Therian Promise(14)
“It’s possible,” Barns admitted. “But it’s more likely an animal triggered the alarm. Just wanted to keep you in the loop.”
Osric nodded. “If you learn anything conclusive, let me know.”
“Of course.” After nodding to the general, Barns left.
“Does that happen often?” Milliner’s gaze remained sharp and suspicious.
“We’re in the middle of a protected wilderness. It’s a wonderful deterrent for humans, but the wildlife creates its own challenges.”
Milliner’s gaze shifted to Carly as he motioned Osric toward the door. “Go supervise the follow-up. Any possible threat is too important to leave to an underling.”
No one was fooled by the comment. Osric had been dismissed so Milliner could speak with Carly alone. Osric shot Carly a warning glare but kept his mouth shut as he stalked from the room.
“Have you learned anything new?” Milliner waited until Osric’s footfalls had faded before he asked the question.
She glanced pointedly at the surveillance camera. “Is it safe to talk?”
“I took the system offline shortly after I arrived. I’ll restore it before I leave the complex.”
Accepting his explanation with a stiff nod, she said, “I’m not sure there’s anything new to learn.” She fiddled with one of the buttons on her lab coat as she composed her expression enough to meet his penetrating stare. “You apparently know more about what’s going on than Osric does.”
“The setback with Carissa is bound to make him reckless. It’s more important than ever that you find a way to make him trust you. We’re certain he’s hiding something important, but we haven’t been able to determine what it is.”
“I understand. I’m just not sure he’ll ever tell me what you’re hoping to learn. To be blunt, sir, I’m human. To his way of thinking that makes me insignificant and suspect.”
He moved closer, hands clasped behind his back. “We understand the challenges. That’s why we’ve decided to up the ante. If you succeed in learning his endgame, we’ll lift the restrictions listed in your contract. You’ll be able to come and go as you please, which will enable you to enjoy the monetary rewards we’ve already promised you.”
Dread twisted her stomach into a formidable knot. He made it sound so simple, so attainable. She knew it was far more complicated than he realized, but being able to leave the complex was a serious temptation. Money didn’t mean much while she had no way to spend it.
Perhaps she’d given in too easily. Osric was a predator. He thrived on the chase and she’d fallen into his arms like fast-food. She needed to tease and tempt, surrender a bit and then pull away. “He has access to every room in the facility. I have nowhere to escape him, no way to refuse his advances.”
“And predators enjoy the hunt as much as the feast,” the general mused.
“Exactly.”
“I’ll have the codes to your living quarters and your office changed immediately. Is there anything else you need to make this work?”
“If I think of something, I’ll let you know.”
He nodded, cool blue eyes stark and assessing. “This is extremely important to us.”
“I’m aware.” She smiled as she began formulating a new strategy. “I’ll do my best, sir.”
“That’s all we ask.”
* * * * *
Ava just stared at Kyle, unable to pluck one thought out of the whirlwind assailing her mind and form a coherent sentence. Osric had been forced on her mother and now he intended to force a mate on her. This wasn’t the Middle Ages. How did he expect to get away with rape and coercion? Her gut clenched and bile rose into the back of her throat. “Carissa wasn’t forced to…”
“No. She has been defined, but she participated in the ritual willingly.”
Her vision confirmed his claim. Carissa hadn’t just been willing, she’d reveled in the savage ritual.
Needing a distraction from the overwhelming dread, Ava focused on a random detail. “What sort of shifter is Carissa now?” Ava was reluctant to believe any of it, but the evidence was mounting. “The man I saw in the vision was really tall, with sharp features and strange gold eyes.”
“Therian eyes all turn gold as our true nature surges.”
That was a deflection if she’d ever heard one. “Who defined my sister and why are you so reluctant to talk about him?”
Kyle sighed, but the tension in his features remained. “It’s likely you saw Ian Douglas, he’s the Therian raptor I mentioned before. He’s old and powerful and—”