Chapter 5 - The interrogation

The safehouse smelled like bleach and blood.

I knew that smell, it meant someone had tried to clean up a mess but had not been fast enough, my hands were bound behind my back with zip ties that bit into my skin, but i did not struggle, struggling only made it worse and I was expecting this.

Two task force agents flanked me as they shoved me into the interrogation room, fluorescent lights buzzed, overhead is steel table, two chairs one-way mirror I knew was fake, this room had no glass.

Kael Rourke was already inside.

He stood when I was forced into the chair and for a second I just stared.

S-CLass Alpha, tall, broad, military posture.

Black tactical gear, no insignia, his face was carved like a Stone, sharp cheekbones, scar cutting through his left brow, eyes the color of a Storm cloud.

He looked like a man who would never lost control in his life.

"Leave us", he said to the agent, voice flat, commanding. They hesitated.

"Now", he repeated.

The door clicked shut.

Kael did not sit, he cycled me once, slow like a predator sizing up prey, I kept my face blank, Beta Kade didn't fear Alpha's,Beta Kade didn't care.

"Rian Kade or should I call you Beta Kade?".

I said nothing.

"You have been busy", he continued. "Three IDs, four safe houses, two years off the grid, that's impressive for an unregistered Enigma.

My stomach dropped, he knew.

"So what now?, you drag me to a lab?, cut me open to see what makes me thick?". I asked voice steady.

Kael stopped in front of me, his scent hit me, then cold metal, ozone and something underneath that made my instincts scream danger.

"I don't want to hurt you" he said.

"Liar"

His Jaw tightened. "I don't but I will if you make me".

The door opened again. Theo was dragged in, my breath caught. His face was bruised, lip split, shirt torn, he looked smaller than I remember, trembling but still standing, when he saw me his eyes widened.

"Rian_"

"Shut up, one of the agents snapped, shoving him to his knees beside me.

Kael's expression did not change but something flickered in his eyes. Regret? Anger? I could not tell.

"Last chance, register yourself, give me the names of your contacts, I will make sure Theo gets medical care". Kael said to me.

"And if I say no".

"Then he doesn't".

I laughed, low and bitter. "You are good at this, using people against each other.

"I am good at keeping the city safe,Omegas and Enigmas who refuse to register I threat you know that". Kael said coldly.

"A threat to who?" I shot back. "To you? to your perfect order?.

Kael's fist clenched at his side for a second, I thought he would hit me instead he knelt in front of Theo.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, voice quieter now, almost gentle.

Theo did not answer, just stared at him like he was looking at a ghost.

Kael reached out, thumb brushing over Theo's split lip,Theo flinched.

"Do not touch me". he whispered.

Kael froze, for a long moment, no one moved,then tension in the room was suffocating.

Then Kael stood abruptly, turning away.

"Get them out of here ,put them in holding and no one touches them", he said to the agents.

"Sir?", one agent called, confuse, "the orders were_".

"I said no one touches them", his voice cracked like a whip.

The agents exchanged looks, then dragged Theo and me to our feet, as we were dragged out I caught Kael face, he looked furious and guilty.

Holding was a 6x8 cell with a concrete slab for a bed and a single over head light that never turned off.

Theo sat on the floor, knees pulled to his chest eyes closed, he didn't cry, he didn't speak.

I sat beside him back against the wall.

"You okay?" I asked, he didn't answer for a long time, he just said one word.

"Kael".

I frowned,"you know him?". Theo nodded slow.

"He was my handler before".

"You ran from him?", I asked. Theo nodded again, I didn't ask why, I didn't need to the bruises on his face said enough but I could not help it.

"Did he_", I stopped myself, I did not want to finish the sentence.

Theo shook his head. "Not then, but Kael let them do it because it was orders". he answered.

My jaw clenched, so Kael was not just the clean cut soldier, he had blood on his hands too.

"Rian, why did you come?". Theo asked suddenly.

"Because you are my friend", I said simply.

He looked at me for a moment, and for the first time since I had met him, I saw fear in his eyes.

"They are going to use us both to get to others",

"Let them try", I said and I meant it.

But deep down I knew the truth, that we are running out of time.

And somewhere above us Lucien Voss was probably tearing his penthouse apart trying to find me.