, needing time to consider his words. Hadn’t I already put myself at risk by helping Sergi escape his restraints? I’d even left the bar off his door. Rage had fueled my need to help Sergi, and I didn’t want to see another shifter succumb to the tests, yet I held back.
Then it hit me. The reason S-272 wanted to attack now.
I brought the bucket to the sink to rinse it out, waiting for S-272 to finish his task before meeting me to do the same thing. I meant to keep my voice calm, but my words flew out as if I were scolding an errant child.
“You want to set up a diversion to give Sergi more time to escape. That’s suicidal.”
S-272 grinned. His smile took my breath away with how it changed his appearance. For the first time, I noticed the laugh lines around his eyes. He’d been a happy shifter once upon a time. Now, with no hope of ever seeing his pack or family again, he was willing to lay down his life to give Sergi enough time to disappear.
I blinked back the sharp sting of oncoming tears. S-272’s earlier question echoed in my head, but this time in my uncle’s voice. “How many more wolves must die?”
Apparently, a few more if we wanted to end the lab’s existence. I nodded my acquiescence, knowing he’d select the time and place once he determined our best advantage.
Before either of us could speak another word, the doors to the lab opened, and the lead female scientist, who’d been behind the window yesterday, strode in. At some point in our back and forth, the lab assistants had stopped their work. They had formed a line, and two of them each held a syringe—one with the thick pink solution and the other a dark green. The original formula had been a lighter green. The injection that had dulled the shifter’s gaze. The shot that had erased who he’d been. This serum must be their updated version.
Behind the scientist, the shifter and his guard entourage followed. The shifter was restrained at his wrists and legs with the same silver manacles others had worn. He kept his head down, his hair dirty and matted. His bare chest was blood spattered, and a long open wound oozed a bloody liquid. He’d fought before they’d beat him down and subdued him.
He shuffled in with a limp, but it was impossible to tell if the injury was old or new. They pushed him in front of the metal cage, and when a guard squatted down to remove the cuffs that bound his ankles, the shifter lifted his head.
His gaze quickly scanned the room until his eyes lit on me, then slid to S-272.
My hand flew to my mouth as a soft cry escaped.
No.
Carlos.
The waveof power washed over me before I understood what was happening. I didn’t know if S-272 had known Carlos was the next experiment or if any shifter would do, but for this to be successful, S-272 would need someone with the will to fight and, if necessary, die.
