Ai's POV

A flicker of hope curls inside of me.

I sneak a glance at Cove, allowing my dimple to show. "It's hers. Where did you find it? Was it underground at this secret training place?"

He shrugs. "Honestly, I don't really remember where I picked that up. Could have been anywhere."

"But you said they're recruiting EVes? Shae is like us."

"Babe, we're so not the same. The agency weren't recruiting just any evolved. They wanted EVes like me, who won't be missed – wildcards, burnouts, runagates. Some of the recruits I spoke with were ex-Academy, but only a few. No elect with your fancy tattoos on display."

He motions his head, eyes on my neck, indicating to the exposed scar nestled there. "Looks like that hurt a lot?"

"Maybe you just didn't see her there?" I counter, ignoring his question.

"Ah... maybe, the operation's bigger than they were letting on. She may have been in another section. I didn't stick around for the tour."

"Do you at least know who was running it? You mentioned vipers?"

"Vipers and hybrids both by the looks of things."

"Any group in particular?"

"Not that I noticed."

Resisting the urge to thump him, I turn my attention back to Shae's cap, tracing my thumb over her name in red marker as though searching for clues. I had written mine in green, even though my cap was blue. We never wanted anything to match. Anything to be different and stand apart.

Even so.

Shae would do the same for me.

"I need to go there. I need you to take me there."

Cove looks at me like I'm insane and laughs, humor not quite reaching his features. "No way. I'm done with that place. I didn't leave through the front door, if you know what I mean. Why on earth do you think I'm hiding out here, serving myself up night after night? You're on your own sweetheart."

I glare at him. "So you're scared?"

Why do I always get stuck with quitters and cowards?

"Yes I'm petrified. And so would you be if your sister has been recruited. I hope for her sake she's not." He finishes his beer in one go, looking away.

My hope breaks away and floats off into the darkness. While I want to find my sister, the last thing I wish is for her to be caught up in something dangerous.

I sense Cove lean in, his shoulder against mine. He gives me a nudge. "If she was recruited straight from the Academy, it would have been for a reason. They want elite soldiers. They wouldn't damage her, not permanently."

I make a face. "That's reassuring.' I down the rest of my beer too, then eye the mini bar in search of something stronger. "What else is there to drink around here?"

"Hmmm whiskey or vodka maybe?" He stretches, putting his empty bottle on the table. "I could go get us a cocktail from bar?"

I glimpse at my com – 0 messages.

Cal. Where the hell are you?

"Sure why not." One more drink couldn't hurt. I put my bottle on the table next to his. It's not empty but I hate drinking dregs. "Those bite marks are disgusting by the way."

Cross snorts, a half smile caressing his lips, before pulling his shirt sleeves down to hide the scars. "Never took you for the squeamish type babe."

"If you call me that again-"

I don't finish.

The door handle turns, startling us both.

We freeze as it rattles against the lock.

Cove puts his fingers to his lips at me. As if he needs to remind me to be quiet. I roll my eyes and nod. Around the room there's nowhere to hide, not even on the balcony. But there might be a way down to the street on the other side of the far wall. I turn to Cove, to suggest we sneak outside, when the door handle jangles again, harder, against the slender lock.

This is not good.

"I thought you said this place was safe?!" I hiss at him.

I go to stand, but Cove takes me by the arm, pulling me down and under him, until I'm on the sofa lying beneath him, trapped. He's heavier than I thought he'd be; harder in places I wasn't expecting (upwards from the chest I mean). Strong hands pinning my wrists to my sides.

I try to breathe and try to move, but Cove is telling me to stop.

Like hell I will!

Then there's a loud click.

Suddenly Cove's mouth presses onto mine, stifling the scream starting to spawn in my lungs.

Automatically, my leg shifts, ready to knee the slime rat in the balls.

But the door swings open, and two of them walk in.

We stop struggling, both of us a tangle of limbs on the couch. Cove's eyes catch mine, two dark pools in the obstructed light. He mouths the word 'eyes' keeping his back to, and me hidden from, the newcomers. Prepared to bite him if he tries that trick again, I do as he says; tilting away to the far side, letting hair fall all over my face, seeing upholstery.

"And what do we have here? A little party?"

Cove shifts on top of me, giving me back some personal space but still shielding me. The angles of the sofa, my gun, and Cove's limbs sticking into me – makes this even more super awkward and uncomfortable. I can't see a blasted thing except for some faded stitching and the corner of Cove's arm-pit.

I twist my head a little, until I can at least see Cove and maybe a partial view of the others.

"Yeah but a party for two... some privacy maybe?" Says Cove, a smirk forming on his mouth while he looks up.

"It's just Cove." Says one.

"Cove, no shit, another one. How many is that tonight?" Both of them laugh. A tease of fang as they do. Cove at least has the decency to look embarrassed. I swear to myself I'm going to knee him in the balls for real after this.

"Come on guys... we were just getting to the good part."

I close my eyes, dying a small death with every moment. Cove is heavy and I'm slowly being squished. Just being so close to him is making me hot and not in a good way.

I move a little and Cove's grip tightens even more. The gun digs into my back.

"Ow." I say, reacting without thinking.

"Oh come on Cove, that's no way to treat a lady. Let her sit up, introduce us."

"You know the rules Cove, 'what's yours is also ours. Do you need a reminder?"

Cove lifts a little of his weight, moving slowly back to sitting position. The hybrids take this as an invitation to enter and stride across the room towards the end windows. I'm wide open and exposed. Even though the office is still dark, hybrids don't need light – their eyes, similar to any natural predator, are nocturnally blessed.

Without my would-be protector, I elbow my way upright, shoving sharply into Cove's ribcage. He jerks, but doesn't pull away.

"She's a feisty one isn't she?" Says one, the bigger one.

Cove shrugs, rubbing the spot where I hurt him. No longer seeming to be play charade. Half in disbelief he folded so quickly, I turn towards fang face, pulling the hair out of my eyes, and stare defiantly as I can.

Two can play at that game.

"Since I've paid already, doesn't he belong to me for the night?" I'm bluffing, obviously, taking a gamble Cove is actually selling himself to these blood suckers.

Cove shoots me a venomous look, cheeks reddening even in the low light. It's my turn to shrug.

He didn't need to say it out loud, nothing Outside is free. Those bites all over his arms and the little known fact hybrids prefer to take blood during the act - some sort of perversion – make it obvious.

The hybrid on the right, the taller one with short blond hair, bursts out laughing, his fangs flashing. He is leaning against the desk while the other with the dark ponytail roots around in the drawers, looking for something. It's too dark to tell much else.

"You're in for a treat. He's a wild one. Blood like a cotton candy, eh Cove?"

"Hmmm" Cove mumbles, brooding to himself.

"Oh yum, I can't wait." I say.

"Although, considering you're not a hybrid. That show would be interesting to see." The blond hybrid cocks his head, grinning.

"Isn't that a little speciest?" I'm frowning at him now. "Since when are sapiens not allowed to drink blood?"

"Some humans try but it's messy. I wouldn't want you to mutilate my prize possession now would I?" He pushes off the desk, coming closer. "Unless you want to trade for him? I bet your blood would be just as delectable."

Ponytail switches on the wall lamps, and light spills over the room throwing clarity and shadow. Clearly, they can see me now, eyes included.

Bite me. What do I do now?

I Look at Cove but he's just sitting there, useless. I'm going to throttle him if I ever get out of here alive. I consider my com or my gun tucked in my jeans. I'm going with the gun. Slowly, I reach behind me and feel for it.

"You looking for this?" Cove asks, brow raised.

He's holding my gun.

"Cove!" I'm about to say but you're on my side when he sneers at me. Clearly, he isn't. He stands up and walks over to the blond hybrid, handing it to him.

Traitor. I glare at Cove, willing him to drop dead.

***

Author's Note - 

[image credit to the warm-melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that is Lawrence Coke ♡]

Hope you're liking the turn of events 🙈

What do you think will happen next? Is Cove really betraying Ai?

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