it had gone wrong. Val found out and stopped it. I was sold to the demons instead. We all knew how that turned out. “Stefan was tasked with learning more and potentially neutralizing Valenti, but his mission was shelved when it became clear he was no longer viable.”
I bit my tongue, battling old arguments. “Adam. For once, can we just put all the history aside? People are dying. They’ll die in the thousands. We’re among the handful who can do something about it. For whatever reason, I’m in the middle of it. I share the same element as my brother. I can use that. Let me help. All of me. Give me the antidote. Let me talk to your half bloods and see if I can rally them. We have a few days. Would you just let me be me? You wanted a half-blood weapon, and you’ve got one, but you gotta work with me, not against me.”
His fawny eyes softened, and I saw something of the man behind the Institute, maybe even the father Stefan never had. He stood slowly, almost graceful. “I’m sorry.”
The door behind me swung open. I shoved from the chair, turning, and reaching for the little flame burning within. Taser prongs punched into my chest.
* * *
I SHOULD HAVE WAGERED with Ryder. What are the odds of the Institute locking me up? He’d have laughed and told me only idiots bet on odds like that.
I woke in the muted light of the science lab, restraints fixing me to the bed. Well, shit. I took stock of my surroundings. I was alone. An IV drip-fed clear liquid into my veins, probably laced with PC34. The room was all spearmint and white, typical Institute neutrality. I snarled, mostly at myself for thinking Adam would ever listen to me. A flicker of heat licked at my insides. A smile crawled across my lips. They trusted their science too much. I closed my eyes and stoked the heat, luring it out of the dark. The delicate dance of power shimmied and shied. Come. I called to it. Come back to me. And in a rush of liquid heat, it did. Fire lashed from my toes to my head, rolling up and over me. I bucked and snatched a gasp. Alarms shrilled. Akil’s scent stroked the rising thrill and drove my soul-parasite back. This element was Akil’s and mine. His gift. As the power swelled, ecstasy raked its nails across my flesh and spilled heat into my core. Demon thoughts poured into my mind, and she came, my darker other half. Elemental energy surged through my veins, turning my skin volcanic black. Fire sizzled beneath my flesh. The restraints melted away, and I fell to the floor, a beast draped in flame. My one ruined wing burst from my back. I stretched it high as I got to my feet and gave it a refreshing flick just as the enforcers stormed the room.
“Hello, boys.” I threw up a veil of heat so intense it burned clear. They fired their semi-auto rifles. Non-etched rounds peppered my shield. It tickled. While they emptied their magazines, I sought out the heat slumbering in the building. This far underground, heat was plentiful. Ducts funneled much of it topside until I reached out to it and pulled it back. Flames licked and danced around me. I raised my arms and marveled at the play of firelight. Yes. This was me. And I was so damn ready to be destruction.
Only when the gunfire stopped, did I remember my audience. I turned my attention back to the squad of enforcers. They didn’t run. I’ll give them that. Had they run, I might not have been able to stop my instincts from demanding I give chase.
“This isn’t possible.” Adam loomed behind them.
I smiled my most friendly demon smile, the one filled with fangs. “Adam, Adam, Adam.” I purred. “When will you stop underestimating me?”
“Fall back,” he ordered his men. He stepped inside the room with his squad crowding the hallway outside. Sweat streamed down his face. Patches of wetness stained his shirt. Was he brave to step in front of his men or just too stubborn to believe I’d hurt him. “Muse, I didn’t want this.”
“Save it.” Predatory hunger bubbled my words.
“Look at yourself. You’re a threat. Just like any Class A demon. I had to get you off the streets.”
“Adam, when will you realize not every demon is your enemy? I’m not a threat to you.” Right