Iris

by Yolanda Sfetsos

  She also hadn’t missed the strange looks he’d been flashing her way, while licking his thick lips.

  “Where are you going?” Rue called.

  His hand rested on the doorknob. “I’m going to patrol like you said to do.”

  Before he had the chance to step out, White was at his side. He pulled the white bag from his back and pulled out one of the rats. He handed it to the taller man, who took it with a grunt of thanks. Then, he was gone, out the door.

  “I see you’ve brought dinner with you, White. Thank you. Now, why don’t you and Honey head over to the kitchen and share them around with everyone?” Rue said with a smile.

  He nodded but hesitated at the door, his gaze on Iris.

  “Don’t worry, White. She’s not going anywhere. You can thank her later.”

  He nodded, bowed, and slipped out the door with the small woman right behind him.

  “Lloyd, go keep an eye on Snap.” Rue looked at them. “He can be a little volatile sometimes, but he’s a good guard.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  When the man was gone, she sighed. There were only three more men in the room with them, and they all stood a fair distance away.

  “Sorry to involve you in our personal situations, but Snap shouldn’t have shot White.” Disappointment darkened her face. “Snap’s got a few anger issues, but like I said, he’s a good guard. Mostly I can keep him under control, but I can’t seem to curb his trigger-happy condition.”

  “He was the one who shot White?” Iris’s stomach turned. The man had shot one of his own?

  She nodded. “Snap usually shoots before he thinks.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that,” Fox said with a frown. “If we’re going to stay here even for a few hours, we need to know what kind of a threat he could present to us.”

  “What makes you say that?” Rue crossed her arms over her stomach. The brown sweater lifted, revealing the gun strapped to her hip.

  For the first time, Iris wondered why she seemed to be the only person without a gun.

  “I saw the way he looked at Iris. I also felt the hostility he carries around with him like a shield. There’s more to it with him, isn’t there? It’s the same reason White gave him a rat when he didn’t offer one to anyone else.” Fox took a protective step closer to Iris.

  Rue’s thin lips spread into a smile. “You’re very observant, young man.”

  “So, I’m right?”

  “Yes. Snap has a problem with what’s happening to us. He doesn’t want the human side to be lost forever. We all know it’s heading that way, but with the living conditions down here, there’s no other choice. These are the cards we were dealt. Most of us have no problem with it. Having a litter of people who are more cat than human is not something that bothers me or most of us, but it seems to bother him.” Rue’s smile disappeared. “We don’t have much of a choice in our condition.”

  “He’s completely human, isn’t he?” Iris asked. The beard, the eyes, his stature, it all pointed to it.

  She nodded. “He was born amongst us but hasn’t shown any of the feline traits other babies have. None of us are ashamed about what we’ve become, except for him. He’s convinced that if we invite more humans into our community, we’ll be able to get back on track.”

  “Unless you abduct them, not even those who belong to the slums would willingly move lower.” Fox’s arm rubbed hers lightly, but he didn’t move.

  The proximity warmed her. It made strange sensations stir inside her stomach as she turned to stare at his profile. His nose fit perfectly into the rest of his face, just as his full lips did. He turned those bright, blue eyes her way, and she couldn’t stop the blush from spreading along her cheeks.

  He flashed a kind smile and turned back to Rue.

  “I realize that.”

  “Then, what? He wants to abduct people?”

  Rue shrugged. “I don’t know how his mind works at times. If he goes anywhere near either one of you with ill intent, let me know. I’ll lock him up for the duration of your stay. If you wish to advance higher to help your friend, then it’s what you must do. We’ll get you to the stairwells. They probably lead to an elevator somewhere. Though before that, I think you’ll have to brave the remainder of the slums.”

  Fox nodded.

  “Tell me. How did you get down here in the first place?” Rue uncrossed her arms and headed toward the closed door.

  “I accessed a service elevator.”

  “Why couldn’t you go back up the same way?”

  Fox released a heavy breath. “When we got to it, someone had already destroyed it. If it hadn’t been for White showing us the way, we’d be in the hands of those hunters.”

  Iris shivered as she stared at the woman. Something in her eyes seemed to match what Iris felt inside. Fox was hiding something. He knew much more about this situation than he let on, but for some reason, he was withholding information. A sense of foreboding raced down her spine—a chill colder than death. Deep down inside, her instinct told her to trust both him and this new woman they’d met. There was no reason to suspect either of anything. Yet.

  “Very well, young man—”

  “Fox. My name is Fox.”

  She nodded, but something in her eyes shifted. “Very well, Fox. Although I feel as if you’re leaving out a very important part of your story, I’ll respect your privacy. After all, your privacy is your prerogative, but I do ask that you in turn respect my people. We will bring no harm to you. Now, please. Let’s have something to eat, and then, I’ll show you where you can both rest until you feel it’s time for you to move on.”

  Iris nodded. Fox took her hand as they walked out the door together.

  Now that they were embarking on this adventure, confusion flooded her heart and mind.

  Chapter Eight

  Luckily, the Felines had other foods to offer them—other than cooked or raw rat. Not that Fox would have snubbed them if that was all they’d served. He’d been famished by the time they hit the common room, and he had certainly eaten worse on other missions. Besides, he would secretly have enjoyed eating the bastards who’d tried to engulf Iris and had succeeded with devouring his team.

  His stomach plummeted at the thought.

  In the end, he was glad they offered canned food, instead. While he scarfed down the green beans and a separate tuna can, his eyes remained glued to Iris as she ate her selection. He listened to Rue, and everything she had to tell him about the level she and the cats occupied, but he couldn’t stop turning his gaze back to Iris.

  At the back of his mind, something bugged him. It wasn’t that he felt he couldn’t trust Rue, but her simple explanation of “human slowly becoming cat” didn’t make any sense. There was something else going on—something involving science more than myth.

  Fox had seen enough scientists—and would-be scientists—come in and out of his father’s corporation. All were commissioned by his father, but Fox didn’t know why. Kingsley Wentworth held many secrets and just about had a hand in everything corrupt going on in the lower levels. It was how he controlled the majority of the city.

  It wasn’t until ten years ago, when York Industries had decided to stake a claim and crusade in the city’s business, that he’d lost grasp of some of that control. Many powerful men had been kidnapped, scouted, stolen, enslaved, or killed between the two companies as they fought to become number one.

  The ridiculous group that passed for a police force was completely manipulated by Wentworth Corporation. Bounty hunters were aplenty, eager to score credits while they completed the filthy jobs the rich wanted done but didn’t want to dirty their own hands with. It was disgusting and why Fox had stolen from his own father.

  Soon, he’d find out who had really taken the credits, but by then, Fox would have already decided where to invest them. The fact that his plan of taking the elevator straight to the top had been foiled wouldn’t deter him. Although, seeing the slums and poverty for himself could
help make up his mind.

  Now, as he lay back against the lumpy, flimsy mattress with a scratchy blanket beneath him, all he could think about was the mysterious brunette. How his body reacted when she was near. The way he wanted to protect and deliver her unharmed, as per the original plan.

  Was that still what he wanted to do?

  He wasn’t sure anymore.

  Fox knew his father well enough to know how ruthless he could be. He was the one responsible for sending those hunters. It just didn’t make any sense otherwise. What were bounty hunters doing in an abandoned basement level, shooting and destroying a service elevator no one should have known was even accessible? Unless they’d used it on their way down and destroyed it afterwards.

  “What are you up to, father?” The words made his throat tight. Damn him! The man was capable of anything.

  Trying to shake the guilt, anger, and confusion, Fox closed his eyes and allowed exhaustion to grab a hold of him. It had been a long day. He needed to sleep and get moving as soon as he woke up.

  His mind began to drift, when a bloodcurdling scream suddenly pierced the silence.

  Chapter Nine

  The bed wasn’t comfortable, but Iris didn’t mind. She’d spent a little time alone with White, thanking him for what he’d done for her. She’d developed real affection toward him. Well, what she imagined it would feel like to actually have a friend. He may not be able to say a single word, but it didn’t matter. He had his own way of communicating.

  A certain meow for yes, another for no. He would shake his head and nod, or rub it against her hand when he was grateful for something. She found him innocent and selfless. The way he’d shared his gathered rats with the others had seemed as easy for him as the way he’d come to her rescue.

  She felt at ease with him. A warm sensation settled over her skin when she thought of White.

  Iris tried to compare it to the way Fox made her feel but realized what he roused inside her body was a completely different thing. It connected to her body in a deeper, more intense way. She wished they’d gotten to share a room instead of being separated. Even as she’d hugged White and thanked him for the hundredth time before he walked out the door, she couldn’t stop thinking about Fox. About the way he looked and how he reacted toward her. Small things, like taking her hand in his or moving a step closer so their bodies touched, entered her mind.

  Maybe she’d felt this way before in her life, but right now, she couldn’t remember. The frustration of not knowing who she really was made her edgy, made her feel incomplete.

  Iris wished she knew where she’d come from, especially now. What else could she do? Were all her actions serene and helpful? Or could she tap into violence strong enough to tear six people apart, because she’d been threatened?

  With a sigh, she lay back against the mattress. When her head hit the pillow, she was surprised at just how tired she felt. At least her body was no longer injured. Even if she didn’t understand how she’d healed both herself and White.

  He’d been dying. She’d felt him slipping away, but as soon as her hands connected with his furry abdomen she’d helped him…and still had no idea how she’d done it.

  How did I save his life?

  “Iris, are you okay? Where are you? I’ll never give up looking for you. You know that. Come back to me.” The male voice periodically hounding her mind was back. Was it just her conscience? Maybe there were many voices inside her head, because she was insane. The thought of being one of the mentally institutionalized itched at her very soul. She couldn’t be…

  Why am I hearing voices, then? Of course, it was only one voice she heard. No, what about the ones outside? The multitude of voices encouraging me to leave the basement?

  She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, eager to let sleep take over. Maybe dreams would reveal a little more. Or at least she could forget about everything while she rested.

  Drowsiness swept over her.

  The creak of the door was subtle, but loud enough to alert every one of her senses. The filthy odor assaulted her nostrils instantly. She could taste danger in the air, heard the shuffle of boots against the concrete, followed by the creak of the bed.

  By the time Iris snapped her eyes open, the intruder had already gotten a head start. His hand covered her mouth. The coarse skin of his palm tasted salty against her lips. He straddled her with his heavy bulk, weighing down on her chest as he met her eyes. Snap stank of sweat, blood, and other things she couldn’t identify. The bulky man with a dark beard and tangled mane grinned at her.

  “If you make a sound, I’ll kill you.” He pressed the blade of a knife against the side of her neck. “If you follow my instructions, you’ll live. You may not like where you end up, but you’ll still be able to breathe.”

  Iris stopped squirming beneath him. He was too strong. It hadn’t taken much to overpower her. She tried to relax as she fought the ball of rage growing stronger by the second. Who did this guy think he was, and what the hell did he want with her?

  “That’s a good girl. Now, tell me who you really are.” He slid his hand away from her mouth enough to give her room to answer. “Remember, I’ve got my blade pressed against your neck and won’t hesitate to use it.”

  “My name is Iris.”

  Snap moved his face closer. “Yeah, I got that much. The guy with you already confirmed it, as well as the others. I need to know more than that, little girl.”

  Her mind raced. What others was he talking about? “It’s all I know,” she whispered.

  “You must be someone real important to have so many people after you.” His sneer widened. “I want you to know that I’m going to hand you over to some people who are willing to pay big credits for you. First, you and I are going to have a little fun. They didn’t say anything about you being untouched.” He laughed, and spit collected in the corners of his large mouth.

  Panic swept through her body in a wave of nausea. When he pressed his groin tightly against hers, she knew exactly what type of fun he wanted. Iris squirmed beneath the pressure of his hips. She wouldn’t let him lay a finger on her. Never.

  “I’ve wanted to be with a real woman for a long time. The kittens around here aren’t as human as you.” Snap licked the side of her face.

  “No,” she whispered.

  He covered her mouth with his hand. She couldn’t even murmur now. “Shhh. I usually like my women to scream when I take them, but with you, I want to take it nice and slow. Very quiet. Just you and me having a good time.” His wink twisted the inside of her gut. “You won’t be disappointed.”

  His other hand removed the blade from the side of her neck and placed it on the floor with a clank. He slid his large palm along the front of her body, pressing hard against her breasts, almost covering both with his big hand. The move made her skin crawl with disgust, but she had to bide her time—catch him when he least expected it.

  “Oh, you taste so good.” He licked the side of her neck while his hand now fumbled with the zipper of his pants. Snap squirmed and moved above her until they were down to his knees. He wasn’t wearing anything underneath. The only things separating his filthy skin from hers were her flimsy clothes.

  Don’t make me do this.

  Snap pulled the neckline of her top down to lick her collarbone.

  Something inside her broke, just as it had when she’d been shot at and those hunters had found them. Only this time, no one would help calm her down. No one would come to her rescue. This situation would only get worse before it got any better.

  “Touch me,” he said.

  She tried to shake her head, but her neck resisted the move. His hand was still pressed over her mouth.

  He forcibly grabbed one of her hands and slid it between their bodies. Her fingers didn’t get the chance to touch his putrid skin, because the feral side she’d barely connected to earlier, now took over. It engulfed her like an out-of-control current of lava. Nothing but violence and hatred filled the hollow of memory l
oss. This man wanted to hurt her, but she was stronger.

  Somehow, she knew she was stronger.

  She couldn’t let him win, not like this. Not at the hand of some punk who thought he could overpower women and get away with it. The rapist would pay, just as anyone else who threatened her life. It had taken years to gain enough trust and confidence to eventually escape the clutches of those who wanted her, and she wasn’t going back.

  Iris needed to survive. She was the last one, the only one left who could save them. Sometimes humans didn’t deserve a second chance, not after everything they’d done to this world, but their chances kept coming. She was their only salvation.

  She shuddered, not understanding the logic spilling into her brain, but realizing that some snippets were coming back to her. She didn’t know where it was coming from, but understanding didn’t matter when her body overrode everything and reacted.

  Electricity seemed to buzz around her. Lightning crackled outside. It hit the top of the building. This was one of the smaller ones, left in the lower levels of squalor. Some of the concrete on the roof cracked as she took strength from it. Rain continued to fall from the dark sky. The torrents increased just as the explosion inside her body prepared to rage.

  “I told you to touch me, bitch!” The voice of her attacker sounded tinny, far away.

  Iris swung the hand he clutched around, so her fingers now squeezed his wrist. Bones cracked beneath the pressure. Snap’s face reddened, convulsing in pain.

  The other one, still over her mouth, slid away.

  A smile curved her lips.

  She squeezed tighter, pulling his arm upward to give her enough room between them. She raised her right knee and smacked him in the balls. He collapsed on top of her, groaning.

  The tunnel vision made him appear unreal, as if she were watching him on some sort of screen somewhere. Static teased the sides, increasing until the buzz of electricity, and lightning inside her brain collided in an explosion of white noise.