“At what cost?”

  The empty blackness that came into her eyes sent a chill up his spine. “I will sacrifice every one of your kind if I have to.”

  “You’re a disgrace to your profession, and your species,” Sloane said. He wasn’t going to get through to her, not that he thought he would. She’d been working with Vaughan after all, performing experiments on Therians, not caring when it led to their deaths. How many had she killed in the name of Human evolution?

  She glared fiery daggers at him. “Kill him.”

  Sloane held his arms out and pouted. “Aw, I’m sorry, but your boss wants me alive.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Give me the case, surrender, and I might let you live.” TIN wanted Reuter alive, and Sloane would do his best, but his priority was the virus. The kind of damage that thing could do was limitless. Keane’s voice came in over his earpiece.

  “I’m in the server room downloading all of Dr. Reuter’s research. I’ll wipe everything soon as I have it. We need that virus, Atlas.”

  “Copy that,” Sloane replied. He grinned at Dr. Reuter. “We’ve got your research. Hand over the case and come with me.” The guards shifted around her, moving closer to him. “They can’t protect you.”

  “But they can keep you busy long enough for me to get out of here.” She took off as the guards charged Sloane.

  Just because they couldn’t shoot him, didn’t mean they weren’t going to try to take him out. Sloane went for the biggest guys first, doing his best to block the blows coming at him from every direction. He protected his head, his vital organs, and knees, moving fast and striking hard. A couple of their blows landed, but he pushed through it.

  Taking down the guards took a little longer than Sloane would have liked, but as soon as he was done with them, he took off through the villa, following Dr. Reuter’s scent. She had to know she couldn’t get away from him. No matter where she ran or hid, he could find her.

  Where the hell was she going? She had to have a plan of escape. Vaughan’s lead scientist and the virus she carried were far too valuable to leave unprotected. Sloane tapped his earpiece. “K, I’m outside. Where’s the doc heading?”

  “One sec. Looks like there’s a small convoy of armored military vehicles heading your way. Heavy firepower.”

  “Shit. Okay. Thanks.” Sloane picked up his pace. He was going to have to cut Reuter off before the convoy reached her. The once peaceful landscape had become a war zone, the sound of gunfire filling the night, searchlights scanning the grounds, and TIN’s black helicopters thundered overhead. Sloane picked up shouting with his Therian hearing, but he kept on Dr. Reuter’s scent. She moved fast for a Human, but not fast enough.

  Sloane slipped into the trees, hurrying to keep the scent. Reuter had been smart, staying off the main road where she’d be exposed. The darkness wouldn’t impede his hunt in any way, but the trees would provide her with some cover. He was closing in on her when something hard slammed into him, knocking the wind out of him and sending him hard against a tree. The air rushed from his lungs, but he forced himself to move just as a fist landed against the tree where his head as been. He stumbled to one side and shook himself out of it.

  “Tanner,” Sloane growled.

  “I’m going to enjoy watching you die,” Tanner growled, his fists up in front of him.

  “Your boss won’t be very happy about that.”

  Tanner shrugged. “Accidents happen.”

  “How can you work for that guy? Vaughan thinks you’re nothing more than an animal. He kidnaps Therian kids and sells them off to be raped and abused.”

  “Not my problem,” Tanner snarled.

  Unlike the rest of Vaughan’s goons, Tanner clearly had advanced training. He launched himself at Sloane, showing a full range of close-quarter combat tactics. Sloane blocked the blows, but he was put through his paces. Tanner swiped a knife from his utility belt and swung it at Sloane, who avoided getting sliced. The guy didn’t just have a huge ass military-grade knife, he knew how to wield it, and like Sloane, he was ambidextrous, transferring the knife from one hand to the other to strike out at Sloane.

  “The convoy is getting close,” Keane told Sloane.

  “I’m a little busy,” Sloane said, his arm stinging at the thin gash where Tanner had gotten him. The guy grinned smugly.

  “We can’t let that virus disappear,” Seb added.

  “I’m working on it,” Sloane growled as he ducked under one of Tanner’s beefy fists. The guy came at Sloane with everything he had, roaring furiously as Sloane retaliated, ducking and striking at Tanner wherever he could.

  “Where are the rest of the kids?” Sloane demanded.

  Tanner’s toothy grin sent a chill through Sloane. “You’re too late. Vaughan’s already shipped them out of the country. You’ll never see them again.”

  “You son of a bitch.” Sloane caught Tanner’s thumb and cracked it, catching the knife when Tanner screamed and opened his hand. Sloane didn’t have time for this. He swapped the knife from hand to hand as he alternated between punching and slicing at Tanner.

  “You fuck,” Tanner snapped, only to have Sloane body slam him and send them both hurtling to the ground. They fought for control, Sloane getting in several good punches. Tanner grabbed a fistful of dirt, but this time Sloane was prepared, and he jabbed Tanner in the throat, knocking the wind out of him. As Tanner gasped, he reached for his gun, but Sloane swiped up the knife and stabbed it into the side of Tanner’s neck. Eyes huge, Tanner gargled, his hands closing around the knife before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he lay still.

  “Convoy incoming,” Keane shouted.

  Sloane took off, spotting Reuter just a few yards away from the first armored vehicle. She shouted and waved her arm at them, not seeing Sloane come up behind her. A shot hit the dirt next to her, and she jumped, turning in time to get knocked out by Sloane. Another shot kicked up the dirt to his left as he hurled Dr. Reuter over his shoulder and grabbed the case.

  “I’ve got Reuter. Heading back to the rendezvous point. Going to have a whole load of trouble on my ass,” Sloane shouted as he ran back toward the cover of the trees, a spray of machine-gun fire trailing behind him.

  “On our way,” Seb replied.

  Sloane did his best to shield himself from the bullets that followed him into the darkness, hitting the trees and ground around him. A bullet grazed his pant leg, but he kept going. The trucks wouldn’t be able to follow him, but the armed Therians in the trucks could. He had no idea how many were after him, but considering the virus in the case he carried, he’d guess another small army. They’d underestimated how much firepower Vaughan had. They had to get the hell out of here before the whole place blew.

  “We see you,” Seb said, appearing through the trees with several TIN tactical operatives. “Get the doc to the extraction point.”

  “Sloane, eighteen minutes,” Keane said.

  “Anyone see Dex?”

  “Negative,” Seb replied.

  Fuck. “Copy that.”

  Dex was going to make it. He had to.

  Sloane got to the rendezvous point near the mountains and the armored military vehicle waiting to get them the hell out of here. Ash climbed out of the driver’s side, Therian strength zip-ties in his hands. “I got her.” He secured her wrists and legs, then got her in the back of the vehicle.

  Sloane opened the case, relief washing over him. It contained the virus and what looked like the PSTC serum. He closed it and placed the case inside the truck.

  Sloane tapped his earpiece. “Chaos, do you copy?”

  No answer.

  “He’s gonna make it,” Ash reassured Sloane.

  “I know.” Sloane climbed into the passenger seat.

  “Incoming,” Keane yelled as he sped toward them. He jumped into the truck, followed by Rowan. Seb showed up with an army on his heels. He jumped into the driver’s seat, shouting behind him.

  “Buckle up, buttercup.”

  “You’ve been spending too much time around Dex,” Ash grumbled as he opened the roof hatch.

  “In that case, I should have called you Simba.”

  “Fuck off,” Ash growled, the booming of the roof machine gun exploding through the air.

  Seb got them moving as Ash cleared a path for them. They headed for the facility entrance where they were supposed to meet Dex. Rowan put a hand on Sloane’s arm, her amber eyes intense.

  “He’ll make it.”

  Sloane nodded and patted her hand, offering a reassuring smile. He had to believe Dex would make it, because the alternative was something he couldn’t even bear to think about. They didn’t have long.

  Dex, where are you?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Minutes.

  That was all Dex had before this place blew and the weight of the mountain landed on him, but he wasn’t leaving without dealing with Vaughan. He couldn’t let Vaughan escape to destroy any more lives. The bastard had done enough damage, leaving a trail of dead Therians wherever he went. How many bodies had he left discarded in his secret labs around the world? How many were missing their loved ones, never getting closure? No, Vaughan wasn’t getting away this time. Dex would make sure of it.

  Something shifted inside him, but Dex refused to think about it. He had no time to wonder what was happening to him or how his mutation had brought him one step closer to becoming something… else. How far had his mutation gone this time? Was he going to shift? Fuck, now was not the time. Vaughan was his objective. Vanquish the monster. Everything else had to wait.

  What if he was the monster?

  Okay, that certainly wasn’t helping. “Find the asshole,” he murmured to himself. His claws pierced his fingertips, darkness swirling inside him, urging him forward. The lights in the facility had gone from bright white to pulsing red, warning of the impending detonation. Dex’s senses had never been more heightened, and although he feared the new presence inside him, he wouldn’t allow himself to think about what it could mean. Focus.

  Dex dealt with the few armed guards that remained. There weren’t many, only enough to slow him down, but not enough for him to lose Vaughan’s scent. His eyesight was sharp in the dim lighting, far sharper than Vaughan’s. What was Vaughan planning? The guy should have been heading straight for the exit, but he was doubling back toward the lab. Why? He seemed to be searching for something, his scent lingering in different rooms here and there. If Reuter had the virus, what else could Vaughan be after?

  The son of a bitch was sneaky, so Dex had to be careful. He sniffed the air. He was close by. Dex didn’t just smell him, he sensed him. He could feel his presence, like an uncomfortable itch he couldn’t scratch. Everything was brighter, louder, every sensation almost too intense.

  Move!

  Dex didn’t question the voice in his head. He jumped out of the way as the door to his right slammed open and someone lunged at him. Vaughan landed where Dex had been standing, syringe in hand. Did the fucker really think he could sneak up on Dex and shoot him up with who knew what?

  “Why?” Dex growled. “Why kill them?” It made no sense. Vaughan had originally wanted both Kenley and Cory, along with all the other young Therians.

  The evil grin that slipped onto Vaughan’s face sent a chill through Dex. “Because you wanted to save them.”

  Dex couldn’t help flinching. “You son of a bitch.”

  Vaughan laughed and lowered the syringe. “Ramos was quite ruthless with him. Used and abused him, beat him, chained him in his yard like the animal he was. He wanted to believe you so desperately, but he was scared. Terrified to get his hopes up only to have them dashed yet again. Poor little Kenley.”

  “Don’t say his name,” Dex spat out.

  Vaughan looked delighted. “I suspected, but I never imagined… Incredible. Look at your eyes, and… are those rosettes under your skin? Fascinating.”

  “Not as fascinating as watching you get thrown into a black hole where no one will ever find you.” Dex took a step forward, and Vaughan fired. Pain flared through Dex’s shoulder. He flinched at the burning tightness in his shoulder and put a hand to it. Dex hissed at the sudden sharp pain, and he stopped himself from doubling over. Fangs bared and claws unsheathed, Dex growled as he used one of his claws to dig out the bullet. He flicked it at Vaughan, the metal landing at the man’s feet. Dex’s wound gradually closing until only a barely-there mark remained.

  “What the…?” Vaughan met Dex’s gaze, a mixture of disbelief and awe coming across his features. “What kind of animal are you?”

  Animal.

  What part of him remained Human? His DNA was part jaguar Therian, but not even Sloane had ever dug a bullet out of himself with his claws. He sure as hell had never healed that fast. Something inside Dex shifted, stalked, paced, and Dex closed his eyes. He shook his head, trying to get ahold of himself. Now was not the time to lose his shit.

  “Who else knows about me?” Dex demanded.

  “Are you kidding? Do you think I’d share what information I discovered with anyone? You’re far more valuable to me than any of those pathetic little Therians. With you and the virus in my possession, I’ll not only change the course of Human history, but I’ll inherit the traits of one of the fiercest felid Therians alive.”

  Vaughan wanted to inherit Sloane’s jaguar Therian DNA.

  “Never going to fucking happen.” Rage coursed through Dex, and with a roar, he lunged forward, darting out of the way when Vaughan took another shot at him. Reaching Vaughan, Dex made a grab for him when an explosion rocked the facility, momentarily catching Dex off guard and sending them stumbling against the wall. Vaughan took off as another explosion shook the place. Shit, it had started. He had to end this. Now.

  Dex took off after Vaughan, ducking and diving out of the way as Vaughan fired haphazardly at him, the needle nowhere in sight. The guy must have dropped it when the last explosion hit. Just because Dex had dug a bullet out of himself and promptly healed did not mean he was about to invite any more holes. For all he knew, it could have been a fluke. He had no idea how that was, but this was no time to test any theories.

  The facility crumbled around them, sparks flying from torn wiring, shards of glass raining down from bursting fluorescent lights while pieces of the roof dropped from overhead, bringing pieces of the mountain rock with it. Vaughan ran for the corridor that led toward the base of the mountain. No doubt someone waited to pick him up.

  A bullet grazed Dex’s side and he roared at the sting. His body thrummed with movement, his insides on fire. He ignored the scent of burning flesh and smoke. Fire alarms blared as another explosion caused a burst pipe somewhere behind him, sending steam gushing into the corridor.

  Let me out!

  The words terrified Dex. He shook his head. “No.”

  Let. Me. Out.

  Dex shook his head as he ran. “I can do this without you.” What the fuck was he saying? Without who? There was no one else inside his head but him. This was insane.

  Set me free.

  Was he losing his mind? Sloane’s inner jaguar didn’t talk to him. Did it? Of course it didn’t because it was Sloane. Wait, Dex didn’t have an inner jaguar. This had to be a hallucination or stress. That’s what it was. Cory getting hurt and possibly dying, Vaughan killing Kenley, the kidnapped Therians, this mission, it was all fucking with him. He didn’t have an inner jaguar Therian because he wasn’t a Therian. He was still Human.

  No. You’re not.

  Dex gritted his teeth and ignored the voice, his focus on Vaughan, who’d barely avoided getting knocked out by a piece of the ceiling as he made a sharp right down another corridor.

  It’s inevitable.

  “Shut up,” Dex ground out through his teeth.

  You’ll set me free. It’s only a matter of time.

  Another explosion made the world tremble and a slab of ceiling hit the floor in front of Vaughan, giving Dex the chance to lunge at him and take him down. They rolled on the floor, Vaughan trying to shoot Dex. With a snarl, Dex grabbed Vaughan’s gun and crushed it in his palms, denting the metal. Vaughan’s eyes went huge.

  “What the hell are you?”

  Dex was about to drag Vaughan with him to their feet when the ceiling collapsed, a chunk of concrete hitting Dex on the back. He cried out as he was slammed against the floor. Vaughan scrambled to his feet, backing away from him.

  “Incredible.”

  With a roar, Dex pushed against the heavy slab, but he couldn’t get it off. More chunks of ceiling fell around him, dust and dirt choking him and making him cough.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t let you die. You’re the answer to everything. I’m taking you with me.”

  “Not going to fucking happen,” Dex growled, his muscles straining as he pushed against the floor. He had to get out from under this. Vaughan scanned the corridor, then hurried off toward one of the open rooms. Shit. That couldn’t be good.

  Let me out.

  “Again with that shit? No. Fuck off.” The heavy concrete should have crushed him under its weight, instead, he pushed against the floor again with all his strength. The slab shifted, but he wasn’t strong enough to get it off.

  Vaughan emerged at the end of the corridor, loading what looked like a tranq gun in his hand. Fuck. He couldn’t let Vaughan tranq him. If Vaughan managed to get his hands on Dex, who the hell knew where Dex would end up. Fuck if he was going to be some asshole’s lab experiment. He’d had enough of bastards like Vaughan.

  Let. Me. Out.

  Closing his eyes, Dex pressed his brow to the floor. Fuck. Fuck! He nodded and released a shaky breath. “Okay.”

  Then he let go.

  Dex allowed himself to fall, plunging deep into the darkness, nothing but pitch-black around him. He should have been scared of where he’d end up, but a strange presence reassured him, offering an unfamiliar comfort. Something pulsed through him, and it was like he’d jolted away, but he wasn’t in control anymore, like he was in the back seat of a car looking out the front.