Forbidden - Page 163

The longer I stared, the more I saw. There wasn’t just one of the Daughters affected by what they’d done to Helene. They’d all seen. Quiet, simmering anger burned in their eyes. To entice and bend with desire was one thing, but violence? That would shatter any connection we’d started.

The programming wasn’t finished, nor would it stay embedded in their minds.

Coulter was about to place a fuckload of ticking timebombs on his truck and deliver those ruined ‘assets’ to Hale.

I. Couldn’t. Fucking. Wait.

I shifted my attention to Helene as she speared a forkful of eggs into her mouth, then ravaged a piece of toast. Eggs she hated, butter she despised. Still, she ate and drank.

Beep.

I scowled and looked down. A chill crept along my spine the moment I saw theH.

My breath caught as I swiped the screen and stared at the message.

“Let’s go, wrap it up.” One of Coulter’s commanders barked.

But I was fixed on the message on the screen.

H: Thanks for doing all the dirty work, Principal.

Chairs scraped and footsteps sounded under the insistent direction of the guards.

“Riven?” Walker called.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I muttered, not really listening.

Thanks for doing all the dirty work?

What the fuck did that mean? My pulse pounded as I focused on those words until they blurred. That chill moved deeper until a splitting spear plunged deeper. Something was happening here, something I was on the verge of understanding.

The message was from Hale.

That I knew.

Or was it?

Goosebumps raced along the back of my neck. That same eerie feeling found me now as it had when the cleaners had come to my apartment. Was this really Hale? I stared at the message as instinct howled, making me swipe out of it and type a message to the only person who could help us now.

I think we’re in trouble. I need help. NOW.

I hit send and waited for a second, but then a red warning light appeared.

Message failed to send.

“What the fuck?” My breaths raced as I pressed the button again…and again…and again.

Each time, the red message glowed.

“Terrible reception we’re having at the moment.”

I jerked my head up as Coulter just smirked and walked past. The cafeteria was empty now, the Daughters long gone. The sight of those empty seats shocked me back to reality. They were gone…they were gone!

I spun around, but found nothing but the fading sound of Coulter’s steps. I yanked my cell upward and stared at the screen, then started walking.

They were blocking the calls and the messages.

But why?