I blinked a few times, still lightheaded from the second blood draw. I saw a figure standing beside my bed, but it had to be a mirage. It was impossible that he was here.

“Kayla.” Mason’s voice was so much softer than I’d ever heard it before.

“Mason?” I tried to understand. I looked at my arm. The white cloth was still covering the spot where they took the blood. I looked down. I was still in the hospital bed. I was still in Central. How was Mason there?

“I am glad to have found you.” His voice was cold this time, but his eyes were deep and full of emotion.

“How? Why? What are you doing here?” I blinked a few more times, trying to get out of my daze.

“I know you got lost after the fire. I am sure you were afraid, but I am going to be taking you home very soon.” He put a hand on my arm, and his eyes bore into mine. His message was clear, go along with anything he said.

I nodded absently.

“I already told you, she needs her rest.” Doctor Morton walked into the room. It was strange to see him in the same place as Mason. The two men didn’t seem like the types to occupy the same space.

“And I already told you I will not leave her side.” Mason didn’t as much as look at Doctor Morton. His eyes remained on me.

“Will you consider our offer?”

“Never.” Mason turned to Dr. Morton this time. “I will never release her. She will always be mine.”

His words were dark, threatening, but they didn’t worry me. He was being protective, and given our current location I was okay with that. If he used those words to refer to me on the outside, we would be having a pointed conversation.

“If that is how you want this to go.” Dr. Morton still waited near the doorway.

Mason turned back to me. “It is how it will go.”

“And you are sure you are the only man she has been with?” Dr. Morton’s words had my mouth falling open.

“What does that have to do with anything?” I spat out. “Besides I already told you—”

“Yes.” Mason gripped the handrail beside me. “I am the only one. I will forever be the only one.”

“I am merely making sure some of the story she gave is true.” Dr. Morton walked further into the room.

“How soon until you release her to me?” Mason brushed some hair out of my face. It was as if he was using any excuse to touch me.

“As soon as we study this blood work and run some tests. As long as she is not a breeder, she will be released to you.”

“And if she appears to be a breeder?” Mason turned around.

“Then she will stay awhile longer. We assure you no one will touch her beyond the testing.” Dr. Morton looked at me this time. “There is nothing to fear.”

“The testing hurts her, doesn’t it?” Mason took my hand.

“It’s not a big deal.” What was he thinking? I couldn’t leave yet. I hadn’t even found Quinn and Bailey.

“We do the best we can to minimize the pain.” Dr. Morton cringed as he spoke, but he looked away as if trying to hide it. “If I can have some time with the patient, I can finish my interviews and get moving on the testing.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Mason’s expression was stony. “Don’t waste your breath trying to change my mind.”

“I will need a few more minutes alone with her, then you're welcome to return.”

“What could you possibly need to discuss with her without me present?” Mason asked.

“Just some formalities. You can watch through the window if it makes you feel better.”

“What window?” There were none that I had seen.

“This one.” Doctor Morton left the room and lifted a curtain as some light from the hall flowed through a clear window beside the door. He returned inside.

“I’m not leaving.” His jaw clenched.

“I will not be able to clear her and release her to you unless I can do my work.”

“Fine, but I will be right outside the door.” Mason walked out, and I found myself hoping he wouldn’t be gone long.

“We don’t have much time, so I’ll make this fast.” Dr. Morton strode over to the bed after closing the door.

“We don’t have much time for what?” I eyed Mason through the window.

“I need to know if you are comfortable speaking freely in front of Mason. We need the most honest information possible, the alternative might hurt the important work we are doing here.” He was talking so formally. It made me think my hunch about the surveillance was probably true.

I considered my options. I didn’t want Mason breaking me out yet, but I would be in a better position with him nearby. He would protect me, and despite everything else, I knew he was on my side. “Yes. I am.”

“Good. We will be moving you down the hall to my lab so we can run some tests.”

“More blood?” I could handle it, but I wasn’t looking forward to more needles.

“Other tests.”

“Ok. Can I walk there?” Anything to get out of the room and have the possibility of sneaking a peak at Quinn and Bailey.

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Ok.”

“You are sure you are comfortable with Mason’s presence for all of this?”

I tried to read between the lines. Dr. Morton shouldn’t have cared that much about my comfort. There was something else at play.

“Absolutely.” There was no time to dwell. “I want him with me.”

Dr. Morton offered me a hand to help me out of the bed, but before my feet hit the floor, Mason was there pushing the doctor out of the way.

We left the room, and Mason’s hand wrapped around mine as we walked down the hall. My bare feet froze on the cold floor, and I wished I were wearing something more than the light hospital gown. It brought back memories of the first night at the club—to Addison’s words about the fans serving a purpose. I hoped Addison was okay. I had run away from the fire out of desperation, but I regretted not returning for her and the others. I hoped Jarret kept his word and searched for them. I hoped they all made it out alive.

Dr. Morton stopped in front of a double set of wooden doors. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked one of the doors. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, ushering us in behind him.

The room was cramped, with two large white tables covered in different machines with wires hooked up to more machines. There were at least a half dozen racks full of test tubes, and what appeared to be microscopes. The other furniture in the room was a desk and a couch of the sort that made it seem more appropriate for lying down than sitting.

“Kayla, please make yourself comfortable on that couch.” He gestured to the brown leather recliner.

Mason walked with me. I had no problem with that. Looking at the machines in the room, my stomach tumbled. What was I in for?

Dr. Morton walked over to the door, and he locked it.

Mason tensed beside me.

“I need to know the truth right now, Kayla.” Dr. Morton stood with his back to the door.

“About what?”

“Was Mason the first man you were with?” He looked only at me when he asked.

“Will you really insist on asking her that again?” Mason scowled. “She’s already answered your questions.”

“He is the only man I’ve lain with.” I saw no reason to lie about that, and I didn’t understand why it mattered at all.

“So there is zero possibility you have ever borne a child?”

“I think I would remember that experience.” I still remembered when Quinn went through labor. She had Bailey at home with absolutely no medication. She had to stay largely silent for fear of us getting caught, but I’d seen the pain wracking her face.

Dr. Morton smiled ever so slightly. I didn’t look over to see Mason’s reaction. “You are being honest? I need to know the truth?”

“Why would you doubt her?” Mason snapped. “I know you are desperate to find breeders, but she was untouched when I had her.”

“It is impossible for you to know that for sure. Even if she bled—”

I jumped off the couch. “Stop it. Stop talking about me like I’m not here or am not being truthful. I was untouched as he said.”

“Then please answer this next question.”

“Okay.” I tried to calm down. If I screamed again I might end up bringing one of the other doctors in, and I didn’t want that. Dr. Morton seemed less intense than the the rest.

“Once again I need complete honesty. If you lie about this one, I will have no choice but to assume your first answer was a lie and keep you here at Central.”

“Ask the question.” Mason put an arm around you. “We don’t have time for your games.”

Dr. Morton walked toward us. “Do you have any siblings, Kayla?”

I closed my eyes. Here it went. Here was my chance. What did I do? Why had he asked the first question? Unless he was trying to figure out more about Bailey. I debated what would be best for everyone.

“Tell him, Kayla. We don’t want to stay here longer than we have to. I want to take you home.” Mason traced small circles on my back.

He was right. Not that we should leave right away, but that telling the truth would probably get us the right information. I looked up at Dr. Morton. “Yes.”

“Are we being recorded?” Mason interrupted.

“Not in here.” Dr. Morton shook his head. “And yes? You admitted your mother bore more than one child?”

“Yes. She had three.”

Dr. Morton paled. “Are you the only girl?”

“No. I have one sister.” It felt empowering to say it out loud, but I also knew how dangerous my admission could be.

Dr. Morton smiled. “Unbelievable. This whole thing is unbelievable.”

“Excuse me?” Mason bristled. “Would you care to explain your reaction?”

Dr. Morton turned to Mason. “Have you met her sister?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?” Dr. Morton pressed.

“Because Kayla came to my club alone.”

“Did she tell you where her sister was?” He was looking at me again. I was looking at the test tubes and machines. I had to get Quinn and Bailey out of there.

“Not at first.”

“But eventually?” He put a hand in the pocket of his coat. “She told you eventually?”

Mason nodded. “Yes.”

“And where is she?” Dr. Morton pulled a small vial out of his pocket and then put it back in.

“She’s here.” I answered before Mason could. “I know she’s here. And you know it too. Stop trying to deny it.”

“Who said I’m going to deny it? As I said we are not being recorded here.”

“Why do you want this private?’ Mason asked. “What concern would you have if your bosses knew?”

“Oh, they know. Once you see her sister you’ll understand. The two look so similar…” he trailed off. It was obvious his mind momentarily went elsewhere.

“Then why not talk in her room?”

“Because my bosses don’t realize why Kayla came here. That changes everything.”

“And why, pray tell us, did Kayla come here?” Mason pulled me tight against his side.

“To reunite with her sister and someone else.”

“They are both here?” I started to get up.

Mason wrapped his arm around my waist and kept me seated. He was right, getting in the doctor’s face wouldn’t help us at all.

Dr. Morton nodded. “Yes.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question. Why don’t you want your bosses to know?”

“Because…” He trailed off.

“What aren’t you saying?”

“Who is the father?” Dr. Morton gazed down on me. “Do you know?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“It matters. I need to know.”

“How could it matter? She had a child. That is all you need to know.”

“Technically not. A man able to participate in a successful act of reproduction is worthy of testing.”

“An act of reproduction?” Mason raised an eyebrow. “You still believe the theory that men might be part of the problem?”

“Still believe? Are you somehow knowledgeable about the research we do in Central.”

“I’m from the system. Same as you.”

Dr. Morton froze.

“I remember everyone I’ve ever met.” Mason moved so I was wrapped in both of his arms with my back pressed against him.

“You were here?”

“Yes.” Mason nodded. “We knew each other. I see they’ve messed with some of your memories.”

Dr. Morton rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s impossible. They don’t do memory research here anymore.”

“How would you know?” Mason rested his chin on my head.

I tried to follow the implications of the conversation. “There is something other than reproductive research happening at Central?”

“There is a whole lot of research being done.” Mason’s arms tightened around me.

“Why would I believe you?” Dr. Morton narrowed his eyes.

“Because I have no reason to lie, Maverick.”

Dr. Morton looked down at his name tag. It didn’t have his first name. “How did you know?”

“Because I knew you once, as I explained to you already. I can tell you more about that at another time. We were discussing why the father of Kayla’s niece was at all relevant to our current situation.”

“I already told you…”

“He’s dead.” I might as well get the conversation moving. “He was killed by traders when he tried to protect his family. They killed my father too. There’s no one left out there.”

“What about the third sibling?”

“He isn’t there. Why would he have stayed? What would have been there for him?”

“He might have returned.”

“No.” I refused to believe anything evil had befallen Thomas, but I knew the traders might have found him. Until I was proven otherwise, I’d fantasize he was okay. Bolton was okay too. I couldn’t pretend my father or Benjamin were alive, I’d seen their cold, dead eyes, but I’d cling to the hope the others had made it.

“Why would Quinn think you were more capable of caring for her child?” Dr. Morton pulled out a stool and sat down.

“She wouldn’t.” I tried to understand what he was getting it.

“She seems to think you are. She figured out you were here and asked me to get you and her child out.” He had large bags under his eyes, and he looked about ready to collapse.

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not how this will work.”

“Why would she try to make that bargain?” Dr. Morton, or Maverick, whatever his name was, asked.

“Because she cares. She’d do anything for the ones she loves, including me.” Which was why I’d put her first. But right now there were other questions to address. “Will you do what she asked? Let us go?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know yet.”

“But you are considering it?” Was that even possible?

“I’m not considering anything.” He stood and walked across the room.

“Where is my sister? Her child?”

“I assume you know her name?” Maverick glanced at me over his shoulder. He was adjusting some sort of microscope.

“Of course. But that’s not information I’m going to give you if you don’t have it.”

He turned from the microscope. “I discovered Bailey’s name the first night.”

“How?” Would Quinn have revealed that information so easily?

“When Quinn called out her name.”

I shuddered. I couldn’t even imagine how those first few days had to have been for my sister. Not that it would have gotten much easier now. Still in the beginning when she didn’t even know how Bailey was doing. I couldn’t even go there. I couldn’t take myself down that line of thought.

“Are you going to run tests on me now?” If Quinn got through testing while worried about Bailey I could handle it.

“I already know what I’m going to find from your blood test. But let’s keep that between us.”

I assumed he meant about my being a possible breeder. It usually ran in families, and that would be enough of a reason to keep me in Central.

“Can I see Quinn? Or Bailey?” I already knew what his answer would be, but I had to ask.

“Not yet.” He shook his head. “But I will make it happen.”

“Make it happen soon.” Mason barked. “She’s been waiting long enough.”

“You are lucky I am even speaking with you like this.”

“But you are.” I called him out. “That means something.”

“Yes, it means I’m out of my mind.”

“We will wait a few days. No more.” Mason adjusted his arms. I appreciated his willingness to push. I wanted to, but the events of the day were starting to catch up with me—or more like the events of the past weeks. I’d barely let myself think about anything else other than finding Quinn and Bailey. I hadn’t seen them yet, but I was close. I knew I was close. I could feel Quinn. I remember my mother telling me about twins having a special relationship—we weren’t twins, but maybe it was our rarity that made us closer.

“You need to go back to your room now.” Dr. Morton stood.

“Thank you, Dr. Morton.” I would go along with him for the time being.

“You are welcome. My name is Maverick, but I would appreciate if you used my title—”

“I understand.” Using his last name was the least I could do. If he got caught trying to help us, we would be in a far worse position.

“I will be staying in Kayla’s room.” Mason released me from his arms.

“I assumed as much. Tardale didn’t seem to have any trouble with you being around. I don’t know who you really are, but you are important.”

“I have earned respect.” Mason raised his chin.

“I have no memory of you at all.”

“Like I said, we can discuss that at another time.”

“Yeah, another time.” Maverick unlocked the door.

“Should we show ourselves back to her room or…”

“I will escort you. I have to set the alarm.”

“The alarm?” Mason wrapped his hand around mine as we followed Maverick into the hallway.

“The room is alarmed. If either of you get out of bed it will go off.”

“I learned that the hard way.” But at least I’d come up with an excuse quickly enough.

“You were out of bed in the middle of the night?” Mason gave me a quizzical look.

“To use the bathroom.”

“She can’t use the bathroom alone?” His eyes flashed with anger.

“She can. She just has to call me.”

“We will go before you leave.”

“Very well.” We reached the room. Maverick waited while we used the restroom. “By the way, you will have privacy tonight.”

“What happened to the surveillance?” I asked suspiciously.

“You aren’t going to hurt yourself with Mason here. I’ll lock the door still, of course.”

“Fine.” Mason nodded.

Maverick stepped out, closing and locking the door behind him.

The room was illuminated by two faint lights in the ceiling. I had no idea how to turn them off, and in truth I preferred not being left completely in the dark.

“Let’s assume we are still being watched or listened to.” Mason ran his hand down my cheek.

“I agree.” I curled up into his chest.

“I am so glad you are okay.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize. Just don’t.”

“Why not? I didn’t want to hurt you.” But I hadn’t thought I had another choice. Maybe I’d underestimated him.

“I know, and that’s enough for right now.” He ran his lips over my forehead.

I closed my eyes savoring his touch. How did I ever think I could live without him?