Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

BUT DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU.

T he air smelled of damp earth and decay… morphing into a stringent sterilized scent as I passed the threshold. Flickering iridescent lights flashed on, illuminating the area. Concrete walls, concrete floor, and brightly painted block numbers and letters were the only decoration. I shivered, not just from the cold that seemed to seep into my very bones, but also from the feeling of being imprisoned. The place felt impersonal… stripping away part of my identity between its formidable walls.

"Welcome," said a gruff voice, belonging to an older man with gray hair and a stern expression. "You'll each have your own rooms, as discussed. Follow me." His footsteps echoed down the long, blindingly lit hallway. We walked in silence, and I couldn't help but feel like a lamb being led to slaughter.

We entered a hallway with several rooms that I'd seen before. "This is your room, just like before you eloped. Everyone's name is on the door. Go settle into your rooms and someone will be by to brief you on what happens next. Except for you, Parker. The boss wants to see you right away."

"Wait." Rhiot's voice rang out, halting everyone in their tracks. He glared at the man, his body tense as he contained his emotions. "I don't think it's wise for Parker to be alone. She needs someone from our team with her at all times."

"Rhiot, I can handle myself." I muttered, cheeks warming with embarrassment. But deep down, I knew he was right. My demonic powers were unpredictable, and having someone nearby who could help me control them was a necessity. Not only had my powers gotten me in trouble in the first place, but they'd only caused problems since. Besides, I didn't trust the people running this place.

"Sorry, but they were clear. She's the only one invited," the man replied tersely, crossing his arms over his chest. "No exceptions."

"Rules be damned." Trux growled, stepping closer to the man. His eyes flashed with danger. I sensed the power within him. He pushed his alpha aura out, willing the man to bend to his will. The weight of it almost dropped me to my knees. I tried to speak up, but he spoke first. "Parker's safety is our top priority. If you won't allow one of us to stay with her, then we'll call off the entire thing."

"It's okay," I intervened, placing a hand on his arm and trying to diffuse the situation. Trux looked down at me, his eyes softening, but the tension remained. I sighed, feeling the weight of my demon powers burden me and those around me. Things were intense, and I didn't want them to get worse. Besides, they wouldn't do anything stupid while my mates were here… would they?

"Fine!" The man threw his hands up in exasperation. "If it means that much to you, someone can stay with her. But don't say I didn't warn you if the boss puts his foot down."

"He won't." Trux said through gritted teeth, his gaze never leaving the man's face. He turned to the rest of the team, his eyes scanning each of them before finally settling on Rhiot. "You're the best fit for this. Can you keep an eye on Parker?"

"Of course." Rhiot replied, nodding in agreement.

"Good." Trux bit out, his voice tight with suppressed anger. "Now, let's get settled and figure out our next move."

As we continued down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and dread. While I was grateful for Trux and Rhiot's fierce protectiveness, I dreaded the potential consequences of one of them being close and witnessing the uncontrollable chaos that lurked within me… again. Or worse, putting themself between a guard and me if there was confrontation.

"Are you sure about this?" I whispered to Rhiot as we walked side by side.

"Absolutely," he replied without hesitation, his hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. "You're not alone in this, Parker. We'll find a way to control your powers without leaving you at their mercy."

Several minutes later, the heavy door closed behind us with an ominous thud. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. I paced the small meeting room, my heart pounding in my chest as I awaited the arrival of someone unknown. Our escort refused to share any details, nor did he answer any of my questions. The walls were deceptively normal, painted a sterile white, with a long meeting table and several black rolling chairs.

Rhiot leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as his gaze darted between the two entrances. I looked him over, taking in the intensity of his expression, the way his muscles bunched, ready to pounce if something or someone threatened me. He was bulkier than the others. Slightly shorter than Trux, Rhiot was still tall, but his bulky muscle gave him an imposing figure. Sure, Ryker was significantly taller, but he was so much leaner than the others that it took his intimidation factor down a few notches. If it wasn't for Trux's asshole alpha vibe, Rhiot could easily be the scariest of the group.

They were all sexy as sin. I wasn't sure if it was the Tsigo call or my lust demon parentage, but every time I looked at one of them for too long, I felt the need to jump their bones. I should be focused on the current situation, but all I could think about was climbing Rhiot like a tree.

A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself as it opened. A tall, lethal looking woman stood in the hallway. Her raven-black hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and her piercing green eyes seemed to bore straight into my soul. She wore a fitted black suit that gave her an air of authority.

Nix that. Not attractive to me in the slightest, so it had to be the pull from being Tsigos.

"Miss Hansley," she greeted me coolly. "I am Evelyn Blackwood, your trainer for the duration of your stay here." Her gaze swept over me, seeming to take in every detail. "I understand you have some... unique abilities that require special attention."

"Y-yes." I stammered, feeling exposed under her intense scrutiny.

"Good. Before we begin your training, I would like to give you a tour of the facility. Alone." She glanced pointedly at where Rhiot stood watching us warily. "I believe it is essential for us to establish trust between us, without any distractions."

"Never fucking happening." Rhiot snarled the words even though he didn't move from where he leaned casually against the wall.

She tsked, the harsh glare of the lights sliding along her perfectly tight bun. "Hardly necessary to be rude, Mr. Arison."

Rhiot used his foot to push off the wall as he stalked over to us. "Never fucking happening, Ms. Blackwood."

"Better, but still unnecessary." She crossed her hands over her hips as she held onto a tablet.

Rhiot glared at her while she watched him with a stern, unyielding gaze. A prickling sensation slid through my scalp as they locked wills, both of them refusing to back down.

When I opened my mouth to speak, Evelyn raised a single finger, silencing me before I could get the first word out. They continued like that for an eternity. I was on the verge of bolting from the room when Evelyn broke the silence. "Are you quite finished, Mr. Arison?"

"She's not going with you alone." Rhiot wrapped his arm around my waist to punctuate his point.

Evelyn let out a soft sigh. "I'm very disappointed in you. When you came through your training, you were much more hospitable than now. What changed?"

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I'd suspected that something bad happened while the team had trained here, especially with how Ryker had reacted, but no one had clued me in on that.

Rhiot pulled me behind him as he replied. "You know damn well what happened to me… to all of us. That won't happen to Parker."

My gaze burrowed into the back of his head as I tried to read his mind. Nothing came through. Maybe if we'd mated, I'd be able to pick up on a clue, but right now, I had nothing.

Evelyn tilted her head, reading something about him before she spoke again. "We've updated our policies and procedures since your team came through. I can assure you that nothing like that will ever happen again."

"Prove it."

Her gaze shifted to me. "I will as soon as you give me a chance. We let you come back with the team, even though that's strictly prohibited. It's called compromise."

Rhiot snorted.

"You're welcome to stay here and inspect her on our return."

"How long will the tour take?" We weren't getting anywhere like this.

Instead of Evelyn, it was Rhiot who spoke. "Unless they've changed the floor plan since the last time I was here, the tour will be about twenty minutes. That's taking into account the fifteen minutes it would take to see the top secret areas, but something tells me they're not willing to show you those areas."

I laid my hand on Rhiot's shoulder as I stepped around him. "It's just a tour. Besides, you can wait here for me."

The look in Rhiot's eyes confirmed I shouldn't trust Evelyn, but I wasn't sure what else I could do to resolve this situation. After several long seconds, Rhiot gave in. "Fine, but if anything happens to her, this is the last time we leave her alone, even for a second."