Primal Instinct

by Ally Parker

  Those sick sons of a bitches were going to pay. Kenzie swallowed down her emotions and held out her palms. “I’m not going to hurt you.” She glanced at the lock on the door. “I’m going to try and get you out of here, okay? Then we can try and find your mom.”

  The child’s wide eyes stared at Kenzie, unblinking. She bit her lip as if gauging whether she could trust Kenzie. Talking low and gentle, Kenzie said, “My name is Mackenzie, but everyone calls me Kenzie. What’s your name?”

  The child’s bottom lip trembled, and Kenzie could tell she wanted to trust her but fear held her back. The little girl gave her a once-over. “Are you a doctor?”

  Kenzie grimaced. “Not exactly.” She shook her head and Kenzie chose her words carefully. “I’m just like you. I’m trying to get out of this place.”

  “Why are you wearing a doctor coat?”

  Right. No wonder the child had the fear of God shining in her eyes. “You know how I said I’m trying to get outta here too? Well, I’m pretending I work here so no one notices what I’m doing.”

  The little girl took a shuddering breath, whispering, “My name is Milly.”

  “Milly,” Kenzie echoed. “What a pretty name. How about we get you out of there, huh?”

  “And find my mommy and daddy?”

  Kenzie eyes widened, and she nodded. These people held both of her parents. She’d known she was dealing with monsters, but finding a kid in a cage was a new kind of low, even for Delmac. If there was a way, she would help reunite Milly with her parents. “I’ll do my best.”

  Milly’s small hand swiped at the tears, smudging dirt over the few freckles across her nose. A horrible thought popped into Kenzie’s head. What if her parents were already in the room, somewhere tangled in the mass of murdered bodies?

  “We need to find something to bust the lock with.” Lots of cages on either side of the wall filled the area, but nothing she could use to break the lock. Maybe she could find something in the incinerator room. Bracing her palms on her knees, she levered herself up. Milly slid to the cage door, wrapping her hands around the bars. “Don’t leave me!”

  Damn it if that plea didn’t make her heart clench. She reached down and clasped her hand over Milly’s. “I’m not going anywhere. I need to find something to smash the lock off with.”

  The card reader outside the door beeped. Holding her finger up to her lips, she whispered. “Stay quiet.” Her grip squeezed Milly’s. “Whatever happens, know that I’ll come back, okay?” Kenzie let go, and Milly scooted until her back hit the rear of the cage.

  Kenzie crept forward. Her eyes scanned the area for weapons. Her vision honed in on a large metal poker leaning on the wall near the incinerator. Bingo! Rushing forward, she gripped the metal, the heat seeping into her palms, and spun in time to see one of the guards. Stanley. He pushed a bed trolley into the room with a dead man on it.

  Her eyes shot back to Stanley, and he jerked to a stop.

  She froze.

  He froze.

  “You,” he snarled.

  She smiled and took her position. This time she was prepared and armed. Stanley thrust the bed toward her. She scooted to the left, and it crashed into the pile of bodies. He dove toward her, and she swung the iron. Like a professional baseball player, she scored, hitting him across the ribs. He grunted, nosediving for the floor. She swung again. His hand shot up, catching the iron. He yanked it from her hand and threw it across the room with a clatter.

  Blood roared in her ears, and she knew she might not be able to live up to the promises she’d just made Milly. Stanley hefted himself up and staggered forward. Kenzie shot a look toward Milly and back to Stanley. On one hand she didn’t want to leave her, but on other hand, she had to survive to be able to help.

  Crouched over, Stanley hugged his ribs. She darted past him to the door. She heard Stanley move. Her heart thudded. If he got his hands on her, she knew without a doubt, he’d enjoy teaching her a lesson. It had been written all over the evil glint in his eyes. A hand curled into her hair and yanked. Head bowing, she staggered back against the wall of dead people. Bile burned in her throat, and she scurried away.

  Stanley coughed. The glint of the metal rod caught her attention on the opposite side of the room. Fear shot out from her body and rooted her to the ground. Damn it, why wouldn’t her legs move?

  The guard’s posture stooped, and his hand guarded his ribs. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

  She licked her lips. “What you’re doing here is wrong, you must know that. These are human beings you’re killing.”

  He laughed. “These people are the degenerates of society. Drug users and bums after a quick buck. We should be thanked for cleaning up the filth that litter every corner of our neighborhoods.”

  Her eyes narrowed. Sometimes, life wasn’t so cut and dried. Sometimes, you had fathers that didn’t stick around and mothers who were so high they didn’t know they had kids. Which meant sometimes, people did what they had to do in order to survive. Her body shook. “Who the hell gave you the right to be judge, jury, and executioner to these people?”

  He stalked forward. If he managed to get hold of her, it would be bad. His sheer size would overpower her in minutes.

  “As a matter of fact, here in this little kingdom, my say pulls a lot of weight. You’ll find out for yourself soon enough.”

  He lunged, and she ran to the right, sprinting across the room. She turned the handle and wrenched the door back, took two steps, and slammed into the torso of another guard. His vise-like grip held her in place. Seconds later the door banged open, and the man holding her looked at Stanley over her head. “Lost something, eh?”

  Stanley grunted. “Hand her over, Glen. Dr. LeRoy wants the bitch. Don’t know why. She’s more trouble than her worth, if you ask me.”

  Glen shrugged and did as commanded. “She’s your problem, then. I’ve got enough to deal with. I have to get to another red alert.”

  The sound of wheels whistled, and a woman in a lab coat pushed a medical bed past, not fazed by two guards manhandling her. She supposed scenes like this must have been pretty run-of-the-mill occurrences in Delmac. As the technician walked past, Kenzie saw a female strapped to the bed, her brown, matted hair clumped over the edge of the trolley, and she moaned.

  “Whatever this is, you will never get away with it.”

  Stanley tightened his hold on her and dipped his head, whispering. “You won’t be so tough once you see what the doctor has planned for you.”

  Her eyes widened, and she tried to hold back the note of fear in her voice. “Why are you doing this?”

  Stanley shoved her forward, ignoring her question. “Walk, or I’ll taser you. You’ll be knocked out, and you won’t be able to defend yourself for what’s coming.”

  The threat sounded ominous, flaming the fear already laced in her blood. He pushed her again, and this time she walked down the corridor, taking notice of the surroundings. The yellow blinking lights still swirled above every fifth door, and she used them as a guide to get back to Milly, if she could somehow escape.

  They had passed three beacons, and Stanley shoved her to the left. He swiped a card, and an air lock blew on them as the door opened. As soon as she stepped through the entrance the sounds of an enraged animal filled the air. Her steps faltered, and her stomach flip-flopped. The noise sounded far too similar to the wolf in the woods. What the hell was that?

  Approaching a door, Stanley chuckled. He was definitely enjoying seeing her squirm. Sick bastard. Stanley swiped his card, the door opened, and he shoved her hard enough she landed on all fours in a room. He stood in the doorway, arms crossed. “I have to admit, I’m going to enjoy this.” His head kicked to the left. “I’ll be watching.” Stanley’s voice deadpanned in a way that told her this wasn’t the first time he had run through the lines. “Delmac Enterprises thanks you for your sacrifice and assures you it’s for the greater good of humanity.”

  Sacrifice? Greater good? That was
rich. Picking herself off the ground, Kenzie glared at the closed door. Growls echoed into the room and vibrated all the way down to her bones. They sounded terrifying, and a knot formed in her gut. “Bastard,” she hissed

  She spun around to find a barren room, and wished she hadn’t. What would have been white tiles hung from ceiling to the floor; blood splatters and smears covered it all. Alone in the middle of the room sat a silver drain looking as small and insignificant as she felt. She struggled to swallow. Vibrations filled the air and pushed against her skin. Her gaze darted to the wall separating her from the next room and noticed a door there. That didn’t look good.

  Not at all. Because she was sure the snarling beast was behind the barrier.

  A feminine voice cleared her throat, and Kenzie jerked her attention to a large television mounted on the opposite wall. Doctor LeRoy filled the screen. “Mackenzie Sutton, thank you for joining us here. Over the time we’ve spent together, you and your sister have been very difficult colleagues.” She waggled a finger toward her. “I’ve had nothing but issues with you, and at times it’s forced me to use unsavory methods to gain compliance.” She tapped her chin. “What are we to do with you?”

  Kenzie’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t respond. What was the point? The doctor was running a narrative, and no matter what Kenzie said, it would read the way the doctor wanted it to. Doctor LeRoy picked up a pendant hanging around her neck and began to slide it back and forth. “I apologize for your unorthodox invitation to Delmac. We are on the verge of a breakthrough, and we need a healthy volunteer to help us fine-tune processes. I’m please to inform you, you have been selected.”

  Kenzie snorted and shook her head. Funny. The only thing it looked like these people were on a verge of was losing all of their humanity. Had Ava stood in this very spot, hearing the same spiel, feeling the same terror that filled every square of her body? She needed to know. “Now that I can no longer be a danger to your plans, tell me. Is Ava alive?”

  A thoughtful look passed over the doctor’s face. “Time can only tell.”

  What the hell did that mean?

  Doctor LeRoy dropped the pendant and stepped closer to the screen. What looked like true remorse filled her face. “I am sorry it has to be this way.”

  The screen turned black.

  “What way?” she yelled. “What are you talking about? Just let me go!”

  A growl of frustration slipped out. The television flickered back on. Instead of the doctor filling the screen, this time a small woman huddled in the corner of a room similar to what Kenzie stood in, only less bloody. Instantly, she knew the woman was Milly’s mom. The resemblance was undeniable. Air whooshed behind her, and a menacing growl drowned out everything else. Fear coursed through her body, setting her hair on edge. She closed her eyes and licked her dry lips.

  Almost too afraid to look, Kenzie, inch by inch, spun to face a giant wolf. It was just as big as the wolf she’d seen in the woods. Monstrous green eyes glowed in contrast to the mask of black fur along the muzzle and running straight down its back to the very tip of the tail. The wolf’s thick legs moved closer. Its head lifted, and he smelled the air, curling his lip, showcasing long, razor-sharp teeth glinting with saliva.

  And damn it, he looked hungry.

  5

  Kenzie swallowed down her fear and held up her hands. Keeping her movements slow, she took a step back. “Easy there.”

  The wolf growled, and she froze. She was going to die. It was as simple as that. She’d barely escaped her last altercation with a wolf, and she’d been armed. In a place like Delmac, she doubted anyone would be coming to intervene.

  In slow motion, she took another step back. Her foot slipped in blood, but she managed to remain upright. When the wolf didn’t move, she eased back another step. The distance did nothing to make her feel better. The creature’s glowing gaze trailed her movements. For long seconds they stared at one another until a sob from the television broke the silence, and the wolf’s head snapped to the screen.

  The female’s features contorted with fear. “No.” She shook her head. “Please, no more. I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”

  The wolf snarled, and Kenzie refocused on the animal. His hackles rose, and the wolf growled long and low.

  “Please. Please don’t do this.” Kenzie heard the woman cry out. A man pinned her against the wall, his fist poised as if to hit her. She looked pale, and dark circles around her eyes stood out like bruises. The woman’s blond hair was plastered to her skin. She wasn’t looking good, and Kenzie struggled to connect the dots as to why this woman was on the screen.

  A long, guttural howl filled the room, and the wolf charged forward. Kenzie had nowhere to run and nowhere to go. The wolf slammed into her and she flew backward, her head smashed on the tiles, the air knocked clean from her lungs. Looming above her, the wolf’s breath huffed, blowing strands of hair over her face.

  “Don’t!” Her sister’s voice screamed, as if she was right there in the room.

  Ava. She was alive. Kenzie wanted to look around, but the wolf held her in place. Its lip curled, and its teeth looked even sharper up close. Instinctively, her hands shot up and wrapped around the wolf’s fur. She pulled back hard, but the wolf didn’t budge.

  “Damn it. Listen to me.” Her sister’s voice rose.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Kenzie saw Ava limp into the room from the adjoining door. Living and breathing. Faded bruises that looked weeks old marred her face. It shouldn’t have been possible. It had been only one day since she’d seen her sister all banged up. Her sister hobbled deeper into the room. Had she been locked in the other room with that… that creature?

  “Ava, get back!” Damn it. Her sister must have been trying to lure the wolf away. Like hell Ava would battle against an animal in Kenzie’s place. Ava had always been brave. The kind of kid unable to stand by and watch bad things happen to other people. Even now, barely in a state to stand up, she still was trying to rescue her.

  Tugging at the beast’s fur, Kenzie held its gaze. Now it was time for Ava to be rescued. The wolf’s mouth opened wide, and Kenzie shot her arm up to deflect the attack. Teeth bit into her arm. Kenzie screamed. The wolf clamped down and shook its head. Fire shot from the wound and up to her shoulder. Her sister let loose a battle cry, the sound morphing into something not remotely human. Ava tackled the wolf and yanked its teeth out of her arm. Both Ava and the animal skidded across the room and smacked into the wall.

  “Ava!”

  Ignoring the pain, Kenzie levered herself up and stood. The room spun, but she managed to stagger forward. The wolf smashed Ava into the wall and jumped away. Ava’s amber eyes blazed an unhuman light. Kenzie’s mouth dried. She took a step back, and her sister’s gaze zeroed in on her. As clear as day, Kenzie could see large fangs jutting out of Ava’s mouth. Worse, black claws popped out from her nail beds, looking as sharp and deadly as her teeth.

  “What have they done to you?” she whispered.

  A pained look crossed Ava’s face. “Kenzie.” Ava’s voice, barely recognizable, filled with pain.

  Ava sucked in a breath, buckled over, and groaned, falling to her knees. The wolf approached Ava, sniffing. No matter what they’d done to her sister, she was still the only thing Kenzie had left. Kenzie barreled forward, closing the distance, and stood in front of her sister’s body. Ava had protected her against this monster, and it might have cost her life. The rabid creature would damn well have to find dinner someplace else. There was no way she would let her sister be an appetizer.

  The animal didn’t move closer. Sure, it still looked like it could snap her in two, but the aggression was gone. She stared at the wolf and heard a small whimper. Kenzie frowned. If she didn’t know any better, it actually seemed concerned, which was crazy. The wolf’s attention shifted to the television.

  Ava screamed, and loud pops echoed in the room. Horrified, Kenzie spun and saw Ava’s body shuddered. Kenzie rushed to her side and dropped to
her knees, running a hand over Ava’s forehead. It was hot enough to scorch, and Kenzie snapped her hand back. Her sister’s hair parted to reveal a healing bite mark on her shoulder. “Ava, tell me what’s happening. How can I help you?”

  Her sister screamed again, the sound tapering into a howl. Jesus! What had they done to her? Kenzie scooted back a fraction. Ash-blond strands plastered to Ava’s sweat-licked skin. Her chest seesawed, and cream-colored fur crawled across her arms. Kenzie’s eyes widened.

  Werewolf.

  The wolf that had just bitten her arm was the same kind of creature that had attacked her in the woods, and now, her sister was turning into one. Kenzie dashed back against the wall. Ava’s body contorted in ways that shouldn’t have been possible. None of this should be possible. No matter how many times she had that thought, it didn’t stop the reality of her sister’s crunching bones and twisted features.

  The door opened with a whoosh of air, and footsteps filled the room. At least a dozen men fanned out. The male wolf spun, dipping its head, and growled. Ava. She turned, and instead of her sister stood a beige wolf with the same brown low lights Ava had in her hair. She wasn’t as big as the male, but still a formidable sight.

  Ava stumbled forward and stood next to the other wolf. Screams sounded in the halls somewhere close by, and the men in front of her looked at each other with unease. Stanley stood front and center. He didn’t look so smug now. His brows were drawn, and he looked worried. His palms worked around his gun pointed at the male wolf.

  “Think long and hard, Lucas. You might be a wolf for now, but I’m damn sure a bullet to the head will kill you no matter what form you take.”

  Stanley thumbed the safety off. The man under all the teeth and fur must have been called Lucas. The creature’s muscles bunched, and Kenzie doubted Lucas was thinking at all, if he thought to take on a room full of armed guards and win. A snarl rattled up his throat, and Kenzie pressed herself against the wall. To her horror, both Lucas and Ava attacked. Bullets fired, and Kenzie ducked, wrapping her arms around her head. A soldier ploughed into her, knocking her to the floor. She struggled beneath his weight, and she snapped her head forward, her forehead smashing into the guard’s face. Blood burst from his nose, and he wrapped his hand in her hair, driving the back of her head into the floor.