Chapter 0328

"You're lying." Every instinct screamed this was a trap. Yet I remained rooted in place. Why hadn't I fled the moment she asked if I was Wolf or Lycan?

"If I'm lying, Seraphina, how do you explain my survival? I recognized that gown instantly." She turned toward a closet, retrieving a dusty box from the top shelf. Inside lay an identical gown to the prison uniform. "The only difference was this stupid band. Allergic reaction to painkillers. When they strip your healing abilities, you learn what doesn't work."

Evelyn handed it to me. The band clearly displayed her name and allergy type.

"And this." She passed me an empty drip bag. "I thought it was over too. Sat in that corner watching the last drops vanish into my arm. The pain was unbearable. That's why you believe you're dying. But you'll survive."

"Will my abilities return?"

She sighed. "No. He told you the same lie. That this poison takes everything away, and you can't live without it."

I nodded.

"Our brains believe anything when we hit rock bottom."

"Why don't our powers come back?"

"Because that bag didn't take them. Levi did when he first drugged you."

"He never found you here?"

"Making us Human removes our Lycan scent. We smell like every other human. But avoid familiar places. He checks them. He sends others to check them."

I frowned. My mother, stepfather, and siblings should be at Obsidian Howl. But I couldn't recall how long it had been since I'd seen them. I'd mentioned Athena to Levi. Would he search for me there? Especially knowing she was the Lycan Alpha.

"You must say goodbye to your old life, Seraphina."

She led me downstairs into the large kitchen. She extended her hand, glancing at the drip bag.

"I'm not sure about this."

"Would you rather wait until it runs out?" Evelyn asked softly.

"I'd prefer finding a Witch."

She shook her head. "How do you propose to do that?"

"I could track..." My voice trailed off. I couldn't track scents anymore.

"I know it's overwhelming. If you're not ready, we can try later."

I nodded. She gestured to the small kitchen table. "Let me make you a sandwich."

She moved around the kitchen while I sat quietly, weighing my options. She placed a sandwich and orange juice before me. "How did you escape?" I asked quietly.

"A nurse took me for my routine shower. I saw that little bar of soap and knew it was now or never. I shoved it down her throat. Drove my thumbs through her eyes while she choked. No cameras in the bathroom. Perfect killing spot. I climbed out the window."

"There are bars now." I muttered. I'd spent every shower searching for escape routes. My eyes had scanned every nook and cranny. Nothing.

"I figured."

"You never went back to help the others?"

Her face fell. Her grey eyes grew watery. "I believe the others were killed because I escaped. How did you get out?"

I frowned. "Would you believe me if I said the doors just opened? I thought they were bolted. Seems they were on timers too. Every door swung open. Almost everyone escaped. But that can't be right..." I looked at the drip bag. "I saw them dead in the hallways. They'd removed the drips."

"They'd only be down long enough for capture. Not dead." Evelyn told me.

"Why help me? Why offer food and shelter? You said I must be trouble."

"Like I said. I was you once. I wish I'd had someone to tell me this isn't the end."