Kira's POV
My hands are gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles look like white marbles. Synthesis Research Center sits in front of me, all pretty glass and steel like it's some normal office building instead of a torture chamber. But I know better. Somewhere behind those clean walls, they're hurting the people I love most.
Through our mate bond, I can barely feel Damon anymore. Just these tiny flickers of consciousness fighting against whatever s**t they've pumped into his veins. It's like trying to hear someone whisper from across a football field during a thunderstorm.
My phone buzzes. Dr. Vasquez, right on time like f*****g death itself.
"Miss Richardson, I trust you've had time to consider our offer."
"I'm here," I say. Simple. Direct. No point in dancing around it.
"Ex
