Wild Lands (Savage Lands Book 2) Page 20

  “It’s real.” Warwick nodded at me. “Ask her.”

  “Where did you get it?” Agitation rose in his voice.

  “I-I…” I swallowed. “I stole it from Istvan. It was in his safe.”

  “And he knows you have it?” Andris lowered the papers to look at me fully.

  “Yes.”

  Andris whispered, almost to himself, before his hand hit the desk. “Szar.” Shit. He hissed through his teeth. “He found it... what your farther and I were afraid of.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This document was one of the things Markos had your father and me searching for. It was during those trips we were trying to find anything out about you.” Andris flipped between the two pages I was able to steal. “He had read about this scientist, Dr. Rapava. The more he learned about him, the more obsessed he became with this man’s work. He liked the idea of humans becoming the superior race again. He wanted to destroy fae and take back what he felt was rightfully ours. It didn’t seem to occur to him that it was technically their land first. We sent them into hiding. Humans have invaded, massacred, and taken over territory since the beginning of time, but all he could see was what they had taken from us.

  “Markos is obsessed with power. Every battle we lost, he got more possessed with this idea. Of humans advancing, become stronger, be unbeatable in a war against the fae.” Andris shook the pages. “Using Rapava’s work was how he wanted to do it. Replicate his formula in powder form. The problem was, the doctor went to the States in the far West, where all his advanced work was said to be destroyed. We knew some of his early experimental notes survived. Another scientist had some of them and Rapava’s first experiment journals. We continued to tell Istvan that it was merely a rumor, but it looks like he continued looking and discovered it since.” Andris slapped the documents down. “Damn it. This is bad...”

  “About to get worse.” I cringed. “Istvan not only found Rapava’s formula but is copying and producing it. I don’t know how, but he is. He’s sending it to other countries, probably building an alliance with all top leaders there are while lining their pockets.” A pang hit my chest, as I still mourned the man I thought I knew, the man who spent hours teaching me chess. Istvan had been aloof, but I never thought of him as a monster. “He has been shipping pills to the Czech Republic.” To the leader he wanted to sell me off to as a wife. “And I have no doubt to Ukraine and beyond now.”

  Now I realized how sinister Caden’s marriage was. It was part of Istvan’s power grab, to become the ruler of all, eventually becoming more powerful than the strongest leaders in the Eastern Bloc.

  “He’s producing pills? He’s been able to procure fae essence?” Andris exhaled harshly. The two words sounded like a weight hitting the floor. “How?”

  “I don’t know.” I wagged my head.

  “How do you know this? How do you know Istvan is producing them?”

  “Because they were the reason I was caught and put into Halálház. I stole them from a shipment heading to Prague.”

  “Stole them?” His dark eyes carved into me. “Do you still have them?”

  My stomach laced together in knots, fear riding up my spine.

  “No.” I pinched my lips. “Killian has them.”

  Andris went still, his ribs pushing against the fabric of his jacket.

  “The fae leader has these pills?”

  I nodded.

  “You have seen them?”

  “Yes, I saw his test subjects.” I licked my lips. “And I am one of them.”

  It was like I’d dropped a bomb in the room. The silence burst into the space, choking and expanding.

  “You. Are. One?” Andris’s nose flared, his eyes wide.

  “He tested them on me first, but nothing happened to me.” A bead of sweat dotted the back of my neck, the significance of my revelation hitting me.

  Nothing happened to me.

  Because I wasn’t normal.

  “No one else survived.” I unzipped my jacket, heat enveloping my skin.

  “What happened to them?”

  “They all died. Painfully. But there was a stage where they turned machinelike and became aggressive and easy to control. They attacked on command and had an extremely high pain tolerance.”

  “But not you?”

  “No.”

  “Her body fought it.” Warwick leaned back against the wall, arms folded. “Became stronger, just like me.”

  “What do you mean?” I glanced at him.

  “You think no one’s tried to kill me in other ways besides coming straight for me? Poison my food and drink?” He tilted his head. “But my body fought it off, growing stronger instead.”

  Because of his increased Immunoglobulin M levels protecting him…

  Like mine.

  That couldn’t be a coincidence. I just didn’t know what it meant.

  Andris started to pace, his hands on his hips.

  “How long were you tested? When did they start changing?”

  “Killian tested me for about two weeks. I stopped taking the pills about a week ago. Nothing ever happened to me, but when I was down in his labs, I saw what happened to people on them. It took about twenty-four hours before they started to go mad. I think it was around day four or five they went into the catatonic state. He had one try to attack me.”

  “What?” Warwick pushed off the wall.

  “She was behind bars. I was fine.” I waved him off. “But I had never seen anything like it. They were robots, then they flipped, turning into feral animals. The only thing she wanted to do was kill me until he ordered her to stop. She had been like that for a few days. After that…” I shook my head. “They start dying—their brain basically melts.”

  Andris continued to pace behind his desk. “As if we didn’t have a big enough battle to fight, now both our enemies have the formula and are using it.”

  “I don’t think Killian wants to use it against us. I think he wanted to know what Istvan was planning.”

  Andris’s head snapped to me. “Don’t be naïve. Killian is ruthless. He is going to use this against us.”

  “I don’t believe Killian would do that.”

  “Why are you defending him?” Warwick sneered.

  “I’m not.” I switched weight to my other leg. “I just don’t believe he feels threatened by humans. He seemed more disconcerted by what they did.”

  “Disconcerted?” Andris left out a harsh laugh. “The man is merciless and cruel. Mark my words, he will use this against us.”

  “That wasn’t what I saw.”

  Andris halted, his eyes wide on me. “You like him…”

  “No—”

  Warwick snorted, his eyes flashing at the knowledge of how he’d found me with Killian.

  “Don’t be a fool, girl. He was playing you. He will slaughter us without a thought. You cannot trust him,” Andris stated.

  My mouth opened to respond, but footsteps outside the door interrupted us. I twisted to see a man dressed in all dark clothes, boots, and hat.

  “Lieutenant, here to report in.” He lifted his head, showing me his profile.

  Holy shit.

  My room tipped, shock almost dipping my legs, another blow hitting me.

  Soft brown eyes, silky brown hair, his tall stature proud and graceful.

  “Za-Zander?” My mouth dropped, eyes running over the horse-shifter. What the hell was going on?

  “Brexley? Oh, my gods.” His eyes widened with disbelief, moving instantly to me, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me into his warm chest. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was about to ask you the same thing.” Though Andris’s earlier words already came back to me.

  “But through a guard, I was able to stay in contact.”

  “Oh, gods, you’re the guard.” I leaned back, pointing to him, then to Andris. “He’s with you.”

  Uncle Andris’s head bowed in confirmation.

  Zander’s assistance, helping me esc
ape both Halálház and at Killian’s palace, became crystal clear. He was part of the Resistance.

  A spy.

  “What happened? I thought you were back at HDF?” Zander reached out, touching my face, his eyes searching mine, his thumb swiping gently over my cheek. “Though I won’t lie… It is so good to see you.”

  A growl pulsated through the room. I felt a flash of anger at my back as I sensed Warwick’s presence strolling around Zander like he was hunting a gazelle, his lips curled. I looked to the massive form behind me who hadn’t moved from his spot. Stop. I glowered at him. Warwick’s mouth twisted, shifting against the wall.

  “You!” Zander’s gaze darted over my shoulder, lowering into a glower. “What the hell did you do, Farkas? You were supposed to get her home. Safe.” Zander’s hand dropped away, stepping closer to the Wolf. “I knew we shouldn’t have trusted you.” Zander charged for Warwick, his hands shifting into hooves as he smashed them into Warwick’s chest. The Wolf only took a small step backward. “Lófasz a seggedbe!” Fuck you! A horse dick into your ass!

  “And here I thought it was her ass you wanted in.” Warwick scoffed.

  “Fuck you!” Zander shoved him again.

  The switch in Warwick was instant.

  “Back off, pony.” Warwick reclaimed the step, puffing out his chest, his aqua eyes darkening with anger. “You get only one warning.”

  “You are the reason she was even with Killian. Why the lieutenant ever thought we could trust you again, I don’t know. Who are you going to sell her to now, Farkas? She’s nothing more than a profit for you, isn’t she?” Zander bared his teeth, his hooves striking Warwick in his torso.

  A powerful rage filled the room and rushed violently over to me.

  “Warwick, no!” I belted out but was too late. Warwick’s hands clutched Zander’s collar as he lifted the horse-shifter and slammed him brutally against the wall, shaking the foundation. Zander’s head banged against the wood with a crack.

  “You fuckin’ touch or threaten me again, I don’t care what side you are on… I will kill you.” Warwick squeezed Zander’s neck more tightly, getting close to his face. “Stop thinking you’re some hero, coming to save the damsel. She could gut you and wash her hands in your blood before you could even blink, donkey.”

  Was it sick I found his threat to Zander hot? That he thought me capable of doing that? Fuck… what was wrong with me?

  “Warwick, let him down,” Andris ordered.

  Warwick didn’t respond, locked on his prey, fury flexing every muscle.

  Not moving from my spot, I felt my ghost self near him, my hand brushing his back, gliding up his enormous arm with fingertips only he could feel. He tensed under my illusory touch, his gaze darting to where he felt my fingertips.

  “Let him go,” I said calmly from my spot. I knew he could hear me whisper the same words into his ear.

  He inhaled sharply, clenched his jaw, and dropped him. Zander slid down the wall, crashing to the ground, gasping and coughing.

  “You’re lucky she has your back this time, pony boy. Next time you come at me, you better be ready. There won’t be anyone to stop me.” He stepped back; his eyes still lowered on the horse-shifter.

  Zander got to his feet, straightening his clothes, his expression cut with fury and humiliation.

  “We have enough enemies we’re fighting out there,” Andris barked, motioning beyond us. “We don’t need it in here too.” He inhaled and blew out a breath. “Zander, your report.”

  Zander pushed back his shoulders, his cheeks red, his eyes blazing. “Killian wants her back, is threatening action on HDF. A bounty is on Warwick’s head.” Zander’s eyes darted to us, then back to Andris. “He has been in a rage since her escape. Cleaned house of anyone he suspected of being involved or failing to stop them.”

  “But he still doesn’t suspect you?”

  “No.” His throat bobbed. “He doesn’t. And the one person who did… she’s in a healing coma. She can’t say anything.”

  My spine straightened like a rod. “Nyx?” My mouth parted. “She’s still alive?”

  Zander gave me a firm nod. “Yes, severely injured. The healer thinks she will be in a coma for at least two or three more weeks.”

  Jamming a hand through my hair, I paced in a circle. If Nyx fully recovered, she would come after me. Nothing would stop her. Not even Killian. I took her lover, and Warwick almost took her life.

  “The moment you feel you’ve been compromised…” Andris left off the rest.

  “I know.” Zander dipped his head in gratitude. “I’m still of value to you and him if I stay.”

  “What is he doing in pursuit of her?” Andris flicked his chin at me.

  “He still thinks she is at HDF, but since the explosions last night, he’s even more frantic to find her. He’s connected the bombing at Halálház, the palace, and HDF as the same.”

  “Szar!” Andris thumped his hands on the desk, leaning over. “Has he linked it to us then?”

  “Not yet, but he’s starting to suspect. He didn’t think the Resistance was anything more than a few scattered hoodlums stirring up trouble, but now he’s starting to put a few spies out.” Zander said. “He ordered a few soldiers to retrieve any bomb materials left from Halálház. He will see the high-grade quality, notice it’s the same from the bombing of the night she escaped. He’ll know it’s more than some homemade bombs.”

  Andris stared off as if trying to figure out his next step.

  “Okay. Thank you, Zander. You can go. We don’t need anyone to notice your absence as well right now.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Zander bowed, stepping back, his attention shooting over to me, a smile curling his lips. “Brexley.”

  “Zander.” I grinned back.

  “Hope to see you again soon.”

  “Same.”

  Zander winked, turned, and marched out of the room.

  A growl only I could hear bit at the back of my neck. I curved toward Warwick, lifting an eyebrow.

  Blank of emotion, he stared back at me, challenging. I met his stare, folding my arms to match his. The connection between us tightened around my ribs, filling the room with hostility and intensity.

  Hate.

  Rage.

  Dominance.

  I could feel him move around me, hinting at my edges, but I shoved back, not wanting the intimacy, wishing the shivers that ran down my frame would go away.

  A forced cough drew both of us to the figure staring at us, Andris, whose gaze darted between us as if he could see the webs between us, a frown pulling at his forehead.

  “Do you want a tour of the base?” Andris motioned out the doors, speaking to me. “It might be better if you stay here with us now.”

  “No.” Warwick’s response barely sounded like a word but was more like a bark.

  “It would be safer for her, Farkas.” Andris walked toward me, putting himself between us. “It wasn’t so long ago you betrayed us, turned her over to Killian. I would rather have her here. Know she’s secure. Plus, Killian’s men and Markos are out hunting for her and you.”

  Feral and dominant, Warwick’s entire body strained.

  “Yes, I agree.” I grabbed my uncle’s arm, my attention locked on Warwick. “I think it would be best. I’d be much safer here. Plus, you are finally free of me.”

  “Free of you.” He scoffed low like it was a joke, the vibration traveling straight between my legs.

  “You don’t control me.” The version of me only Warwick could see strolled around him. “You might think you are some badass legend everyone bows down to, but not me.”

  “Fuck, princess… You are going to be begging for me to control you… to do things with you no one could dream of.” His husky breath trailed down my neck, and despite myself, my lashes fluttered, my breath hitching. I was overwhelmed at the sensation of his hands running up my thighs, his physique pressing into me from behind, curving my spine toward him. Heat pounded through my veins, and I
struggled to swallow. “Not only will you bow, but I will have you on your knees pleading for more.” His fingers traced along the band of my pants, slipping under the fabric. I felt like I’d taken the biggest hit of a drug. “Yeah. You like that, Kovacs?”

  Fuck… I did… too much. A groan sat in my throat, my teeth sawing together. His hand pushed lower.

  “Well, thank you, Farkas, for saving Brexley.” Andris’s voice sliced through the link, snapping me back to reality with a brutal drop. My body twitched at the sudden absence of him. “She means everything to me. I will always be grateful for what you did.”

  I realized I could so easily slip into my little bubble with Farkas and disregard anything else. Forget reality. Forget he wasn’t actually touching me.

  “I’m sure you know your way out. You know how to contact me in the future.”

  “Yes,” Warwick responded to Andris, but his smug expression stayed on me, weighty and penetrating.

  My uncle, my nagybacsi, nodded, patting my arm, pulling me toward the door.

  Rotating my neck, I looked at him. “Goodbye.”

  “Yeah. See you, princess.” He didn’t even hesitate, strolling past me and down the stairs, not even looking back once, as though I’d finally released him from a cage.

  It was for the best. We needed to sever this link between us. Maybe time and distance could at least mute it. Neither of us wanted it, nor did we even like each other.

  If it was for the best…

  Why did I feel so empty?

  Chapter 18

  Two levels below the boarded-up mansion, life buzzed and moved around the windowless rooms. The large bunkers were taller than I figured, making it possible to almost forget you were buried in the earth. Not that I could. I despised being underground after months of being without the sun or stars, no fresh air, living in a tomb at Halálház. Being down here prickled at me with deep-seated fear, like being covered with ants.

  More than sixty people milled around the base, all dressed in dark clothes, but nothing that screamed “uniform.” A collection of shapes, colors, races, and species, most seemed to be in their twenties to thirties, but with fae, you never knew.

  The modern underground bunker was larger than the square footage upstairs, telling me it was constructed well after the homes were built above. The large area was broken up into a training room, mess hall, computer room, offices and bathrooms, and bunk rooms were down a hallway.