It felt like glass shards were flowing through Kasia's veins. Her muscles twisted into unnatural spasms as she convulsed against the cold, sterile floor. The world blurred as she flailed in agony. Every nerve in her body screamed. Her bones felt as if they were going to shatter at any moment.
Her throat burned raw from her own ragged screams. She barely heard Austin's frantic voice over the roaring in her ears. Kasia bashed her head into the ground trying to counter the pain, but nothing worked.
But then, something changed. The burning became a hum, a pulse that was in time with her heartbeat. Her senses sharpened. Everything was becoming too intense as her heart rate began to increase. Then, a voice entered her mind.
"How truly interesting," the voice said in amusement.
"Who are you?" Kasia demanded. "What's going on?"
"Well, you called to me. I should be asking you especially since this has never happened before and you're not one of mine," the voice responded.
"I know that voice," Deva growled. "Don't trust her Kasia."
"This is quite interesting indeed," the voice said. "Well, you don't have any chose but to trust m e. I am the only reason why you haven't completely lost your mind. A wolf cannot withstand fae magic, not like this."
"Fae magic, what? What are you talking about?" Kasia asked.
"So many questions, so little time. Follow my instructions now," the voice replied. "Repeat after me."
"What the hell is happening to her?" Austin demanded.
The scientist, standing beside the console, adjusted his glasses with an air of disinterest. "She's rejecting the serum," he replied matter-of-factly. "She's not a viable subject."
Austin swore under his breath. "Shit. Victor's gonna kill us."
"He's going to kill you," the scientist corrected, casting him a sidelong glance. "I advised against using her, but you insisted."
Austin's jaw clenched. His gaze flickered to Kasia, writhing, her fingers digging into the ground hard enough to leave bloody smears. This wasn't how this was supposed to be.
"Can you end it?" Austin asked, voice tight.
The scientist sighed, nodding. "I suppose. Her body will still be useful for further experiments."
He never got the chance.
A wet, sickening schlick cut through the air. A heartbeat later, the top half of the scientist's head slid clean off, a gruesome line severing his skull. His body twitched, then collapsed in a boneless heap.
Austin stumbled back, bile rising in his throat. "Oh, fuck- "
His gaze snapped to Kasia.
She was crouched on all fours like a feral beast, her fingers twitching, coated in fresh blood. The eerie glow of her hazel eyes made him almost pee his pants.
She shouldn't be feral like this. There was still wolfsbane in her body.
She damn sure shouldn't be standing.
But she was.
And she was looking at him.
A panicked scientist fumbled for the alarm, but he didn't make it. Kasia blurred, faster than Austin's eyes could track. A gurgled scream rang out, then another, as she dispatched them one by one. Blood splattered across the sterile white walls, the air thick with copper and death.
Austin's body finally caught up with his mind- he bolted for the door.
He didn't make it.
A sharp pain exploded in his arm as Kasia caught him mid-stride, twisting it with an audible snap. White-hot pain shot through him. He barely managed a strangled cry as he still attempted to reach for the door.
"Where are you going, sweetie?" Kasia growled. She spun Austin around, gripping him by his throat. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
"This isn't right. You shouldn't be able to do this," Austin stammered.
"It's all thanks to you. Whatever this is. It feels soooo good," Kasia purred as she released him and ran her hands over her body seductively before licking the blood off her claws.
"You need to stand down. Security will be here soon," Austin warned and Kasia cocked her head to the side before crouching to be face level with him.
"I can smell your fear and I can smell you're lying," Kasia said, "No one is coming for you. No one cares about your worthless ass." She grabbed him by his broken arm causing Austin to scream in pain. He swung at her and Kasia laughed as she dodged his punch. Kasia backhanded him to the ground.
"This is kind of pitiful. I thought you would at least put up more of an effort with your life on the line," Kasia scoffed.
Austin reached for the remote in her pocket. He pressed the button. Kasia dropped to her knees, screaming in pain. Austin stood up, smirking.
"That's right bitch. I'm in control now. Do you know how much trouble you're going to get me in? At least the drug worked but…"
Austin stopped in midsentence as Kasia laughed at him. She stood up slowly enjoying the confusion on Austin's face. He kept mashing the button repeatedly but the collar did not affect Kasia. Kasia ripped the collar from her neck and threw it to the ground.
"It never worked," Kasia said. "I just wanted to see how far you would go to continue to betray me. I warned you though." She slapped the remote out of his hand and then scruffed him like a bad dog as she dragged him over to the console
"Unlock the cells," Kasia commanded her voice a growl, inhuman and low.
"I- I can't do that," Austin said.
Kasia gripped his broken arm and twisted it causing him to scream in pain. Austin's legs gave out but she held him in place. "Don't make me tell you twice."
"I don't have the clearance," Austin cried.
Kasia tilted her head, considering him like he was a particularly interesting insect before a slow, razor-sharp smile spread across her blood-smeared lips.
"Then you better tell me who does," she whispered, leaning in until her breath was hot against his ear, "before I shove your whole damn arm down your throat."
Austin swallowed hard.
He was dead either way.
But one choice was slower than the other.