Page 5 of Monstrous Rampage
Then I’d figure out a way to end myself before that could happen. No way would I be responsible for them getting trapped. Even if I died here.
A low chime made my head jerk up. The microwave panel popped open, revealing a white rectangular interior with a silver cup of steaming liquid.
“Good morning, Holly,” a female voice said overhead in a warm, friendly tone that still sounded robotic. “Your coffee is ready.”
I scanned the ceiling of the cell, but I didn’t see a speaker. Nothing but smooth gray walls. “Like I’d trust anything offered by kidnappers.”
“My directive is to provide for your comfort and wellbeing,” she replied in the same pleasant, friendly tone. The small door closed with a quiet snap. “Please let me know when you’re ready for refreshment.”
“Go fuck yourself,” I growled. “I’ll take myrefreshmentonce I’m home.”
“I’m unable to accommodate your request at this time. However, I’ve notified the team of your wishes.”
“What team? Where am I? Why am I here?”
“The best and brightest scientists of Draco Sirius Command are assembled to assist you, Holly. My directive doesn’t include our location, but rest assured I will note any questions you have for the team.”
A bunch of words without telling me anything that I didn’t already know.
The opaque wall flashed with pearly light and turned transparent.
Smiling, the man I knew as Dr. James Snyder inclined his head. “We meet again, Miss Price.”
My stomach quivered with dread. I kept myself very still, my knees pressed to my chest. He sounded the same. He evenwore the ridiculous Indiana Jones hat we’d privately giggled about. The same wide, Hollywood white smile he used to dazzle investors and grad students alike.
He tipped his head, flicking the brim of his hat like I’d seen him do a million times back home, and his image shifted. His human features melted into flat, shining silver. “I hear you’ve got some questions for the team.”
Be smart, I warned myself.Be strategic. If I’m rude and piss him off, I may not get answers.
Though it felt like rubbing myself with a steel cheese grater to play dumb. “What’s going on? Why am I here? Where am I?”
Even though he didn’t look like Dr. Snyder any longer, he still used the human’s voice. Was that really what he sounded like—or also an illusion? “Come now, Miss Price. You know exactly why you’re here. Don’t you remember Rizan’s reports about abductions of young, healthy women exactly your age?”
My stomach rolled, though a teeny tiny kernel of hope wavered like a spark in a hurricane gale. If they’d been trying to give a squad a mate as we surmised, then it was very likely I’d meet one sooner than later.
However, I so very much did not want to end up on their menu.
“How did you find us so quickly?”
Laughing, he shook his head. “How could we not take note of mass reports of blue lights in the sky around Lake Atitlán last night? If Miss Whit truly wanted to keep her location secret, she should have figured out a way to suppress the telltale signs of a BGR’s jump.”
I kept my face smooth, though internally, that little kernel of hope doubled in size. He didn’t know everything. The blue lights last night hadn’t been a jump because we were already there. “Maybe you should tell Axxol yourself. I’m sure he’d love to receive your personal criticism.”
He laughed again, shifting back to his human shape. A subtle reminder of his power. “He’s welcome to eat as many human shells as he wishes. That will never stop DSC.”
“You’re not really here, are you,” I said slowly.
“I am everywhere and nowhere.” He tipped his hat to me again. “You impress me, Miss Price. Your intellect is exactly what this program needs to succeed.”
“I refuse to be part of your grand plans. Besides, I’m sure as soon as I disappeared, the squad moved Natalie to safety. You won’t find her so easily again.”I hope. Geez. Get your act together, Axxol!
“Don’t sell yourself short, dear girl. If I’d wanted to capture Miss Whit, I would have done so. No, I have exactly the right female for this program.”
“What program is that?”
He grinned widely. “Our breeding program.”
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