Austin's POV

The door creaked open with a slow, echoing groan. A cold draft rolled out, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood and disinfectant.

Lisa stepped through, glancing back at me with that same hollow smile. “Come in, Austin,” she said softly.

Every instinct screamed at me not to. But I had to find Ruby. The moment I did, something felt wrong. There were restraints on the walls, steel tables, and syringes scattered across trays.

My pulse quickened. I started to shift, calling on ...