Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
“If this”—I pant—“is what”—big breath—“you have in here”—I gasp—“then what the hell is in your”—another breath—“sex dungeon?!”
He places the vibrator against my clit and grins. “If we make it to the next solar, maybe I’ll show you.”
“Uvie, locate Emery,” I say later that day.
“Locating Emery,” the computerized voice repeats. I could get used to having a digital assistant. She really comes in handy. “Emery is in the Command Center.”
“Thank you.”
I sent Oz away after another cat nap with strict orders to work until midnight at the latest. I bring him meals at lunch and dinner, but I don’t stick around because even though I want him to take it easy, I also understand how much is riding on his work. He doesn’t need any distractions as long as he’s taking care of himself.
Besides, I promised to use his contraptions on him tonight if he comes back for sleep when his work for the day was through, which seemed to motivate him plenty.
Following my mental map, I navigate to the Command Center where I find Emery, Calix, Breccan, and Aria facing a big screen with other morts and humans I don’t recognize. They must be the ones at the prison. Curious, I ease inside so as not to disturb them.
“How is my mother?” a beautiful woman with red hair the exact same shade as Molly asks. “Has she had the baby yet?”
“Not yet,” Emery answers.
“I am surprised you can’t hear her bellowing clear across Mortuus,” says Calix.
Aria smiles ruefully. “She’s not very pleased about bed rest.”
The woman smiles. She doesn’t seem young enough to be Molly’s daughter. If I had to guess, I’d put them at the same age. Then again, that wouldn’t be the strangest thing I’ve learned since waking up here. “I can imagine. She’s doing okay, though, aside from that?”
“As well as she can be carrying Draven’s giant mortling. If that baby doesn’t come out twice the size of a normal mortling, I’d be surprised,” Breccan says. After a chuckle, he adds, “Don’t worry, Willow, we’re taking good care of her. We’ll call as soon as the mortling comes so you can meet your new brother or sister.”
“I can’t wait to meet them for real.”
“Soon,” says Lyric.
Breccan’s gaze turns to the mort at Lyric’s side. Her mate Hadrian. He is Breccan’s unofficial “son,” having been orphaned by the original outbreak of The Rades. “How is Avrell’s progress? We’ll all need to be together when Oz finishes his weapon. I don’t want our family being apart when the Kevins attack.”
“Slow, but they’re working as hard as they can,” Hadrian answers, wrapping an arm around Lyric. “They may bicker, but we think they’re close to a cure. Trust me, Commander, we all want to come home as soon as possible.”
“Have there been more losses of life?” Calix asks.
“Not since the last one,” Willow replies. “The spread of the disease seems to have stabilized. Those who were sick haven’t gotten any worse, which is a good sign.”
“How is your progress with the Kevin-Killer?” Hadrian asks Breccan. “Has Oz finished his weapon?”
At this, everyone turns to me. Anxiety begins to claw at my throat, but I force myself to step forward and smile hesitantly. “Um, hi. I’m Oz’s…mate. He’s close to finishing the prototype for testing. He hopes to be finished within the next day…I mean solar or two.”
“Quinn, right?” Willow asks. At my nod, she says, “We’ve heard a lot about you. I can’t wait to see your library.”
I like her already. “Thank you. Will you be coming to the facility soon?”
“As soon as Zoe and Av stop fighting long enough to ensure we don’t infect everyone,” Hadrian answers. “It won’t be a moment too soon. If they don’t shut it, I’m feeding them both to a couple of armworms.”
“Same time tomorrow for an update, Hadrian.”
“See you then,” he answers.
As the morts and their mates begin to file out, I join Emery. “How many people are at the prison?”
“We’re not certain after The Rades. Maybe a couple dozen.”
“Can this place fit that many people?” I wonder aloud.
“It may have to.” Calix wraps an arm around Emery. “There are more rooms to the facility on other levels. We closed them off after the worst of The Rades because they weren’t necessary with so few people. If and when the people from the prison arrive, we’ll make room. We’ll do whatever we have to to make sure everyone survives.”
“Would it be weird of me to say I miss those guys? It seems far too quiet without Hadrian, Theron, and Avrell here.”
As though to contradict her statement, we all hear a loud BOOM from somewhere inside the facility.
10
Ozias
Eight Solars Left
“You took out half the wall,” Breccan gripes, peering through the hole.
Jareth climbs through the hole from the other side. “No one’s hurt, but Sayer is not pleased you took out a row of his shelves.”