Page 103 of Those That Defy the Realm

The fact the fae had put on masks with oxygen tanks was a concern. Were they pumping the cell block full of something toxic? Whatever it was, Declan and another human looking man apparently didn’t need them. It must be something which affected the supernatural only, and if that were true, I couldn’t discern if that was more terrifying or reassuring.

Surely a paralytic or something that affected cognition wouldn’t discriminate between those with supernatural blood vs human? But I didn’t have a gods damned clue what kinds of weapons the military made.

Would it affect me if I slipped over the threshold?

Holding my breath just in case, I pulled the door open slightly further very slowly. I needed eyes on whatever was happening in the next room. Peaking in the gap, I spotted Declan standing closest to me, although he was several metres down what looked like a corridor. He stood behind the male I’d guessed to be his superior, for the gruff looking fae had been the one giving formation orders before they’d slipped through the door I’m now watching from.

Luckily for me, Declan isn’t focused on the exit, his gaze is fixed on whoever his superior is addressing.

From my angle, I can’t see who they’re talking to but I recognise Ty’s voice instantly.

Scanning the rest of my limited view quickly, I don’t find anything helpful. Except, there, flush on the wall, just inside the corridor, was a box with a keypad and a set of lights. Each of them glow red, and I can just make out the letters next to each one. I believe those must correspond to the cells in this aisle. The only issue is, I don’t have the first clue as to what the codes would be to release the doors.

The rather heated conversation carries on further down in the cell block. I still don’t have any confirmation that any of the others are in this section. Maybe they split them up over entirely different units. Although something in my chest tugs, like Henry is near.

The agents all seem engaged in the confrontation with Ty, so I risk pushing the door open further. Increasing the gap slowly, I wiggle just enough to get my arm through so that I can reach that panel built into the wall.

With a deep breath and preparing to run, I take a punt and push a button. Freezing, I wait as the button releases. It doesn’t make a sound.

Okay, a silent keypad. Hopefully, this can work in my favour.

Increasing my risk of being spotted I edge the door open even more so I can get a proper view of the buttons on the pad.

With no idea what I’m doing, I try pressing a few combinations. But nothing works. The lights stay red against the cell numbers.

This isn’t going to work unless I know the codes.

Just as I’m about to duck out to see if I can find anything useful nearby, chaos erupts between the agents as Ty yells for Antares.

Pulling back so I’m fully in the main hallway, I shrink the gap in the door to a sliver once more and watch as a fight unfolds. It’s not a physical fight, but Ty’s shadows erupt from every corner, wrapping themselves around the officers, who also seem to choke like they can’t draw any breath. Antares must also be in here.

There’s more yelling, and one of the fae agents sends vines from his palms into the cell. I hear bodies slam into metal bars, although my vision is too obscured to see who.

I swear I pick out a noise of pain in Henry’s voice, even amongst the raucous. It tugs at my entire being, and I’m about to risk a better look once more when a swirl of dark shadow flies towards me. It twirls at my feet and I feel it bind tight to my skin before it softens as if in recognition. I’ve not had many encounters with Ty’s shadows before; it's a strange feeling as it caresses up the front of my legs and winds its way around my waist. I don't feel frightened of it, I feel comforted.

Are they sentient? Is this band of shadow communicating to its master that I’m right outside?

The comfort doesn’t last long as I look back to the group before me just in time to see the commanding agent take a gun from Declan and aim it straight at Ty’s head. The shadow breaks away from me and flies to its master. I can do nothing but stand and watch, frozen to the spot in horror. My mind flies to Rory, to how she’s about to lose her mate. The devastation that wracks through my body leaves me utterly powerless and numb.

Instead of hearing the gunshot, however, the commanding agent speaks. “Open the door, I want to end these abhorrent fuckers but I think everyone deserves this celebration. We’ll do it in the courtyard so the others can come and watch.”

My heart goes from being frozen in my chest to taking off at the speed of a motor. Declan is the one to move. He steps out of formation and strides my way. I’m quick to close the door but I’m not sure I’m quick enough. Glancing left and right, I look for somewhere to hide. There’s not much, a few other doors but I don’t know what’s on the other side, except for one which reads Unit C and I don’t want to find myself trapped in a cell block.

Flying down the corridor I turn the corner and press myself flat against the wall. It won’t conceal me at all but maybe if Declan comes searching, I can at least get one good punch in before he realises I’m attacking him.

Straining my ears to listen to more than the blood thumping in my veins, I do indeed hear the sound of a door opening. Footsteps in the corridor.

“Claire? Was that you?” Declan’s voice is soft. “Claire, you don’t have to be afraid. We’ve got the vampires under control. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

I’m glad he is talking like I’m still human. Hopefully, he thinks I simply snuck out and followed him because it was him I didn’t want to be separated from. I don’t make a sound, not trusting my voice to not give me away. That and the fact the fangs in my jaw have been extended this entire time and I’m not sure I could speak normally with the elongated teeth taking up the entirety of the front of my mouth, or so it feels.

They throb with anticipation. And a hunger like I’ve never felt before rips through my stomach. I’ve talked to Rory enough over the last few months to know the pull to feed, about how she craves blood now like it’s food. Because it is her food, the substance which gives her sustenance.

Declan moves, his footsteps coming my way. My heartbeat is nothing but a thrum now and with each inhale, the hunger takes hold. Declan is very much human, and I can smell the sweetness of his blood, the proximity with which it’s flowing to the surface of his skin. He’s sweating in his uniform, probably from the adrenaline of being mortal and in the midst of a magical equivalent of a punch up with some very powerful vampire males.

Either way, his blood scent is strong. So strong I’m scared of what I might do should he step around the corner. I’m no longer planning on landing a punch to his gut to give me a chance to escape, I’m planning on sinking my fangs straight into his neck.

“Claire, you can come out, I promise we’ve got them under control.” His voice floats from just around the bend, his feet bringing him ever closer.