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AFTER SIG’S ATTEMPTED rescue I bore down and I succumbed to the synthetic. The Werewolf venom burned too much to fight them. I didn’t like that kind of pain. Sure, the smack of a whip or the paddle excited me, but actual torture was not within my pay grade. Herlihy had me strung up and bled to the point of delirium once I agreed to it. I’d have agreed to anything so long as he promised to no longer mix that venom with my synthetic. It gave me the most horrible dreams. It also made my entire body feel as if it were burning from the inside, like something were trying to chew through me scratching and tearing its way out.
I don’t know how long it had been, time slips seemed to be part of the process, it could have been days, months. They wouldn’t tell me. Even though I had asked and been a good girl. My room didn’t give anything away and all they fed me was steak and eggs, or some other protein rich foods so I couldn’t tell the time of day by my meals. Herlihy came in when I was fitful and read a few chapters of Alice in Wonderland to calm me down. I don’t remember ever telling him it was my favorite story, but he seemed to know it would work. I woke up one morning to find that my bags were against the wall and the door was open. I wasn’t sure if this was some sort of fucked up test or not, so I sat on the bed, staring at the bags for several minutes. I noticed that my meal was on the chair next to them. Whomever brought in my bags had also picked up my plate and put in on the chair, because my meal was always on the floor.
I swallowed, taking the chance, I grabbed my food and the synthetic, leaving my bags. On the plate was a note, like my first day in that room, it was folded and slipped just under the plate.
My dear child,
Your compliance with the daily use of the synthetic has been promising and you’ve shown no side effects. I believe that with careful monitoring you can be allowed out of this room. How would you like that? Have your meal, and then clean up and feel free to come down at your leisure, Jackie and Gage are both here as well. AS for Keegan. Well, he is still working through some things. However, I am confident you will see him soon.
Herlihy.
I bit my lip and reached for my stuff, the plate pushed aside. I rifled through it, my concern was my missing engagement ring. When I had woken up, I had been stripped of everything on my person, that had included my jewelry. I wanted that shit back, now. About half-way through my toiletries I found a purple handkerchief, with HT embroidered on it, tied up with a bit of gold thread. When I untied it, I found my ring and my sapphire earrings which Herlihy had given me himself. I let out a deep breath, thankful to see them all unscathed.
I slipped the ring back onto my hand where it belonged and felt my heart thump almost happily inside my chest through my hand. They say that we wear the ring there because it’s the finger that’s attached to the pulse point, I wonder if there is any merit to that?
I took my synthetic and pulled out my clothes, heading for the shower.
***
IT FELT GOOD TO BE wearing real clothes. A bra, underwear, how I had missed jeans! Sneakers! Oh, my All Stars! I hit the steps in rare form as I heard Jackie’s voice, followed by Gage’s not far behind. They seemed to be arguing about something.
“I don’t care if it’s world war three out there, someone needs to go out and try to restore some kind of order,” Gage growled. “I can’t stand by and watch as it all goes to shit.”
“You’re just a pup, you’ll get your chance to fight, but for now you’re needed here with your charge family. That’s your post, it’s what you do. Understand?” Jackie half whispered, half shouted.
“Uggh, I hate this!” Gage spun around on his heels, then looked up, surprised it seemed to see me.
“Uh, Ryane. I didn’t- I mean, we didn’t- How are you feeling?”
“What’s going on, Gage?” I asked straightly, giving him no wiggle room.
“Oh, nothing, we were just having a chat.”
“Yes, about...?” I came down the steps, my determination severe as I walked straight to him. “What exactly?”
“Um- well. See...” He blew air and shook his head. He was trying to fight me. Doing a bang up job of it too. “It’s nothing, really. Probably gonna blow over any time now.”
“Truly Ryane, these things happen every so often. It’s needed to thin the ranks a wee bit, my love.” Jackie laughed, sitting down and crossing her legs as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
I turned my attention to her. “Jackie, would you leave me and Gage, please?” I cracked my neck to the side. I figured if my compulsion wouldn’t work, maybe the off put and subtle threat of violence would get rid of her. She rolled her eyes as widely as her shoulders, lifting from her seat.
“Well, I can tell when I’m not wanted in a place and this room suddenly has become stifling. Good luck, pup.” She wiggled her fingers at Gage, leaving us quite alone.
“Now, tell me what’s been going on and how fucking long have I been out of the loop?”