Chapter 39
Kieran
I knew something was wrong when I saw Lyra stumble out of the woods looking terrified.
Guards were already rushing in to the woods. An alarm sounded, sending everyone to their rooms.
And I couldn’t see Seph or Ash anywhere.
Wild stepped out, talking to Ivan in low tones. The next thing I saw was Rod, limping out with blood down his face, his leg clearly broken. The guards surrounded him but the first thing he did was point at Lyra.
“She did it! It was her plan!”
Guards moved on Lyra instantly.
Her eyes glazed, her fight reflex kicking in before her brain did—she kicked, screamed, clawed at anyone within reach. A guard grabbed her by the jaw and injected a sedative straight into her neck.
“He was mine—she knew it! He was mine!” Lyra wailed, voice cracking, words slurring into nonsense.
It was pitiful.
“What plan?” I demanded.
Dev’s hand clamped down on my shoulder—sharp, urgent. “K.”
I turned and froze.
The medical team was carrying out a still, covered body.
Ollie.
“Holy fuck. She killed him,” Dev whispered, stepping in beside me.
A hand slipped from beneath the blanket—small, shrivelled, grey.
Withered like a husk.
Blood-stained.
My stomach twisted.
Dr Marr emerged from his clinic, gaze locking on the body with a hunger that made me sick. His eyes gleamed—bright, fascinated, almost ecstatic. At his curt nod, the medics diverted toward Ward A.
Marr followed, practically vibrating.
He had been waiting for this.
I couldn’t breathe.
I ran into the woods, branches whipping past me, until I reached the clearing where the ropes still hung.
Blood was everywhere.
I looked at the ground and saw the needle.
“They dosed Ash,” I surmised, “then tied her up.”
My hands curled into fists before I realised I’d moved.
“Fuck.” Dev cursed.
“Gentlemen what are you doing here?” Wild asked, stepping up to the tree.
“Where the fuck is she Wild?”
“We are using all our resources to track Miss Quinn and Mr Lyconis down. I assure you, she will be found.”
“Miss Quinn. You fucking did it, didn’t you. You released her name.”
“Miss Quinn enrolled with us under false pretences. I was merely righting a wrong.”
“You couldn’t control her so you let your goons attack her.”
“That is quite the accusation, Mr Hawthorne. Do you have any proof?”
I felt my lightning stir beneath my skin. “Do I need it?”
Wild just stared at me, a smirk on her painted face. “Tread carefully, Mr Hawthorne. Dr Marr has been telling me recently how interesting your power is. He would love the chance to put you in one of his labs in Ward A, given the opportunity.”
“You can’t touch me and you know it.”
“Perhaps. For now.”
Wild scanned the scene. “Tragic really. I didn’t realise quite how twisted Ms Vale had become with her power. Your friend seemed to bring out the worst in her. But she will answer for this crime.”
Her phone chirped and she checked it, as if she had been waiting for it. She nodded, her smile growing. I glimpsed over her shoulder and caught a name.
Gideon Quinn. Notification of payment.
What the fuck?
“You aren’t blaming Seph?”
“A null? Never. Particularly not Gideon Quinn’s daughter. No, rest assured if Miss Quinn contacts you, you can inform her it’s safe to come back to Darkmoor. Whatever happened here was clearly self-defence.”
“Why the hell would we trust you.”
Wild just shrugged. “Whether you do or not, it makes no difference. Now excuse me. I have some phone calls to make.”
I watched her saunter off, my anger growing.
“What the hell was that?” Dev asked.
I looked at him then turned. I recognised the tracks immediately.
Ash.
“Come on. We need to go find her now.”