Dominic nods and walks over to me. I try to catch his gaze, to search his eyes for any hint of understanding or a clue about what he suggested earlier, but he only looks at my forearm where he’s resting his hand.
A soft warmth flows through my body, melting the nausea and the clamminess. My muscles relax, able to hold me up without extra focus.
A pinch of queasiness remains in my stomach, and I still don’t feel quite like myself, but it’s a lot better. Well enough for a flicker of heat to stir beneath my skin at Dominic’s continued touch—and a pang of loss to hit me when he drops his hand.
“Thank you,” I say to Dominic as he steps away.
He simply tips his head, still not meeting my eyes.
“Upstairs,” Jacob orders with a snap of his fingers, and I find myself tramping with him up two flights to the highest bedrooms. He glances into both and points to the one he’s decided should be mine.
“You’ll stay in here unless we need you,” he tells me. He hovers his hand over the inner doorknob, and the button that should allow me to lock and unlock it twists and crackles.
He’s going to trap me inside with his powers. I swallow thickly. “You really don’t need to—”
“Just a little extra protection for the rest of us,” Jacob says coolly. “I’m sure you get it.”
He stalks out, shutting the door behind him. There’s a rasp, and I know he’s engaged the lock.
Of course, I’m more than strong enough to break a regular dorm room lock if I need to. That wouldn’t do much to prove my trustworthiness to the guys, though.
I glance around the bedroom. At least it’s nicer than my last two jail cells.
A double-sized bed with a forest-green bedspread fills a third of the space, next to glossy birch bookshelves and a desk. The shag rug looks soft enough that I’d like to dig my toes into it.
And I have a window—the greatest of luxuries.
I walk closer to it and take in the view: the building across the lane. A figure turns by the window directly across from mine with a flash of red hair.
It’s Brooke. She must have gone inside after we did—her bedroom matches mine.
I should yank myself back, but right then she glances out and notices me. A smile crosses her lips, and she raises her hand in greeting.
I don’t know what to do other than wave back with an answering smile I hope isn’t too tight. Then I back away.
Everything is okay. I’m okay. The guys are okay.
We got away from the facility like we always wanted. The rest we can figure out as we go.
I just have to stay strong.
Eight
Riva
Iwake up to a brisk knocking on my bedroom door and roll over, rubbing my bleary eyes.
Evening has descended beyond the window, the world now painted in shades of blue and gray. My head feels muggy despite the sleep, but I’m not sure how much of that is natural fatigue and how much it’s the toxin coursing through my veins.
The knocking comes again.
“What?” I say in a thick voice.
It’s Zian who answers, a little gruffly. “Dinner. Come down.”
The guys are letting me eat with them instead of merely bringing up a plate? Ihavestepped up in prisoner status.
I set that bitterly wry thought aside and pull myself out of bed. There’s a clacking sound as Zian disengages the lock.