She looks up from the petri dishes she’s preparing. “Andi, I’m glad you’re here. There’s fresh coffee if you want some.”

  “Thank you. I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure.” She walks away from the workstation, and her impractical-heeled shoes click as she comes toward me.

  I set my purse down on my desk and say, “I’ve decided I’m going to leave. I have enough savings to get me through the year, and I’d like to enjoy my last few months.”

  “How will I get everything done?”

  Way to show your compassion, Gina. I hold back my urge to say I don’t care. “I suppose you’ll have to hire someone, because I’m just too sick to work any longer.”

  She waves me off. “Never mind that. We’re about to fix you up anyway.” She walks over to the coffeemaker and pours a cup. Steam rises from the mug as she stirs in cream. “I’ve got men arriving tonight, and they’ll probably have a wolf or two for me tomorrow.”

  “What? I thought they weren’t coming for a few more days.” Oh god. I’ve got to get in touch with Mia.

  “Plans changed.” She frowns at me. “You do look pale.” She holds the coffee out to me. “Here, I bet the caffeine will make you feel better.”

  I take it and sip the hot liquid before I say, “Maybe I just need food.” I can’t get out of here fast enough to make a call. I say, “I’m going to go get a snack at the cafe.”

  “Wait. Before you go can I ask you to read something over for me?”

  Since when did Dr. Sand value my opinion? But if I bolt out of here she’ll get suspicious, so I say, “Sure.”

  Paper flutters as she hands it to me. She says, “I’m not going to accept your resignation until we have a chance to test our theory.”

  “Okay, but I have to tell you, all I want to do lately is sleep. I won’t be much help.”

  “I have a really good feeling about this.” She glances at my coffee. “But until then, caffeine.”

  I read the form letter she gave me, and I take another swallow of my coffee to hide the fact that I’m trying not to tap my foot with the urge to get out of here and call Mia. I’m not sure what Dr. Sand’s after, because the note is pretty standard for an equipment request, and I ask, “What did you want to know about this?”

  “I was thinking it’s kind of cold. Maybe we could make it more friendly?”

  I want to laugh at her, but I control it. “Right. Okay, but I really do need some food. I’ll take another look at this after I get back from the cafe.”

  I grab my purse and walk to the door, and the moment it shuts I move quickly down the hall. When I get outside I call Mia.

  “Hi, Andi.”

  “Hi.” I glance around campus to make sure nobody can overhear me, and I say, “It’s happening tomorrow.”

  “The men are already here?”

  “They’ll be here tonight.”

  “Got it. Thanks, Andi.”

  “You’re welcome.” I blink at the bright daylight. I really do need to eat, because now I’m lightheaded. I climb the steps to the student union slowly. When I get to the top a girl exits the building, and her form wavers in front of me. Oh, no. Stars float in my vision before all goes black.

  Eleven

  The stone surface is cold under my back as I gaze into a man’s face. He asks, “Hey. Dr. Thompson, right?”

  “Yes.” I sit up and sway at the sudden movement. I lift my feet and lower my head between my knees. Warmth spreads as something runs down my face. I touch it and discover the liquid is sticky. I’m bleeding. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m Don Snyder, Economics. I think we need to get you to the hospital. You hit your head pretty hard and might need stitches.”

  He hands me a gray sweatshirt. I frown, and pain sears at my forehead. I thought I knew everyone that worked here. He says, “Don’t worry about it. It’s old and ratty.” He grins as he says, “My wife would prefer it never come home anyway.”

  I dab at the blood over my eyebrow. “Thanks.” Footsteps on the granite stairs make me glance around and notice I’m making a scene.

  The hospital is only a block off campus, and Don says, “I can walk you over if you want.”

  Now I’m sure I’ve never seen this guy, and if I weren’t so dizzy, I’d refuse his help. “That would be great, thanks.”

  His grip is strong as he helps me stand. “I’m going to keep my arm around your waist and start some rumors, okay?”

  I chuckle. “You’ll do my reputation some good.” I recall saying the same thing to Esher last weekend.

  “Mine too. It’s not often I’m seen with a pretty girl.”

  When we get to the end of the sidewalk a black sedan is pulled up along the curb, and he says, “This is my car. I’ll drive you the rest of the way.”

  Warning bells go off in my head. When he lets go to open the door, I step back. “You know what, I can walk.” I glance around for someone to help.

  Don grabs my arm and slaps a hand over my mouth. Metallic flavor is on his palm as I try to bite him. The back door of the car opens, and someone yanks me inside. The moment my mouth is free I scream, but the sedan is already driving down the road, and I don’t think anybody heard my cry. I stop and reach for the handle with the hope I can jump out.

  The metal is cold in my hand as it flips, but the door must be locked, because it doesn’t open. I punch my finger at the window button. Don is calmly sitting next to me, and he says, “Relax. You’re not going anywhere we don’t want you to go.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  The driver chuckles and says, “To see your precious wolves.”

  Ice runs through my veins when I realize these guys must be the ones Dr. Sand hired. Have they already captured one? I decide it’s in my best interest to play dumb. “Why would you kidnap me to do that? I’m part of the research.”

  “Yes, you are. But Dr. Sand thought you might not be so willing without a bit of persuasion.”

  I shake my head. “This is crazy. Why wouldn’t I be willing? I want to live, and if werewolf blood can save me, I’m all for it.”

  Don says, “Well then, sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  I lean back and do my best to appear calm. “Where are we going? Did Dr. Sand find a suitable facility?”

  “Oh, yes. Although the accommodations are a bit rustic.” The driver laughs at Don again, and I frown as I wait to find out just how screwed I really am.

  Gravel crunches under the wheels of the car as we pull into a large parking lot. The buildings are industrial looking, with concrete walls painted various pale shades and galvanized steel roofs. The driver gets out and opens my door. He doesn’t help me out, and when I stand I get a good look at the guy. While Don is slender, this man has the thick neck and arms one would expect on a bouncer. He’s in a suit that makes me think of the TV version of CIA. I smile at him.

  He glares at me in return. I’m still playing dumb, so I raise my eyebrows at Don as if to say, “What’s up with him?” The three of us walk across the gray gravel toward a light-green building. The driver places his hand on a screen, and the metal door swings open automatically. I say, “That’s pretty high tech for around here. Nice.”

  We enter the building, and the technology stops. A bare bulb lights our way as we walk down a hallway. The sound of our footsteps on the concrete echoes off the walls, and the scents of urine and feces become stronger as we get farther along. Tiny hairs raise up along my body as adrenaline floods my veins. I’m not sure I want to see what’s around the corner.

  We turn left at the end of the hall and walk past bars that make me think of prison cells, but it’s too dark for me to see what is in the rooms. I guess that’s where the odor is coming from. At the end of the hallway, the driver places his hand on another reader to open the next windowless door. A buzzer sounds, and this time we enter a white room that appears sterile. The light is so bright that I squint as I glance around. It reminds me of an operating room, and I discover two tables with restraints are set beside each under what look like surgery lamps. This space is cold, and I wrap my arms around myself as I say, “It looks like you’ve got a nice setup here.” I wander over to the tables and walk around them as the driver stands like a guard by the door.

  The leather of a restraint is smooth under my fingers when I touch it, and Don asks, “Like being tied up, do you?”

  He and the driver both snicker, and I know the game is over. I ask, “Why am I really here?”

  A door from across the room opens, and Dr. Sand comes in. “Andi. How nice of you to join us.” Any ounce of warmth she used to have in her voice is gone.

  I glare at her. “Care to tell me what’s going on?”

  She sighs as she walks toward me. Her heels click loudly as she approaches. “I know you and Mia Maybee discovered werewolves last spring, and you both sabotaged my grant.” She squints her eyes and spits out, “My career. You didn’t think I believed you would really agree to testing for me, did you?”

  I don’t reply, and she says, “No matter. You’re here now, and we’re going to discover the magic of werewolf blood together.”

  She does have a wolf. “You managed to catch one?”

  Dr. Sand smiles at me, and her bright-red lipstick reminds me of blood. “Yes. And I think you’re going to like the irony. Did you know Mia is now a werewolf?” She shakes her head. “What a scientist will do for research never ceases to amaze me.” She turns away from me and says, “She’s about to save you. Isn’t that grand?” She laughs, and the men join her, making me feel as if I’m in a horror movie.

  Dr. Sand says, “Don, Rafe, it’s time.”

  Fingers dig into my arms as the men grab me and drag me over to a table. At first I struggle, but I’m so weak, I realize it’s no use. I let them cuff my ankles and wrists to restrain me. Once they move away, I squirm to see what’s going on. Their feet clack as they walk away, and when the thud of the door sounds, I realize they’ve left me here, alone.

  It feels like hours before anyone returns, and I spend the time sorting out how I’m going to get away. I hope Mia had a chance to contact her alpha before she was taken. When Dr. Sand and the men do come back they have Mia with them. A strangled noise comes from her because she’s gagged, and her hands are bound behind her. I whisper, “Mia.”

  Her eyes are big, and she’s trembling with fear as her handcuffs release with a click. The men lift her and then drop her on the table. Her body thumps hard. I wince when I hear her groan as I imagine the pain. I say, “There’s no reason to hurt her.”

  Don says, “She’s a wolf. She hardly feels it.”

  Oh god. He has no regard for animals. I ask, “How do you know that? I’m her friend, and I’m pretty sure she’s human.”

  “We have our ways,” says Don. “Now shut up, or I’ll gag you too.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut to hold back tears. Esher. Will I see him again? The prick of a needle makes me flinch, and I glance down to find what appears to be an IV line stuck in my arm. I turn my head to watch what’s happening to Mia. Her blood flows through a line attached to her arm and into my vein. Warmth spreads as the fluid runs through my blood.

  I gaze into Mia’s eyes, and I mouth, “I’m sorry.”

  She shakes her head, and I wish I could figure out how to get us out of this. Because even if this cures my cancer, I fear for both our lives.

  Twelve

  I’m not sure how much blood Dr. Sand pumps into my body before she stops. But even though she appears to be done with me for the moment, the evil scientist is not done with Mia. When the second bag attached to Mia’s IV line is almost full, I glance over at her to discover she’s deathly pale. Oh, god. They’re going to bleed her dry. I say, “Don’t you think you should stop soon? You’re going to want to use her as a blood bank, right?”

  “Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?” hisses Dr. Sand.

  “Of course.” I offer a dry laugh. “I’m just curious. You know how we scientists are.”

  I get no reply but notice Dr. Sand has clipped the line to stop the flow coming from Mia. Hang on, Mia. Even if she didn’t manage to get in touch with anyone about the men being here, I know Esher will be worried about me when I don’t answer my texts. I hold on to the hope he’ll be able to save us.

  Dr. Sand hovers over me. “How do you feel?”

  I control the urge to spit in her face. “It’s hard to tell. My bladder is full, and I’m hungry. I don’t suppose I can go to the bathroom?”

  She huffs. “Fine. Rafe, escort her.”

  Great, like I have a prayer of escaping from tall, dark, and beastly. My restraints click open, and when my wrists are released I sit up slowly. After my ankles are free, Rafe yanks me to my feet, and I stumble along beside him as he moves quickly toward the bathroom with my arm in a grip that makes his strength apparent.

  I enter a small room and breathe a sigh of relief when Rafe lets me shut the door between us. Not that it does me any good, because the bathroom is windowless, with only a toilet and sink. The only thing that could be used as a weapon is the sandpaper-grade toilet paper.

  When I’m done, Rafe leads me to a desk, and I sit in an office chair. A bottle of juice and a granola bar thump on the surface when Don sets them down, and he says, “Dinner.”

  “Thanks.” I tear open the foil package and devour my meal. As I twist open the orange juice I say, “Delicious. I can’t wait for dessert.”

  Dr. Sand approaches me and scans me with her eyes. “Finish your drink, and we’ll draw some blood to see how you’re doing.”

  I nod and take a big swig from the bottle. Sweet citrus flavor floods my mouth, and I know the sugar will give me a little energy to make me feel better. Although, my fate is beginning to look a bit dour, because I don’t think Dr. Sand’s going to like what she finds.

  I glance over at the tables and discover Mia is still on hers with her eyes closed. I watch carefully for the rise and fall of her chest to determine if she’s still alive. She’s breathing, and it offers me a little comfort. I notice Mia’s hooked up to an IV with clear liquid, and I hope it means they’re hydrating her to help with the blood loss. If they plan to use Mia as a blood bank, they’ll need her to be healthy.

  While I’m unrestrained, I take in my surroundings as discreetly as I can. Dr. Sand has moved over to a couch, where she’s reading something on her phone. Since I doubt she has friends, I almost snort as I imagine she’s watching Vines of werewolves. Rafe and Don are by the door I entered and are discussing some sports team.

  There are three entrances to this room. I know the one that I came through is activated by a palm scanner, and I guess the door Dr. Sand came through opens to her office. I wonder where the third one leads, and if it could be breached easily. Esher, where are you?

  When my gaze returns to Mia, I discover her eyes are open. She winks at me, and my body tenses. I’m not sure what she’s trying to tell me, but I think it’s good news, and I’m on the alert. I finish off my juice and say, “Dr. Sand, I’m ready to be tested now.”

  Her phone clicks off, and she stands to say, “Right this way.” I follow her to the rolling cart near the table where I was restrained. I climb on as she gathers her equipment. I glance at Mia, and she blinks a few times quickly. I think she’s trying to tell me something. I decide to create a distraction just in case. I shift my position on the table so that my foot kicks Dr. Sand’s cart. Items crash to the floor, and Dr. Sand swears before she calls out, “Don, get over here.”

  A louder crash sounds as the third door explodes open and slams to the floor. A flash of fur streaks through as wolves invade the space. I spring into action and jump off my table to race over to Mia as a gunshot rings out, and screams from our captors fill the room. I don’t dare look as I fumble with the restraints holding my friend prisoner. Once she’s free she hops off the table, and I stare in amazement as fur begins to cover her body. The cloth gag in her mouth rips as it’s torn to shreds by her teeth, and in an instant, she’s become a wolf. She nudges me with her nose before she begins to run.

  I follow her, and we race through the broken door. Adrenaline is working in my favor, and I move as if I’m an athlete, as Mia the wolf leads me down a dark hallway. I stumble and cry out when I fall. My palms and knees burn, and a wet nose finds my face. I pant out, “I’m okay.” I scramble to stand up and keep running.

  No amount of fear can make me move quickly though, because I’ve injured my ankle, and I whimper in frustration. Mia howls when she realizes my plight. Within moments, the thudding sound of a gallop makes me glance over my shoulder to discover a wolf larger than any I’ve ever seen is behind me. He thrusts his head between my legs and knocks me off balance so I land in a sitting position on his back. Fur is slick in my hands as I grip it tightly when he takes off. The ride would be exciting if I weren’t afraid bullets were about to descend upon us.

  We exit through another broken door, and the wolf I’m riding approaches a large, expensive-looking pickup truck. I scream when he launches in the air, and every bone in my body rattles when we land in the truck bed. I tumble off his back and slam against metal as the tires squeal and we race away. The wolf lowers himself next to me, and the weight of his paws is heavy on my torso as he traps me as if he’s my seatbelt. I gaze into his eyes. They’re the same blue shade as Esher’s, and I reach up to stroke the side of the wolf’s face as I whisper, “Esher?”

  He dips his head and licks my face. His tongue is rough on my skin, and my tears burst free. I wrap my arms around his neck as he lays his head on my chest. The truck slows down, and we turn onto a dirt road. The bouncing jars my injured ankle, and pain radiates through my shin, but it’s trivial. I’m safe.

  When the vehicle stops, an odd noise that sounds a bit like crunching carries to me as I sit up. The wolf begins to lose his fur, and my jaw drops in awe as he morphs into the man I love. Esher crouches down and scoops me into his arms. “Andi, thank god you’re okay.”

  “You saved me.” I wrap my arms around his neck as he stands and carries me to the end of the truck bed.