Esher: Winter Valley Wolves #7 by V. Vaughn, Mating Season Read Free Book Online Page B

“Mia.”
    Her eyes are big, and she’s trembling with fear as her handcuffs release with a click. The men lift her and then drop her on the table. Her body thumps hard. I wince when I hear her groan as I imagine the pain. I say, “There’s no reason to hurt her.”
    Don says, “She’s a wolf. She hardly feels it.”
    Oh god. He has no regard for animals. I ask, “How do you know that? I’m her friend, and I’m pretty sure she’s human.”
    “We have our ways,” says Don. “Now shut up, or I’ll gag you too.”
    I squeeze my eyes shut to hold back tears. Esher. Will I see him again? The prick of a needle makes me flinch, and I glance down to find what appears to be an IV line stuck in my arm. I turn my head to watch what’s happening to Mia. Her blood flows through a line attached to her arm and into my vein. Warmth spreads as the fluid runs through my blood.
    I gaze into Mia’s eyes, and I mouth, “I’m sorry.”
    She shakes her head, and I wish I could figure out how to get us out of this. Because even if this cures my cancer, I fear for both our lives.

12
    I ’m not sure how much blood Dr. Sand pumps into my body before she stops. But even though she appears to be done with me for the moment, the evil scientist is not done with Mia. When the second bag attached to Mia’s IV line is almost full, I glance over at her to discover she’s deathly pale. Oh, god. They’re going to bleed her dry. I say, “Don’t you think you should stop soon? You’re going to want to use her as a blood bank, right?”
    “Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?” hisses Dr. Sand.
    “Of course.” I offer a dry laugh. “I’m just curious. You know how we scientists are.”
    I get no reply but notice Dr. Sand has clipped the line to stop the flow coming from Mia. Hang on, Mia. Even if she didn’t manage to get in touch with anyone about the men being here, I know Esher will be worried about me when I don’t answer my texts. I hold on to the hope he’ll be able to save us.
    Dr. Sand hovers over me. “How do you feel?”
    I control the urge to spit in her face. “It’s hard to tell. My bladder is full, and I’m hungry. I don’t suppose I can go to the bathroom?”
    She huffs. “Fine. Rafe, escort her.”
    Great, like I have a prayer of escaping from tall, dark, and beastly. My restraints click open, and when my wrists are released I sit up slowly. After my ankles are free, Rafe yanks me to my feet, and I stumble along beside him as he moves quickly toward the bathroom with my arm in a grip that makes his strength apparent.
    I enter a small room and breathe a sigh of relief when Rafe lets me shut the door between us. Not that it does me any good, because the bathroom is windowless, with only a toilet and sink. The only thing that could be used as a weapon is the sandpaper-grade toilet paper.
    When I’m done, Rafe leads me to a desk, and I sit in an office chair. A bottle of juice and a granola bar thump on the surface when Don sets them down, and he says, “Dinner.”
    “Thanks.” I tear open the foil package and devour my meal. As I twist open the orange juice I say, “Delicious. I can’t wait for dessert.”
    Dr. Sand approaches me and scans me with her eyes. “Finish your drink, and we’ll draw some blood to see how you’re doing.”
    I nod and take a big swig from the bottle. Sweet citrus flavor floods my mouth, and I know the sugar will give me a little energy to make me feel better. Although, my fate is beginning to look a bit dour, because I don’t think Dr. Sand’s going to like what she finds.
    I glance over at the tables and discover Mia is still on hers with her eyes closed. I watch carefully for the rise and fall of her chest to determine if she’s still alive. She’s breathing, and it offers me a little comfort. I notice Mia’s hooked up to an IV with clear liquid, and I hope it means they’re hydrating her to help with the blood loss. If they plan to use Mia as a blood bank,