Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

“Outside.” I instructed the guard.

He knew the procedure by now, opening the door and hovering within view as I headed for the figure curled in the bed. The drugs in the Daughters’ systems were waning and right now they were more susceptible than ever.

I gripped the tiny flashlight and moved through the motions, checking her vitals before starting the same questions I had before. “Who do you belong to?”

“You.” She whispered, looking up at me.

“And when instructed, what do you do?”

“Obey.”

I met her stare. “Who are you?”

Those dull eyes were lifeless as she answered. “Daughter.”

I stayed a while, pretending I cared as much about this one as I did the next. Only the act was just that…an act. I gave a slow nod, finished my questions, and rose. The next one was the one I needed,Helene.

“Next.” I commanded.

Doors locked. Footsteps thudded. But Riven was still standing there, with that same pale complexion and that same haunted stare, waiting for me as we neared her room. He looked like he was about to pass out. As the guard strode past him and unlocked Helene’s door, he turned.

“I’ll need an updated report.” Riven murmured, his tone hollow.

I gave a nod. “Of course.” Then I glanced at the guard and gave a jerk of my head. “You can wait out there.”

He flicked his gaze to Riven and shook his head. “You want to talk, then you talk here.”

What the fuck?Anger flared. Still, I swallowed it down and instead gave a careful nod. “If you insist.” I turned to my brother. “Several have elevated vitals. We pushed too hard to hit the markers. They require rest.”

Click.

Helene’s door opened. That same darkness waited.

“I’m not sure that’s an option.” Riven answered carefully. “Anymore.”

I cut him a glare before I turned my focus toward the room. But she wasn’t curled up in the bed like all the other Daughters had been. A quick scan of the room and I found her sitting on the floor in the corner.

“Helene?” I approached and knelt down in front of her. “Can you hear me?”

She lifted her unfocused gaze to mine.Shit.She looked bad…worse than the others. I checked the dilation of her pupils as Riven stood next to me.

“We might need to speed up the process.” He murmured.

I jerked my gaze to his, letting him see how pissed off that remark made me. “Speed it up?” I jerked my head to the woman we both cared about and hissed.“Do you want me to break her damn mind?”

Movement came through the doorway. The guard popped his head in, scanned us, then turned away. Riven waited until he was barely out of earshot before he moved, bending fast to grab my shirt and snarl in my ear. “They’re moving them in two fucking days. Two days and we lose her. You want to make sure she’s prepared.”

Two days?

Instantly, the warmth drained out of me .

I turned back to her. “It’s not enough time.”

“Then you’d better make sure it is.” Riven snarled, then jerked his gaze to her.

She turned to meet his stare and in a moment of weakness, Riven released his hold on my shirt and instead caressed her face.

“We’re right here, Trouble.” He murmured, his tone husky. “We’re going to do everything we can to protect you.”