eyes intent on mine. “I did not know, Celeste. What they’re doing to you. To all of you. And I . . . I can’t take back what’s done, but I can help you leave this place.”
My heart leaps at his words. “You know a way out?”
He deflates. “Not exactly. Le Rêve is on an island. The mainland is only accessible by a bridge which emerges once a month at low tide, and that isn’t for another three weeks. Or by boat, which Cutter keeps locked away. Even if I broke you out of here, there would be nowhere to run. The few humans on this island are in his pocket.”
“I see.” I swallow my disappointment, but it sticks like a lump in my throat. I’m not surprised. Cutter seems too smart to have left an easy exit.
“Don’t give up, love.”
His whispered words are tender and I find myself caught in his softening gaze. The air thickens with a tension that feels much different from the danger and fear I’ve been fighting.
He leans in, pressing me against the wall that’s only half-solid at my back.
My senses fill with him. The scent, the feel of him so close. Weeks of tension between us have left my heart yearning and my skin aching for his touch.
The intensity of the moment knocks me off-balance. His arm snakes around my waist, holding me steady.
Still, I hesitate, holding my breath while I wait for him to pull away. Until now, he’s been so careful, so proper.
“Celeste,” he says, bending to brush a soft kiss across my mouth.
I shudder.
Despite the coldness of his skin, I am hot everywhere.
“More,” I whisper.
He pulls away slightly and flashes a mischievous smile. “All right, but I think it’s safe to say I am officially no longer your doctor from this moment on. I’m just Logan.”
My lips curve. “Deal.” I pause, his name catching in my throat. “Logan.”
Clutching his shirt, I pull him down and press my mouth to his.
The kiss is better than I imagined, sending my thoughts scattering and my nerves firing until all I can think about is his mouth, his tongue, his hands.
My grip on my power slips as need takes me over.
The walls become solid as the magic that hid us away finally fades.
I shove at the doctor, urgent now, ending our embrace abruptly. “You have to go. We’re not hidden anymore.”
He hesitates.
“Don’t worry about me. Dean and Declan will keep me safe until we can figure something out.”
He nods and moves for the door but then stops and looks back.
“I’m not giving up, Celeste. I will find a way. I swear it.”
Before I can respond, he slips out of the closet and vanishes.
With deep breaths, I wait and listen to see if the coast is clear enough for me to slip away too. Voices echo through the corridors, most of them far away, but some sound much closer.
Somewhere nearby, Nurse Schmidt yells for more orderlies to aid the search for me.
I close my eyes.
Hope is a dangerous thing when you're a prisoner. Nevertheless, I feel the seed of it planted in my heart by Dr. Livingstone—Logan’s—words, and I cling to it with everything I have left. With his help, we might actually be able to find a way out.
If we don't escape this hell, we will die in it, that I know for sure.
I give Logan a few more minutes lead while I stay crouched in the closet. Schmidt will find me eventually. And hand me off to Cutter who is undoubtedly furious that I failed his little test. But before I'm taken for more experiments, I need to make sure Declan and Dean are okay.
My stomach turns at the thought of them being forced to hurt and torment each other. Especially after all they gave up to protect one another.
When enough time has passed, I ease the door open and peek into the hall.
It's clear.
For now.
Holding my breath, I creep out, and as I make my way silently towards my room, Estelle appears, her shadowy figure flitting in and out.
She doesn't speak, but I hear her voice in my mind.
Hurryhurryhurry.
Time is running out.
He is coming for you.
With silent feet and furtive glances around sharp corners, I dart quickly through the halls. I'm surprised when I make it back to my room without being caught.
The door stands ajar, and I stop short just before I reach it, wariness overtaking my relief.
Something’s not right.
This is too easy.
With careful movements, I close the distance and ease the