Scarlet (30 page)

"I didn't think that 'quiet' was on your agenda. You seem to have
gone out of your way to draw attention to your actions."

"I've always considered myself and my actions rather subdued," Roark said.

"I'm sure, but you should probably read your history vids. Elimination of an entire race of people has been attempted again and again throughout time and it has
always
failed."

Roark's eyes narrowed. "It won't fail this time because you're
going to give me the proof I need. You're going to show
the world that you're a monster."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because it's the only way you'll ever escape this place, especially now that I've captured the spy you planted in my office.
The chains on your wrists and ankle are too small for your hands and feet to slip through, but a paw might have a chance.

He glanced at the bindings. "I don't know what you're talking about," Morgan said.

"Oh please, don't play stupid. I saw you fight Kane. He was your cousin, right? That's how I was able to trace your personal history so far back. He gave me all the information I needed. Must have been hard to kill him. I bet you still mourn his death."

"Shut up," Morgan spat. So Kane had done more than kill women and try to take Gina away from him; he'd also broken the trust they'd shared. He'd betrayed Morgan and the Others. His cousin's treachery stung, but Morgan refused to give Roark the satisfaction of knowing how deeply he'd hurt him.

Roark watched him closely, amusement lighting his eyes. "I didn't realize my assistant, Michael Travers, was sending you information. I admit the man had me fooled, but not anymore."

Morgan kept his expression neutral. Michael had helped them a little and had planned on sending them more information if it was needed, but otherwise, they hadn't heard from him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I really wish you'd stop lying to me," Roark shouted. "I don't accept it from purebloods, and I certainly won't accept it from a filthy animal." He pressed a button on the side of the wall and Morgan's chains electrified.

He screamed, his body bowing under the current as pain shot through him, blackening the skin touching the metal.

Roark released the button and the electricity shut off. "Lie to me again and I'll leave it on until you're nothing but char on the floor."

Morgan gasped, his heart racing. His ears were ringing and his limbs wouldn't stop shaking as the last of the deadly current swept through his body. Sweat broke out across his forehead. It had been a long time since he'd been tortured. Not since the war had he experienced this much agony. The thought of Roark getting his hands on Gina and subjecting her to similar treatment left him cold. He couldn't allow that, even if he died trying to stop him.

"What have you done to Michael?" he asked, wondering if he could somehow get word to Raphael.

Roark's smile returned. "He's been chipped. It's amazing what happens when you place an artificial intelligence chip in the frontal lobe of the brain. Did you know that you can induce schizophrenia? Make the person see malicious shadows? Science can accomplish so much these days with a single touch of one tiny button." He pulled out a device that wasn't much smaller than his palm. It had a green button in the center that stuck up like a pimple on its black face. He thumbed the button, stroking it lovingly.

Morgan swallowed hard. He had no doubt Roark had done what he'd professed. The man didn't make idle threats. The question was. had he implanted him as well?

Roark pressed the button. Morgan braced himself, expecting pain and delirium to start at any second, but nothing happened. Morgan cocked his head. It was then he heard screams and thrashing. They were far away, but still close enough for his wolf to detect.

"I can't hear his agonizing cries," Roark said with a malicious grin. "But I know you can."

"I thought Michael worked for you for years. I only met him recently, so he couldn't have been spying all this time."

Roark frowned. It was obvious that hadn't crossed his mind. He quickly recovered. "It doesn't matter when his betrayal started. All that matters is that it did. I can't believe I allowed an Other so near me." He shuddered. "I should've been able to detect him."

"Why?" Morgan asked. "We aren't so different than you. We have the same wants and needs."

Roark slammed his palm down on the button on the wall. Electricity shot through the chains and straight into Morgan's body. He bit his tongue and tasted blood as all his muscles stiffened and convulsed. Roark kept it going for a few seconds. Morgan felt the skin at his wrists and ankle split. He couldn't prevent the cry that ripped from his throat.

Roark released the button. "Don't you
ever
compare yourself to me or any other pureblood. You're an abomination. They should never have made you."

Morgan gasped. "People do strange and desperate things in times of war," he murmured. "I'm curious, though. Was there ever a finished clone of my wife and child at any of the labs?"

Roark laughed. "No. I stumbled upon them quite by accident—thanks to the information Kane shared about your kind. I had no idea that creatures like you could live so long."

"Funny, there was a time when we were called heroes."

Roark scowled. "That was a mistake, but the scientists paid for their arrogance by losing the war."

"Was there ever a Scarlet vaccine for blood mutations?" Morgan still had mixed feelings about that. What if he'd been wrong about its existence? What if he had destroyed the only thing that would give Gina a chance at a normal life?

Roark shook his head. "Nope, but I needed someone to blame for its destruction before my investors realized it didn't exist. When you showed up to 'save' your family. I knew it was the perfect opportunity to 'kill two coyotes with one laser blast.' "

"You know I'll never help you no matter how many times you shock me," Morgan said.

"You will eventually. Once the people see the truth on the vids about your kind, see that monsters truly exist; they'll come running to me for help. Uniting the republics will take no effort at all."

"If you really do have Michael under your control, why don't you just use
him
to show the world?" Roark's expression soured.

"Oh," Morgan laughed. "I see. You don't want anyone to know
you've had an Other working for you all these years. I suppose that would cause quite a bit of embarrassment."

"You must really love pain," Roark said as he hit the button on the wall, sending another jolt of electricity through Morgan's system.

Morgan's head fell forward and he allowed his body to sag. He clenched his jaw to fight the pain and worked to regulate
his breathing so he could feign unconsciousness. He'd been so blind. Not being able to find the clones had been
his first warning. Morgan had ignored it in order to get to the bottom of the cover-up. Well, he'd found out the truth at the trap sprang closed. Now his mistake might very well cost Gina her life.

The sad part was, he couldn't even warn her. If he did, Roark would have the proof he'd been looking for. So he was
stuck. Bound to the wall like a rabid dog until all hell broke loose and madness overtook him. God help anyone who was around, when that happened.

Roark shut off the current and stood for a few minutes, staring at him. Morgan could taste his anger and disgust on the foul air that he sucked into his lungs. Now that Michael
had
been captured, the Others were in danger. More danger than
they'd ever been in before.

Finally Roark snorted in displeasure. "How disappointing," he said. "Hopefully the girl will put up more of a fight."

Morgan waited for him to leave, then raised his head once more. His muscles continued to twitch. He pictured his lovely Gina and tried to imagine her hanging limply beside him. Pain crushed him, squeezing the breath out of his chest. He couldn't let that happen. Morgan focused everything he had on mentally reaching her.

"Run, Gina. Run," he murmured, hoping somehow she'd hear his pleas.

*     *     *

Raphael froze as Morgan's voice filled his mind. He'd heard his whispered cry. It had sounded so very far away. He had slathered his body in sun barrier and thrown on sunshades before rushing outside. The sun scorched his skin despite the covering. He inhaled, smelling Red's scent on the air. She was here. Somewhere close. Raphael poured on the speed, following Red's sweet aroma from the dissecting lab to the water trader. He should've known.

People were outside, waiting to be let in. He brushed past them and then turned to hiss, flashing his fangs in warning. People scattered, running in all directions. He had no doubt some would end up at the sheriff's station, but he didn't care. He had to get to her.

He forced the door open and rushed inside. Three men came out from behind the pillars, surrounding him. Red stood at the bar, her hand resting on her laser pistol.

"Where have you been? I've been looking all over town for you," Raphael said, eyeing the men. "Call off your dogs before I send them packing."

Red smiled and nodded to the men, letting them know everything was all right. The men relaxed, but didn't leave their positions. "I doubt that would be as easy as you think," she said.

Raphael smiled. "I like a challenge," he said, giving her a slow perusal.

Red stiffened. "If you've come here to ask about Morgan, I haven't seen him since I left him at the detention center."

His smile dropped. "I know he's nowhere near here. I just received a message from him."

"How? He's alive? Where is he? Is he okay?" she asked.

"How is unimportant. As to where he is and how he's doing, I don't know." Raphael shook his head. "What is important is the message itself. He wants you to run. Get far away from here."

Red gave him a sad smile and slowly shook her head. "I'm not leaving Nuria unprotected," she said. "IPTT will tear
this place apart looking for me."

"Don't be daft, woman. Nuria can take care of itself," Raphael growled.

"So can I," she said, arching a brow.

"Apparently not, if you're being accused of breaking a detainee out of detention." Raphael reproached.

Red's lower lip trembled. "Roark is behind this whole thing,"
she said. "I just can't prove it."

Raphael reached out and touched her cheek before quickly dropping his hand. "You can't fight him if you're dead."

"I won't let him destroy the town. I promised Morgan I'd look
after Nuria. And I plan to keep my word."

"How are you going to do that?" Raphael asked.

Red bit her lip. "I don't know yet, but I'll think of something. I have to, for everyone's sake."

The door to the water trader burst open and Maggie came rushing in with several deputies in tow. "I knew I'd find you here,"
she said, watching Raphael and the others warily. "A friend just called from the Republic of Colorutah and said that the tactical team is on its way. What were you thinking bringing Morgan here? You're going to get us all killed."

Red stepped past Raphael. "Morgan isn't here."

Maggie scowled. "Don't lie to me."

"Use your wolf to discern the truth. I'm not lying. I don't know where he is," Red said. "I wish I did."

She ignored her. "The report said you helped him escape."

"She didn't," Juan said.

Maggie swung on him. "How would you know? You're probably just sticking up for her because she's sleeping with you. She's probably sleeping with you all."

"We wish," Takeo muttered and Demery laughed.

Maggie glared at him until he stopped, then faced Red once more. "Wherever you're hiding him, you need to leave now. Or I'll be forced to have the deputies arrest you and hold you until tactical team arrives."