Page 42 of Red Marked

My mouth has fallen open again because holy fuck!

“We were sent here and warned that if we ever tried to return, our families would pay the price. Scarlet and I saw the male calling the shots. We know his face. He’s a good-looking older male. A shifter in an expensive-looking suit. I want to find him and expose him so that we can finally go home.”

“That sounds extremely far-fetched.”

“It’s all true, I assure you. The vaccination center blew up just over five years ago in what they called a freak accident. We all supposedly died.”

“You’ve been here for five years?” I ask, my eyes going wide. That’s a long time.

“Yes.” She nods. “Take me with you,” she pleads. “You can verify my story once we get there. Then get me to Mistveil, and you can wash your hands of me…of all of us.”

“Surely you know that the vaccination scandal blew wide open a year ago? The danger to you would be over. You can return.”

She shakes her head. “No. It would make serious headlines if twenty-four people suddenly returned from the dead. Someone blew up that building and covered up a scandal. Our families would be targeted. People would die just to send a message. Can you imagine?” She looks stricken. I can’t believe she’s this good an actress.

“You’re right.” I scratch my head. “This is a fucking shitshow.”

“Yes, it is. Someone sent us here. Whoever they are, they won’t want the cover-up exposed. They won’t want to be discovered. I need to get to Mistveil and make sure no one finds out who I am. I need to find whoever this person is and expose them. There’s no other option.”

“How do you plan on doing that?” I sound incredulous.

“I’ll find a way.”

“How, Star? You said so yourself: you’re dead. You don’t have funds. You don’t even have clothes. You have nothing.”

“As part of the terms, I would like a few pieces of clothing and maybe enough money to get me by for a week…maybe two.”

“And then what? I hate to tell you, but this isn’t much of a plan.”

“I’ll find a way. I’ll figure it out.” She sounds desperate. “Your rehabilitation center is about to expose us. Living here is a ticking time bomb. Those rehabilitated ferals are going to start talking about females in the mountains. Word will get out.”

Shit!

Quake already talked.

Star is right; more are bound to say something.

“You’re all loose ends,” I say under my breath.

“Yep. We were lucky we ended up here instead of dead. The male who brought us here got cold feet at the last minute. I don’t think he had the stomach for violence. We’re lucky we’ve lasted this long. We’ve lived in dread that they’ll come back. It is bound to happen.”

“They’ll finish the job.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Please, Flint…I’m begging you…help me.” She grabs my forearm, her eyes on mine.

16

Star

My heart is beating out of my chest.

He’s right. It isn’t much of a plan, and it means he has to trust me. It’s also low risk for him since I’m one female.

“I don’t like it,” he finally says, scratching his stubbled jaw. His eyes move to the fire.

“I don’t either,” I tell him. “I have to do something. I can’t sit here another day. I’m done with surviving. I need to take action. None of it will come back to you…I swear.”

“If you let me take the Draig females, I will agree to take you back with me, but it’s risky. You might get caught.”