Page 100 of Mindeater

“Ah,” Ryx says softly, rubbing the back of his neck. Over the exact spot where his countermand implant was. “I don’t remember much, and what I do is bits and pieces. A lab, something being put into my neck. And then the changes. Once Salem found me, the pulse had already been awake for a while, spreading the infection.”

“What is the pulse? Do you still have the countermand implant?”

He opens his mouth to answer me, but as soon as he does, I slap my hand over his lips. Telex. Humans.

“Someone is coming,” I whisper.

35

Ryx

“Who is it?” I demand, prying Saren’s hand off my face.

His turned up nose flares as he tries to catch a scent. I do the same, rising off the dirty floor and tiptoeing to the foggy window.

“I should’ve gone back and killed him,” Saren whispers hotly before appearing at my side. His eyes are glistening with fury as his hands ball into fists.

“Fucking Levi,” I groan. “Let me handle it.”

“How is he so strong?”

I heave a sigh. “I don’t know. He just is. Always has been. It was useful back when we were—”

Saren moves to block my view of the window. He slams both hands on my chest and pushes me back. I always forget he’s stronger than he looks. Stumbling, I grab hold of his wrists and dig my heels in.

“You said I’m yours.” Fuck, his cheeks are so red. The jealous blush suits him.

Smirking, I tug him to my front. “I did.”

“You’ve always been mine,” he says with so much conviction it makes my heart pinch. “I don’t want you anywhere near that…that…whore.”

SLAM!

The door flies off its hinges, and Levi’s chuckle fills the room.

“You act like that’s an insult, Sare Bear.”

There isn’t a single scratch to be seen—no evidence he didn’t just experience the force of a bomb only a handful of hours ago. I shove Saren behind my back and growl out a warning. Levi just laughs louder.

“Smells like sex in here.”

“Get the fuck out.” I summon the pulse, but it… “What?”

Levi’s eyes go directly to my palm, and I stare down in horror to find that the black mark that’s been rapidly growing for months is fucking gone. How did I not notice that?

No one moves for a few seconds.

I try three more times, but nothing happens.

What. The. Fuck.

“You see,” Levi starts, casually walking around the tiny shack and inspecting our drying clothes, “I had my suspicions for years, Aryx. The resistance, the way you refused to commit, and once I laid eyes on your precious Saren, I knew. What I don’t understand is how you didn’t?” Green eyes find mine.

I swallow hard.

“You never could see the bigger picture. Tell me, why do you think Telex chose to kill you all?”

“Saren,” I rasp. But he doesn’t answer me. I glance over my shoulder and find him wide-eyed and terrified.