Chapter 42: Taking a Stand
299words
"That is… unfortunate," Richard said, pressing a button on his desk. Two guards entered immediately. "Take my granddaughter back to her original accommodations. Perhaps a few days without comfort will remind her where her loyalties should lie."
As the guards led me away, I felt a strange sense of relief despite knowing I'd just sacrificed my relative freedom. I could no longer pretend to be something I wasn't—a Hayes hunter willing to destroy innocent lives.
I was returned to the same underground chamber where I'd first been held, once again bound to the metal chair. But this time, something was different. This time, I knew help was coming.
Hours later, the door opened, and Sophia slipped in, looking nervous.
"They're moving forward with the field test," she whispered. "Tomorrow at dawn."
"We have to stop them," I said urgently. "Sophia, those people—"
"I know," she interrupted. "I've been… thinking about what you said. About choosing sides." She hesitated, then continued, "I accessed Grandfather's files. I saw what really happened to your parents. To Elizabeth."
"And?" I prompted when she fell silent.
"She didn't just get caught in crossfire," Sophia said, her voice tight with emotion. "They executed her. For loving a werewolf. For having you." She met my eyes, her own filled with conflict. "That's not who I want to be."
Hope surged within me. "Then help me stop this. Please."
Sophia nodded, her decision made. "Your friends are coming tonight. There's a shift change at midnight—security will be lightest then." She pressed something cold and metallic into my hand. "A key to your restraints. Wait until you hear the alarm."
"Thank you," I said fervently. "Come with us when we go."
