The Reign of the Occult by Lauren Louise Hazel

Author:Lauren Louise Hazel [Hazel, Lauren Louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hazel Books
Published: 2022-04-24T05:00:00+00:00

LIGHT

The Head was surprised by the difference in the User.

When he had assessed her during his last visit, she had been shaking off sedation, reacting only to the news of her brother. She was very active now, pulling herself up and down the far wall, leaving a damp trail of sweat behind her. She was still in her white gown, but it dwarfed her. Her legs, white and knobby, looked like matchsticks beneath the cloth. The circle of blood that held her was brown rather than red.

She was muttering when he entered, clawing at her bruised and indented arms. She hissed when he approached, but it looked to be on instinct; there was no understanding in her eyes.

“I didn’t expect to visit again—especially so soon,” he explained. “But needs must.”

His father had always told him, after all: “If you want something done properly, do it yourself.” The Head had tried to instill the same in Everett, but that boy was beyond help. “If your brother’s power didn’t work, it looks like we’ll have to use yours,” he informed her.

The loss of Jinx was unfortunate. Sometimes subjects were lost in the experiments. It was the price for advancement. Still, Jinx’s power had been unusual.

Just like his sister’s.

The Illusionist’s eyes were glazed, and he was unsure if she had enough capacity left to respond. She turned on the spot, again and again, until her tiny white legs could no longer support her.

“Can you hear me?” he asked, impatient. He did not have the time or patience for games. She was safe if she was useful; if he felt she could no longer serve their cause; she would be terminated.

She did not appear to care.

“Do you understand me?” he said, louder. There was a moment, a tiny flicker of understanding in her eyes. She turned again. “I know that you do.”

She hummed but did not acknowledge him.

“If you want to get out of here alive,” he pointed out, quite reasonably, “I suggest you do as I ask.”

He was a truthful man, after all. She would only get freedom by aiding them—it was her only chance to feel fresh air again, to see the sun. Even she knew that.

She turned back toward him slowly, her eyes bright now, and focused. She sucked in a breath and without warning, spat in his face.

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