Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Rich brown eyes with a green outer ring as vibrant as peat moss gazed down on him, paralyzing his movements and stealing his breath.
The bird started to descend, its massive wings cutting through the stormy clouds. Oakley’s instinct was to holler and take cover, but his body defied his logic. The shadow of the bird grew larger as it got closer.
And with ground-shaking force, it landed on top of him and dug its large talons into his chest.
Oakley gasped and shot upright in bed, yanking at his restraints, his throat burning with a growl that rumbled up from the pit of his stomach.
Dammit.
He’d been having the same dream for weeks.
He stared down at where the claws had dug into his flesh. Oakley struggled to catch his breath, still reeling from the rush of the bird’s power and violence. Somehow, this creature’s energy was having a controlling effect on him, as he all of a sudden had the urge to hunt, fight, and kill.
He felt part man, part beast, and he could sense the raptor’s influence in his mind.
Black birds symbolized danger. They were mediators between the world of the living and the dead and often appeared in dreams to relay messages.
How the hell do I know that? Oakley scowled, shaking his head as if it would dislodge the lost parts of himself. I gotta get out of this fuckin’ place.
At least he no longer experienced the intense pain when the doctors, scientists, whatever they were, came to administer the intravenous medications. Dare he say he almost looked forward to it.
Each new dose gave him a clearer mind, sharper sight, and exceptional hearing. But unfortunately, it wasn’t bringing back his memory. It wasn’t lessening his sense of loss or telling him who he’d lost.
Maybe it was his family.
Do I have family? Fuck. What if I’m married?
He lay there in the dark, staring at nothing and everything. He closed his eyes because sometimes it freaked him out how much he could see when the lights were off versus when they were on.
He didn’t know how many hours had passed or if it was day or night—his room didn’t have windows or clocks—and since he rarely got tired or needed to rest, he couldn’t be certain.
Oakley cocked his head to the side. He could hear people approaching—four distinct pairs of footsteps coming down the hall. Three of them were cautious and the other walked with purpose…authority.
Without much force, he made his body go slack and slowed his breathing almost to a halt as he feigned being under sedation.
His senses were sharper than a blade, but he’d learned that playing the part of a compliant subject kept him from receiving extra doses of whatever was being flooded into his system, followed by additional hours of testing.
The door eased open and the air shifted when the people stepped inside. He could hear the soft rustling of papers, stuttered breaths, the light tapping on a keyboard, machines whirring…and a beetle crawling up the wall in the corner.
The first to speak was a woman, her voice hesitant and laced with fear. “Director Ross, I’m afraid to report that the consensus among the staff is we need more time. Both candidates’ neurological patterns are far from stable.”
A male voice Oakley had become familiar with, a gene mutation expert, chimed in, “The genetic splicing between human and animal DNA is far more complex than I’ve anticipated. As I’ve mentioned multiple times, these experiments have gone far beyond the scope of my research. The psychological impact—”
“I don’t give a fuck about the psychological impact,” the powerful man snapped, his tone cold and finite. “I want them elevated to phase two and introduced to each other. They are ready for that, yes?”
It was more a command than a question.
Oakley focused on the word they. If he didn’t have such control, he would’ve tensed. This director was talking about him and someone else. A ghost of familiarity flickered at the edges of his mind but faded before he could lock on to it.
Another man cleared his throat. “Zorion has been responding very well. His reflexes are beyond what we projected, but to put him within Valor’s territory could—”
Who are Zorion and Valor?
“Just fuckin’ do it!”
The woman had more assuredness this time, sounding angry and frustrated. “The cat and bird are natural enemies. Introducing them before they’re fully integrated with their animal spirit can and will be problematic.” She sighed loudly. “Now, if you can, please be patient and—”
“There is no time, and I sure as hell don’t have any patience,” the man said flatly. “Start phase two now. If they can’t follow commands, they’re useless to me. I already have a set of Ravens who act of their own volition.”
“But, sir…”
“I just need two goddamn Ravens I can trust! Is that so much to ask?”