Primal Law (Alpha Pack #1)(32)

Kira swallowed hard, struggling with this. She didn't consider herself a bleeding-heart liberal by any means, but life was precious. Yes, she stood by the law and the guilty deserved to be punished accordingly, but if there was any hope that a soul might be saved, it seemed a waste to extinguish it.

"Are there any residents there now?" she managed in an even tone.

His eyes hardened. "Yes, there's one. And don't even think of going down there, hoping to play savior to that scum, do you hear me? He doesn't want or need Mary Poppins to sweep in with a spoonful of sugar and fix him, and the only reason he isn't worm food is because he has vital information we need. End of story. Got it?"

"Yes." She wondered what type of creature he was, but it didn't matter. No point in arguing. If he was as bad as all that, she'd stay away. Despite her awful curiosity. Dropping the subject, she gestured toward the cell she was most anxious to visit. "Shall we?"

Hammer spoke up, sounding amused. "What, we're not checking out snake boy first?"

"From the way his disposition has been described, I think he can hold his own for a while."

"That's putting it mildly."

The basilisk was going to be a pill, it seemed. But looks could be deceiving and she had to wonder how hard any of them had tried after their help had been initially rebuked. Even humans would snarl or lash out when afraid. Why would these guys be any different?

Zan entered a code on the keypad beside the door, but blocked her view with his body, so she couldn't see the number sequence. She'd have to earn their trust to gain the codes, and she didn't blame them. He gave a shove and the heavy door swung inward with a groan. He and Hammer went in first, Kira close on their heels.

She wasn't sure what to expect, but the sight that greeted them hit her even harder than when she'd seen him before. The slim figure huddled on his bed, wedged in the corner where the walls met, sitting up, knees bent, large azure wings draped protectively around his body, crossed in front. Only the top of his head and his toes were visible, and she couldn't tell whether he was asleep or not.

Stepping around her two companions, she tried a soft greeting. "Hello? Are you awake?"

No response.

She edged closer, brought up short by Zan's hand on her arm, pulling her back in warning. She shook him off, but stayed put and tried again. "Hey there, are you hungry? Have you had any breakfast?"

Immediately, she felt like a fool. Would a member of the Fae know the term "breakfast"? Stupid.

"We're not going to hurt you, I promise. Would you please speak with us . . . Your Highness?" The last, she'd added on impulse. Why, she wasn't sure. Just that it seemed right, as though she was picking up a vibe from the gorgeous man. Whatever the case, it turned out to be the right thing to say.

Slowly, he raised his head, his wings lowering just enough to allow him to study her and still shield his nakedness. She expected his eyes to be blue, but they were gold. Brilliant, luminous, clear gold, like the eyes of an eagle she'd once seen behind bars at a zoo. But unlike the bird, there was nothing proud or fierce about his gaze, though she sensed his bearing might've been different, once.

Defeated. Whatever he'd been before, that was the best word to describe him now-not to mention tired, and more than a little wary of what the newcomer wanted of him. There might have been a brief spark of curiosity as well, but she couldn't be certain.

Cocking his head, he surprised them all by ordering her softly, "Come closer."

As she started to obey, Zander laid a hand on her arm, and again she shook him off. Perhaps she was naive not to be more afraid, but she felt she could trust Blue. Or whatever his name was. Getting him to trust her or anyone else might be a challenge. When she'd moved nearly to the edge of his bare mattress, he held up his gloved, bound hands, indicating for her to stop.

Immediately, both men stepped in front of her and growled a dual warning at the winged man. Belatedly she recalled that this being had supposedly immobilized half their team with a single gesture. But he'd been fighting for his life then, or so he'd undoubtedly believed. Something told her that even if his hands were free, he wouldn't do the same again without a very good cause.

She hoped she wasn't wrong.

"Honestly, how am I supposed to make any progress with you overgrown bullies getting in my way?" Crossly, she stepped around them and caught their incredulous expressions.

"Bullies! That firefly over there just about turned us into pillars of salt," Zan protested.

"Hush and let me concentrate." Giving her attention back to Blue, she had another pleasant jolt. He was sitting up straighter, regarding her with rapt attention, lips curved the smallest fraction.

"Who are you?"

The smooth, melodic quality of his voice rushed over her like cool water. "I'm Kira Locke. Like you, I'm new here. Really new-today's my first day."

"You are my jailor?"

"What? No! I'm going to be a lab assistant and sort of a caretaker."

He looked puzzled. "Lab assistant?"

"It's someone who helps a doctor around the lab with-well, never mind that at the moment. Too much information. The important thing is, I'm going to take care of you and the other creatures here, make you feel at home."

Instantly she regretted her poor choice of words as his face fell and sadness once again replaced the curiosity. "I have no home. I am outcast."