Three paces inside, Adam stopped at the first thick, clear window. Considering what the cell held, Layla didn’t think the window was made of glass.
Inside was a wraith. Layla had originally come to Segue to look at one, to charge Adam and his wife with bringing this scourge on the world. Now that she had a good look at the real thing, up close so there could be no mistake, she could tell for certain that there was no earthly way any disease or drug had created him.
His face had seemed normal, youthful, just for an instant, but then he crouched defensively. His jaw unlocked and his mouth gaped open while barbarous teeth extended. Normal human eyes went hollow and mad, and his skin turned sallow with a queer, sudden emaciation. There was no way in hell that thing was human.
She’d learned as much from Talia and from her research today, but now the truth was feet from her.
Yes, Segue and the government were lying to the public. An elaborate hoax and cover-up were definitely in play. But, as Khan had said on their first meeting, sometimes a little deception was called for. Should she broadcast the truth, knowing everything possible was being done? Or should she trust Adam, and let him spin the facts as he saw fit?
It was a problem.
Further, it was a problem both Adam and Talia trusted her with.
Should she take this picture, or let the camera hang around her neck? This was the story she came for, and she had data to prove her claims, but she was stumped.
Adam was watching her carefully. She knew that he knew she was deciding something.
She let the camera hang. For now. “How long has he been here?”
And Adam seemed to completely relax. “We’ve had this one in custody about two weeks. He’s hungry, which makes it more difficult for him to maintain the appearance of normalcy. He’ll become hungrier still because The Order comes to destroy them only when all the cells are full. Used to be Khan took care of them, but since he found other projects”—an eyebrow went up—“we asked The Order to take over.”
“Talia can’t . . . ?”
“Not alone, no.”
They walked on. The cells formed a neat semicircle, at the end of which was a large space with padded chairs lined up to view an operating room of sorts, which was located behind a transparent wall.
“We started by trying to find a cure. These days the research has shifted to rates of regeneration, identifying variables and any relationship to . . .”
Adam’s voice muted as an earsplitting scream shredded Layla’s mind. It staggered her, then brought her to her knees as she gripped her head. A woman’s scream, sharp enough to cut glass. The sound scored like jagged lightning. Burned in her mind with horror and fear, a soul cry for help. The scream went on and on, and Layla had to work to remember how to breathe, how to speak, how to tell Adam . . .
A grasp and yank on her shoulders had her standing again, Adam shouting soundlessly into her face. Though she couldn’t hear him, his mouth moved, saying, What’s wrong? What’s happening?
“Talia,” Layla said, or hoped she said. She forced her voice louder, just in case. “Talia!”
An unearthly shriek of terror filled Khan’s mind. He dropped his work at the forge, the hammer sparking with impact on the cavern floor. He crossed through Twilight in a rage, baleful darkness riding his wake. If Talia called, she was in danger. If Talia screamed, she needed Death.
No one touched his banshee daughter.
Layla saw Adam’s head jerk around as the lights in the facility changed from clean white to a deep yellow. She guessed the alarm had gone off, too late, though, to alert screaming Talia to danger.
Layla lurched into a run toward the cells, in the direction of the exit, but Adam grabbed her and held her back. He shook his head no. Half dragged her through the double row of seats to the examination room. The facing wall seemed to be made of glass or plastic, but knowing Adam, she was sure it was made of much stronger stuff.
The scream broke off suddenly.
“If she screamed, they’re inside,” Adam was saying, his voice distant as her hearing slowly returned.
“Then go. Now!” Urgency ruined her voice. Layla could take care of herself. She’d seen wraith action before. It was Talia and the children who needed Adam immediately.
“Khan will go to her. He’ll already be there. Even now.” But Adam’s face was lined with pain. “We can’t risk you, not with the threat of the gate over our heads. If you die before Khan can dismantle it, the gate will stand forever. It’s too dangerous.”
“But . . .” How would Khan know he was needed? How could he get to Talia so quickly?
Adam coded open the door to the examination room and pushed her inside. “You’ll be safe here. It’s wraithtight, but not a cell. Security goes both ways in this room. Audio only.” He rattled off a code. “You can get out if you need to, but don’t unless your life is at risk. Wait for one of us to come for you. The soldiers are still up front, just in case. I’m taking the back way.”