I plunged into the water and tried to drag air into my lungs, trying to prepare myself for the ice cold contact but it never came.
I felt as if my body was locked in a casket with no air, like I was in vacuum and floating through the darkness which rippled with flares of blue, it was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced and then it ended as abruptly as it began.
I was launched into the air, a sudden flash of green and blue and my body hit the ground. I groaned and sat up, hands clutching my head. A dull thud beside me announced the arrival of my luggage. I cursed and pushed myself up. It was then that I noticed my surroundings. I was standing near a small pond of sorts which could be nothing but the portal. The rich sounds of unfamiliarity echoed around me. I had to admit that it was one hell of a gloomy forest.
What have you gotten me into Hemsworth?
I picked up my bags and contemplated jumping back into the portal. It was a very good idea. I groaned. If it weren't for Devon Knight I would have done just that but I had to find him and get out of this place as soon as I could.
Where was the bloody organisation? I wondered as I roamed the forest, my nose sniffing the air. If I continued like this it would take days to reach there and I only had three weeks before the glamour dropped. I didn't even bring my gun. Hemsworth had said the security system at the human organisation won't allow it. Damn humans.
I froze as I heard the twitching sound.
It was coming from above. I breathed deeply and tried to keep my wolf inside. Don't look up! I warned myself. I could smell them. They were two humans.
"H-hello?" I called out in English, one of the major human languages which we agents were trained to speak for situations like this during our training. I made myself look small by hunching my shoulders and making my voice crack, trying to sound frightened.
"Is anybody t-there?" I called out again, praying that the humans above would make some move.
"You need help, Ma'am?" One of them spoke and jumped down from the tree behind me. I screamed. I feigned falling backwards in fear and scooted farther from them.
"Don't be afraid, Ma'am. We work for a research organisation just a few miles away." He explained and the other man jumped down too. They were wearing black leather suits and their bodies were loaded with weapons. I tried not to laugh. I could rip their heads off before any of them could even pull the trigger.
"I.. I have lost my w-way." I stammered.
"Where do you want to go?" Human no. 1 asked. Oh, no. Hemsworth didn't tell me the name of the organisation. I paled and tried to think of something.
"I think I am searching for the same place that you work for." I blurted out. I cursed at myself. I could've come up with something better.
They both stiffened and stared at each other. I watched with growing unease as some sort of message was delivered between them. I was tired because of the energy drain from the portal and I didn't want to kill two humans on the first day and mess up the laws of the treaty.
"Come with us." Human no. 2 said.
Alarm clocks went off in my head and I stiffened.
"W-Where?" I asked
"You will see." Human no. 2 said with a smirk.
They led me deeper into the woods and I couldn't help but notice the black paint smeared on their faces and the slicked back hair. My eyes widened as I realised that it was for camouflage. Human no. 1 looked at me as he noticed my stare.
"What?" He asked.
"The paint?"
"It's for-"
"Camouflage?" I interrupted.
"Well, yes. It helps us to hide and lay in wait for the tribal men." He whispered.
"Tribe men?"
"The people of the.. local tribes are frequent trespassers in the organisation compounds. They cause a lot of trouble and so we have to lay in wait for scaring them off." Human no. 2 explained. His eyes narrowed slightly at me. His heart was beating rapidly and he was sweating. He was lying.
A piece of advice, never lie to werewolves we know when you do.
What are you hiding? I asked him silently.
We walked for a long time through the forest. The sounds of animals slithering about in the thicket and the rustling of water nearby was like music to my ears. I hissed as I slapped away the mosquitoes stinging my arms and legs every second of the way and the humans laughed.
"Should always cover your skin in these forests, Ma'am. Those nasty creatures can cause some real diseases." Human no. 1 said.
I flashed him a smile and continued walking.
"What position do you work for?" Human no. 2 asked. I stared at the ground for a few seconds then sighed.
"They won't tell me. I will know when I get there." I whispered to him. He laughed and stepped closer. I just wanted to get there and be done with these two.
We stopped as human no. 1 held his hand in front of me. "We can't go any further, ma'am. You'll have to go on your own from here. Just go straight and you'll reach the gates." He explained. I was relieved to be rid of them so I smiled broadly and turned to face them.
"Thank you so much for helping me." I said to them and bowed slightly, not knowing how to behave with the humans, my training had been of the little we knew of them a few centuries ago and though they had grown along with us, technology and all.. it was still awkward when they laughed at me.
"It's our pleasure, ma'am." They said and I quickly hurried along the path. They didn't seem like trouble but I was happy to be rid of them. I walked along the tree lined path, paying attention to each and every sound around me. I didn't even realise that I had crossed the deeper part of the forest until I was standing before the tall metal gates which buzzed and had a security of some type that looked very high tech. I looked up and down, a low whistle escaping my lips.
"Someone's got money." I whispered as I walked over to the gate and as soon as I stepped beyond the white markings a few steps away from the gate, a loud alarm blazed in my ears and I froze.
The sound was coming from inside the gate. My head started spinning and I had to crouch down. I growled and tried to block the sound but it just kept coming and I nearly jumped out of my skin when a cool metal thing touched my head.
"Get down on the ground. Don't move." A deep voice said as the tip of a gun was shoved against my head in warning. The alarm had stopped. I breathed deeply in relief and buried my face in my hands.
"What the hell was that?" I rasped.
"Security alarm. Anyone who is not a part of the team can't enter." He explained. I couldn't see his face as he still held me at gunpoint and I valued my life enough to not look up.
"Move that thing away from me." I said stiffly to him.
"Not so fast, darling. I need to know why you are here." He drawled.
"I am new here, an employee. My name is Iris Holroyd." I said through clenched teeth.
"Iris.. The new kid who is gonna work for Dr. O'neil?" He asked. I didn't know who Dr O'neil was but I just gave him a nod.
"I need your ID." He said and I quickly pulled my bag near me.
"Let me search through that." He said and snatched the bag from me.
"I will kill you if you open it!" I hissed. The human just laughed and I had to ball my fists to keep myself contained.
I listened as he sorted through my bag and a few minutes later tossed a rectangular laminated card in front of me. It was my ID with Iris Holroyd's info on it and a grainy picture of my face which was somehow me but not me. Good job, Agent Cash. I would make sure I gave him a long hug when I went back to Etherea.
"Welcome to the Genomic Mutation Research Center, Miss Holroyd." He drawled and withdrew the gun. I was shaking with rage as I stood up and looked at him. He had a pair of dark glasses on and was smirking at me.
"Easy there, darling. It's standard protocol to check anyone before they enter the gates." He clarified, his hands clasping the gun to his shoulder.
"I hope you enjoy working here." He said one last time and tilted his head towards the gate.
I looked at the gates which were now being opened by two men who were wearing black leather suits; just like the ones the two humans from earlier had on.
"I am Commander Zetsev. I control the guards." He said with a cocky grin. I instantly disliked him.
"Whatever, Zetsev. I am going in." I said over my shoulder and entered past the gates. There was a paved pathway lined by trees and it led to a very high profile and classy looking structure that I could guess was the main building. I walked over to the glass doors which were tinted and reflected my image. I looked horrible. My hair was a mess and I had dirt all over my clothes and face. I grinned. I should try this look at the office sometime. Winterlash would love it.
I was still laughing to myself when I entered the building.
"How may I help you, ma'am?" The chirping voice drew me to the women standing behind the counter at the reception. She was wearing a pencil skirt and a white blouse, looking at me with owlish eyes.
"I am.. Iris Holroyd and I-"
"Thank God!" She interrupted with a squeal. "I am so glad you're here! I won't have to lose my job now. Thank you!" She gushed as she got out from behind the counter and grabbed my hand. I flicked my wrist and shrugged her hand off me. Were all humans this clingy?! How was I going to manage here?
"Come with me, Miss Holroyd. I am so sorry I was supposed to pick you up at the airport but I was late because it was raining and my car stopped working and stuff. I was so worried about you and Dr O'neil would have fired me if you didn't show up. I know I am rambling but just know that I am so glad to see you." She rattled as we walked down the sleek and polished corridor. I was just glad that she wasn't there to pick Iris up at the airport.
"I will show you to your room, you need to change your clothes." She said, her eyes followed me from head to toe.
"I got lost in the forest after the bus driver dropped me in the middle of nowhere." I lied. She nodded in understanding and stopped before a wooden door.
"This is your room. There's a map of the building on the table and please call the reception area if you need anything." She said and opened the door, handing me the keys. I nodded my thanks at her and closed the door.
I leaned against the closed door and squeezed my eyes shut. I made it. I laughed nervously and just stared at the ceiling. I made it.
***
I soaked in the hot tub for another minute and sipped the orange juice. This place was lavish. I had expected a mad scientist's lab with chemicals and mutilated animals running amok when Hemsworth had mentioned the organisation but it was totally different. The room I was given was a 5 star hotel suite with an enviable bathroom and a huge bed with a soft mattress; the only minus was that there were no windows. I sighed long and weary, sliding my legs out of the water and on the tiled floor. I wrapped my wet hair in a fluffy towel and shrugged on a robe. Picking up the glass, I walked back into my room. I was just going to sit on the bed when I heard the distant sound of footsteps. I straightened and placed the glass on the bedside table. The footsteps stopped outside my room and I quickly reached for my gun and realised that I didn't have one. I cursed as I heard the knock. Then a man's voice.
"Miss Holroyd?"
I tried to calm myself and walked over to the door and remembered that I was not wearing my lenses. I staggered backwards and rushed into the bathroom, I searched the sink where I had kept the case. With shaky hands, I undid the cover and scooped the lens on my fingertip and inserted it into my eyes. I blinked and did the same with the other eye.
"Miss Holroyd?" The man called again and a series of knocks followed. I wanted to growl at him.
I rushed back to the door, unlocked it and jerked it open.
"What the hell do you want?" I snapped.
The man was a human. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes and a very tall frame. I looked like a dwarf in front of him. He was staring at me from head to toe and I tried not to snarl.
"What are you staring at? Go away." I was about to close the door but he just grabbed the knob and swung it open.
"I am Samuel O'neil." He said.
"Hello, Sam. Now get lost." I said and tugged at the door. He grinned, showing his pearly white teeth.
"Get dressed, Miss Holroyd. We need to work." He said, his eyes unreadable.
"What?!" I exclaimed. Who was this man?
"From what I know, you were hired as my assistant. Weren't you, Iris?" His voice turned husky at the end and I slowly looked at his face. He was wearing a long white coat and there was a small badge on his chest that said 'O'Neil' in a white scrawl.
"You're.. Dr. O'neil?"
He just raised one dark brow.
Damn.
I tried not to look at the man walking beside me. Dr. O'neil was a handsome man, I would give him that but he was cold. He seemed the type to kick someone's dog just out of spite. Since dogs were close to wolves and wolves were closer to what I was.. you could hazard a guess that I was not comfortable with him. He had hurried me to change and had dragged me along with him. He hadn't even given me a chance to eat and as if on cue my stomach growled. "You should've had something to eat before coming with me, I intend to work till midnight." He said casually. "As if I had a choice! You literally dragged me along with you!" I shot him an accusing glance. The man just scoffed and kept on walking down the corridor and I had to follow like a puppy."Before we start, Miss Holroyd, I would like for you to go under some security procedures." He warned and opened the glass doors to his lab. I hesitated as I entered. "There are a bunch of papers on the desk, please sign them and we can begin
My stomach dropped as I stared at Dr. O'neil's smiling face. Behind him the rich darkness called to me and the beast's growls racked invisible claws down my back. This was no werewolf. Whatever it was, it wasn't of any world and there was Devon. The two scents confused me, I wanted to turn tail and run the hell out of that place. "Iris, my dear, don't be scared. It won't harm you." Samuel O'neil soothed as he saw my expression. The beast snarled from inside and it called to me. The vibrations of the sound hitting my bones, it was making my wolf excited. I took a few steps towards the door, my body shaking with fear and I could feel my bones shifting, my eyes burning and once again I was thankful for the darkness."Move." I snarled at the doctor and stepped past him inside the room. My heart skipped a beat as I glimpsed him. Silver, glowing, hot searing orbs. The silver so bright that I had to squint."What are you.." the words left my mouth with a rush of air. "He's my greatest expe
I stared at the hybrid sleeping in my bed. I had to inject him with one of the drug filled syringes to stop him from attacking me. I felt a stab of guilt for doing that but then I remembered the white bandage on the bite mark on my neck and shrugged. I did it to save myself. I shouldn't feel any sort of guilt. It had taken a lot of patience and strength on my part to drag him, who weighed double my body weight, up to my room in the dead of night without alerting someone of what I was doing. It was 3 am in the morning and I felt like I was run down by a truck. I stretched my body and let out a groan as I felt the knot in my back loosen. I staggered towards the bed and looked down at the still half naked Devon Knight. He looked so different when he slept. The lines of his face softened and his dark brows were relaxed, his sensual mouth curved into a peaceful half smile.The dark curtains of his lashes fluttered over his cheeks and I felt a spark of fear, my hand going immediately to t
"I am so sorry." I said miserably as I watched him stiffen, his eyes turning glassy as if he had gone numb. "I was too late. I am so sorry." I whispered and buried my face in his chest, breathing in the now familiar scent of his. He was silent for so long and I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a heavy arm wrap around my waist. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and froze. "A hybrid." He whispered against my skin. "A monster. I am truly a monster now." He said, his voice sounded shattered as if he were fighting some inner demons and I felt his body shake. His hands tightened around me, his fingers clenching around my waist. "I am a monster, Ayrin." He growled.I stiffened.He called me Ayrin. I didn't know why but that hurt me. I pulled my face away from his chest and pushed him back until he was forced to let go. I jumped out of the bed and stumbled to the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind me. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes looked pained. Wh
I sat down on the floor, trying to think of an escape plan. "How the hell are we going to get out?!" I shouted after some time. I was frustrated because the damned organisation was so well guarded that it was impossible to escape without getting caught. I snarled and jumped up, clutching my head with my hands. Impossible! "I can help you." He said from behind me. I groaned and turned to face him.He was fresh out of a shower, wet hair slicked back and a few locks curling at his neck, enticingly. He was wearing one of my oversized sweatshirts which was too tight for him, molding to his abs and his chest like second skin. His features were sharp, his nose straight and his eyebrows arched. His lips were slightly thin at the edges and it made him look too damn handsome and not to mention those gray orbs. He blinked and I realized that I was staring. "Uh.. what did you say?" I asked, trying hard not to cringe because of how breathless I sounded. "I can take us out of here." He said, h
Devon snarled and launched himself at the guard, his body changing right in front of my eyes until all that was left of him were the silver eyes on the huge black wolf that was tearing away viciously at the guard. I was shocked but I didn't waste time as I quickly pulled out my gun and kicked the other guard who had reached for me. His gun flew out of his hands and I didn't hesitate to shoot his leg. He howled as he went down.I picked up his machine gun and turned to face the third guard but he was not where he had been moments ago. I looked around sharply until I saw him moving slowly towards where Devon was clawing at the first guard. He had his gun trained on Devon's wolf form. I cursed and rushed for him but it was too late. A deafening sound came from the gun as I watched the bullets hit the wolf's black fur. He growled and his form trembled, his fur dripping with blood as he turned to look at the guard who was still pointing the gun at him, I shouted and fired at the guard blin
I somehow managed to keep my eyes away from the six feet of muscled young, male werewolf who was standing in front of me as naked as the day he was born. It was a relief that his back was to me so I didn't get the full view. I gulped as I squeezed my eyes shut. It was not uncommon to see naked bodies in Etherea occasionally in your life because it was a werewolf realm but some bodies.. damn. I got onto my feet and tried to ignore the constant drumming in my head. Damn, the guard hit me too hard. "You're ready, Agent?" He asked as I came to stand beside him, trying to keep my eyes on the surface of the lake and not anywhere else. His question had me going rigid and I quickly peeked at his face. He was not looking at me."What?" I asked. "We have to jump through the portal, keep your head straight." He barked. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. He knew I was uncomfortable because of him. That damned hybrid knew."Yes, Agent." I whispered meekly and stared down at the lake. Shit
I sat there numb for a few minutes. The screams were so filled with pain that it made goosebumps rise on my body. I just couldn't handle the fact that someone was in pain while I sat there. I pulled myself up and slowly rubbed my eyes. One look at the clock said it was 8 in the morning. I had to go to the office and inform Winterlash about all that had happened in the human world.My eyes fell back to the phone and I shivered. I had to do something to forget the phone call, I decided as I took off for my room. I changed into a gray cotton shirt which hung loose on me and buttoned on the front, a pair of tight black slacks and a braided beige belt. I stepped into my all black running shoes and pulled my hair back in a tight ponytail. I reached down under my bed and took out the tranquilliser gun and my lethal 9 mm which had silver bullets, tucking them into my thigh holster. I was ready. My pickup was waiting for me and I quickly got in, starting it down the slope and onto the road.